Christian, Buddhist, and Confucian Protests Against Military Bases in Okinawa: A Study of Seven Religious Leaders

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Year:
Pages:216
ISBN:0-7734-5081-5
978-0-7734-5081-3
Price:$179.95 + shipping
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This work examines the relationship between religion and protest on the Japanese island of Okinawa by analyzing the intertwining of various religious beliefs, colonialism, and politics in the region.

Reviews

“ . . . [a] well researched summary of the spiritual sources that continue to inspire seven Okinawan personalities to protests against the U.S. bases and the demeaning effects of militarism. It should be of interest to indigenous people who host a large foreign presence, political activists in their dealings with entrenched policies, scholars who study the impact of spiritual traditions on current concerns, and people of goodwill who believe in fair play and justice.” - Prof. Ronald Y. Nakasone, Graduate Theological Union

“At the broadest level, this is an analysis of the role of religion in protests against injustice. As such, it has much to teach us about the use of religious movements to advance the cause of justice in all times and places. At a more detailed level, Dr. Hunt provides a fine-grained look at the very complicated picture in this specific time and place.” - Prof. D. Don Welch, Vanderbilt University

“Hunt’s work follows the contours and dynamics of the interactions of religions, war, and pacificism in a high-stakes multi-cultural context with significant ramifications for international power relations today. It is an example of how people who have (had) to struggle against powers with tremendous military force continue to work for peace.” - Prof. Paula K.R. Arai, Louisiana State University

Table of Contents

Preface by Ronald Y. Nakasone
Introduction
1. Ryukyuan Kingdom and Indigenous Religion of Ryukyu Islands
2. Satsuma Conquest and Confucian World View
3. Japanese Annexation
4. Battle of Okinawa
5. American Colony: Protests Over Land Seizures
6. Reversion to Japan
7. Post-Reversion Okinawa and 1995 Rape
8. Itokazu Keiko and Lessons of War
9. Chibana Shoichi as “Unpatriotic” Man “Ringing the Bell”
10. Arasaki Moriteru: Philosopher Who Disappoints His Family
11. Oshiro Minoru: Crippled Minister
12. Taira Osamu: Minister Who Grasped Steering Wheel
13. Ota Masahide, Okinawa’s Professor Governor
14. Takazato Suzuyo And Military’s Abuse of Women
15. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

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