Koshin Cult/Pokemon

Question 1

What did the Koshin cult believe in?

Answer 1

3 monkeys (from sanno)
source of the belief: confucius's analects 
combo of daoism and shinto

Question 2

In the Koshin cult, what was the role of the three worms?

Answer 2

Sanshi

• live in our body report crimes to the heavenly emperor (tentei)
• true worshipers of Sanno will be rewarded with his protection: monkeys make sure worms cannot tell/hear your sins

Question 3

What are the history of yokai in japan?

Answer 3

japanese monsters

• mysterious, supernatural phenomena
• appear in Kojiki, Nihon shoki
• important in edo encyclopedias: Honzogaku (med) and Hakubutsugaku (natural) - origin of pokedex

Question 4

How did yokai develop during the Tokugawa period?

Answer 4

similar to the enlightenment age, they developed encyclopedias that became critical methods for comprehending the world

Question 5

What is the relationship between pokemon and “other world” (ikai)?

Answer 5

• pokemon gives us access to the unseen world
• sometimes interfaces with our own (think when we play pokemon go)
• other world of yokai is expressive of a fundamental longing for something beyond that is immediately visible and available

Question 6

Describe the relationship between Ninetales and the Nine-tailed fox

Answer 6

9 tailed fox: demonic, can die 9x
ninetales: live for 1000 years, curse people
fox fire = lights appear mysteriously = will o the wisp

Question 7

Describe the Legend of Tamamo no Mae

Answer 7

9 tailed fox that transformed into a woman

• misleads emperor, interferes with rule
• people exorcise her, get fox
• runs away

Question 8

What are Tsukumogami and what are their relationship to pokemon?

Answer 8

idea that objects are animated

- there are a handful of pokemon that resemble objects