Monotheism in the New Religious Movements of Japan

This book calls for a reformation of the image of monotheism in studies of Japanese religions and in the study of religions in general. According to most scholars, “Japan” and “monotheism” mix like oil and water. Whatever Japanese religion is, we are told, the “Western” category of monotheism cannot not be imposed. The predominance of this standard ruling makes critical the study of Japan’s new religious movements (NRMs)—exemplified in this volume by Kurozumikyō, Tenrikyō, and Konkōkyō, which ha