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Gender and Religion Research Centre Seminar Friday 19th January 2001 13:00-14:30, Room 336, Main Building, School of Oriental and African Studies Nyonin Kinsei: Ritual Exclusion of Women in Japan Dr Gaynor Sekimori, Centre for the Study of Japanese Religions, SOAS The phenomenon of the exclusion of women in Japan from certain ritual areas continues to the present day, and on occasion attracts intense media attention. A notorious case occurred several years ago when the Cabinet Secretary, a woman, was unable, as tradition demands, to present the chief prize at the Sumo tournament because females are excluded from entry into the sumo ring. This presentation looks at the phenomenon from both an historical and a phenomenological viewpoint, and attempts to trace within Japanese religion its sources. Particular attention will be paid to the role of women within mountain religion (Shugendo), where exclusion is maintained in several areas, and examples of exclusion and the dynamics whereby it has (or has not) been resolved will be given. Dr Sekimori's research interests include Shugendo, Japanese combinatory religion (shinbutsu shugo), women and religion, Meiji period separation of kami and Buddha worship (shinbutsu bunri), and English Reformation history from a comparative viewpoint. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.