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Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia: Introductory Remarks

Lukas K. Pokorny, Franz Winter

Numen December 12, 2023 DOI: 10.1163/15685276-20231711 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Keywords Linguistics
Key points Argues that esoteric readings of East Asian ideas and practices have played a salient role in co-shaping their Western reception history.

Abstract

This article introduces the special issue “Euro-American Esoteric Readings of East Asia.” First, the genesis of the special issue is explained, after which working definitions of the key terminology are given, namely, “East Asia,” “Euro-American,” “Western,” and “esotericism.” Next, the rationale of the special issue as well as short synopses of its five contributions are presented. The article argues that esoteric readings of things East Asia have saliently coshaped their Western reception history.