The Okinawan new religion Ijun: Innovation and diversity in the gender of the ritual specialist
Christopher A. Reichl
November 1, 1993 DOI: 10.18874/jjrs.20.4.1993.311-331 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the New Religion Ijun replaced female ritual leaders with males despite Okinawan traditions of female religious leadership and shamanic healing, and that overseas branches show greater diversity in the gender of ritual specialists than the home organization. Contends that religious ideology is reformulated when practical considerations are seen to necessitate innovative change. |
Abstract
This paper clari3es the general principle by which the New Religions combine traditional and innovative features, analyzing the way in which the New Religion Ijun has dealt with tradition and innovation in the gender of the ritual specialist. Of interest are the tradition of female leadership in Okinawan religious ritual and shamanic healing, the replacement of female leaders by males in the ritual of this newly founded religion, and the changing view of gender in Okinawan culture that this shift reμects. I 3nd evidence of greater diversity in the gender of the ritual specialist in overseas branches than in the home organization, and argue that religious ideology is reformulated when practical considerations are seen to necessitate innovative change. REICHL: The Okinawan New Religion Ijun 331