Japanese Religion in Film

[Aaron Gerow]

Some of the responses here bring up an interesting question.

Many have been citing cases in which religion (its institutions or 
symbols) is represented in film, like the sadistic nun films. 
Accumulating such a list is important if one wants to think about 
issues of representation, but one could argue that the issue of 
representing religion in film is different from the issue of embodying 
religiosity in cinema. For instance, we can cite hundreds of anime and 
horror films that use as narrative material ghosts or demons or other 
elements from Japanese folklore, but do those really embody a 
society-wide belief in such an animistic, spirit filled world? Just 
because Dawn of the Dead was popular, does that mean that people in 
America all believe in zombies? Can't we argue that many of the signs 
of religion that appear in Japanese film, especially much genre cinema, 
are less embodiments of religiosity (of the beliefs of filmmakers or 
audiences) than simple genre conventions--part of the system of 
suspending disbelief? Especially if we accept the claim that 
contemporary Japanese show a low commitment to religious belief, 
religion in Japanese film might serve other purposes (ideological, 
historical, political, etc.) than to manifest faith or belief.

If that is the case, which films can we cite that truly embody Japanese 
religiosity? What about those films distinguishes them from those that 
use religion merely as narrative fodder? (And just why do so many films 
seem to use religion as narrative material even if the filmmakers and 
audience might not necessarily believe in that religion?)

Aaron Gerow
KineJapan owner

Assistant Professor
Film Studies Program/East Asian Languages and Literatures
Yale University

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