Japanese Religion in Film

[Michael E Kerpan Jr.]

On Wednesday 13 April 2005 15:08, Bernardi-Buralli wrote:

> Miyazawa Kenji, the author of the story on which _Night on the Galactic
> Railway_ was based, advocated (or at least was fascinated with the
> possibility of) a spirituality that was a fusion of Buddhist and Christian
> (and scientific) belief. Judeo-Christian symbology is rampant in his work
> (and in the film), but that symbology is (or at least is believed to have
> been) part of his personal belief system.

To a large extent, "Haibane Renmei" follows in Miyazawa's footsteps. 
Yoshitoshi Abe (the author and well as "illustrator") is, however, VERY 
reticent about his own beliefs and how they affected his show.  The series 
deals with issues like the nature of sin (and guilt) and the relative 
importance of faith and works for salvation. Nonetheless, the context is as 
much Buddhist as Christian.

MEK