The “spirit of a place linked to bones”: Zenkoji temple, where the men’s spirits come back to their ex-bodies after death

Tsuchimoto, Toshikazu (2008) The “spirit of a place linked to bones”: Zenkoji temple, where the men’s spirits come back to their ex-bodies after death. In: 16th ICOMOS General Assembly and International Symposium: ‘Finding the spirit of place – between the tangible and the intangible’, 29 sept – 4 oct 2008, Quebec, Canada. [Conference or Workshop Item]

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Abstract (in English)

There are two types in the “spirit of place”, one “linked to bones” and the other “not linked to bones”. “Places not linked to bones” relate to the gods' spirits and their intangible bodies, while “places linked to bones” relate to the spirits of the dead and their tangible ex-bodies. Although flesh disappears after death, bones and spirit remain eternally. The spirit with its intangible body comes back to its bones after death. In Japan, “places not linked to bones” are associated to the Shinto religion, while “places linked to bones” are associated to Buddhism. Zenkoji, one of the country’s largest Buddhist temples, relating both to intangible spirits and to tangible remains, is also the most typical of “places linked to bones”. Dating from ancient times, Zenkoji has changed much like Proteus. Such a dynamic transformation reflects how this place has accepted deaths over centuries in tolerance and without discrimination.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Authors:	Authors Email Tsuchimoto, Toshikazu UNSPECIFIED
Languages:	English
Keywords:	temples; intangible heritage; spirit of place
Subjects:	H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 09. Historic buildings O. INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 01. Generalities H. HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 19A. Places of religion and ritual
Name of monument, town, site, museum:	Zenkoji temple, Japan
ICOMOS Special Collection:	Scientific Symposium (ICOMOS General Assemblies)
ICOMOS Special Collection Volume:	2008, 16th
Depositing User:	Jose Garcia
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2010 18:25
Last Modified:	30 Aug 2023 14:06
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URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/109

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