CAAS Unit, Institute of Japan Studies, African Studies Center, and Institute of Transcultural Studies will hold a workshop on cults and spirits on January 23, 2020. Dr. Yasuo Matsunami, our specially appointed researcher, will also give a presentation on spirit posession in Ethiopia.

This interdisciplinary workshop was set up with two main objectives: a) to display some of the interesting research conducted at TUFS and b) to bring both faculty and students together in a relaxed atmosphere. Please join us on:

◆Title: Contemporary Spirit(ual) Cults: Revival or Continuity? - An Interdisciplinary Workshop

◆Date & Time: Thursday, January 23, 2020 3:00 - 5:30 pm

◆Venue: Room 104, Research and Lecture Building

◆Programme:
Chair: Dr. Iris Haukamp (Lecturer, Institute of Japan Studies) and Prof. Shinichi Takeuchi (Director and Professor, African Studies Center)

3:00 - 3:20 pm　Prof. Ratana Tosakul (Retired Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Sociology & Anthropology, Thammasat University; TUFS Open Academy)
"The Spirit Cults of Baby Ghosts in Globalized Thailand"

3:20 - 3:40 pm　Dr. Yasuo Matsunami (Specially Appointed Researcher, African Studies Center)
"Healing Ritual or Cause of Suffering: Spirit Possession in Rural Ethiopia"

3:40 - 4:00 pm　Dr. Fabio Gygi (Lecturer, SOAS; Visiting Professor, Institute of Japan Studies)
"Re-enchanting the Doll: Ningyō Kuyō and the Return of Animism"

4:00 - 4:20 pm　Prof. Tsutomu Tomotsune (Professor, Institute of Japan Studies)
"Decoding Asahara Shoko's Prison Notes: Aum Shinrikyo and Its Disciples"

4:20 - 4:35 pm　Comment: Dr. Kosit Tiptiempong (Lecturer, Institute of Global Studies)

4:35 - 4:50 pm　Comment: Dr. Takanori Oishi (Lecturer, African Studies Center)

4:50 - 5:30 pm　General discussion

◆Language: English

◆Admission: Free

◆No pre-registration is needed.

◆Jointly organized by CAAS Unit, Institute of Japan Studies, African Studies Center, and Institute of Transcultural Studies