Title: Shamanism and the origin of states : spirit, power, and gender in East Asia /
Authors: Nelson, Sarah M., 1931-
Publisher: Left Coast Press,
Year: 2008
Subjects: Shamanism East Asia.; Mythology, Asian.; Religion and state East Asia.; Sex role East Asia.; East Asia Religious life and customs.
Abstract: Sarah Milledge Nelson's bold thesis is that the development of states in East Asia - China, Japan, Korea - was an outgrowth of the leadership in smaller communities guided by shamans.
Contents: Orientation to shamanism and the origin of states : spirit, power, and gender in East Asia -- Landscapes, legends, and skyscapes -- What is a shaman? -- Power, leadership, and gender -- Shamanism in the East Asian neolithic -- Shamanism in early Chinese states -- Shamanism in Korea -- Shamanism in the Japanese islands -- Retying the knots : leadership, ideology, cultural patterns, gender, and shamans in East Asia.