Updated on 2024/12/21

写真a

 
TRENSON, Steven
 
Affiliation
Faculty of International Research and Education, School of International Liberal Studies
Job title
Professor
Degree
Ph.D. ( Kyoto University )
Master's Degree ( Kyoto University )
Master's Degree ( Ghent University )
Profile

My research focuses on the history of Esoteric Buddhism (Mikkyō) in Japan, in particular on the interaction between Esoteric Buddhism and Shinto in the premodern period. In the past few years, I have examined various beliefs and practices related to dragon deities and established their primary position, both in terms of doctrine and practice, in medieval Shingon Buddhism. My current research project involves a reassessment of medieval Shinto from the point of view of Esoteric Buddhist dragon cults. Apart from this research, I also investigate the relationship between Buddhist thought and Japanese traditional arts.

Research Experience

  • 2014.04
    -
    2018.03

    Hiroshima University   Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences   Associate Professor

  • 2013.04
    -
    2014.03

    Kyoto University   Hakubi Center   Hakubi Fellow

  • 2010.09
    -
    2013.03

    Kyoto University   Institute for the Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education   Specially Appointed Associate Professor

  • 2008.10
    -
    2010.08

    Kyoto University   Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies   JSPS Research Fellow

  • 2006.04
    -
    2008.09

    Kyoto University of Foreign Studies   Faculty of Foreign Studies   Lecturer

Education Background

  • 2000.04
    -
    2006.03

    Kyoto University   Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies   Social Cultural History  

  • 1994.09
    -
    1998.08

    Ghent University   Faculty of Letters   Department of Oriental Languages and Cultures  

Research Areas

  • Religious studies / Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy and Buddhist philosophy / Japanese history

Research Interests

  • Medieval Shinto

  • History of Japanese Buddhism

  • History of Japanese Religions

 

Papers

  • Embodying Enlightenment as Mother and Consort: Female Symbolism in Medieval Japanese Buddhist Visions of Kingship

    Steven Trenson

    Japanese Religions   46 ( 1 ) 35 - 64  2024.10  [Refereed]

  • The Black Jewel of Shingon Tradition: A Historical Examination of Its Emergence, Characteristics, and Associated Rituals

    Steven Trenson

    The Eastern Buddhist. Third series   3 ( 1 ) 27 - 66  2023.07  [Refereed]

    DOI

  • Rice, Relics, and Jewels: The Network and Agency of Rice Grains in Medieval Japanese Esoteric Buddhism

    Steven Trenson

    Japanese Journal of Religious Studies   45 ( 2 ) 269 - 307  2018  [Refereed]

    DOI

    Scopus

    1
    Citation
    (Scopus)

  • “Shingon Divination Board Rituals and Rainmaking.”

    Steven Trenson

    Cahiers d’Extrême Asie   21   107 - 134  2013  [Refereed]

  • Buddhism and Martial Arts in Premodern Japan: New Observations from a Religious Historical Perspective

    Steven Trenson

    Religions   13 ( 440 ) 1 - 23  2022.05  [Refereed]

    DOI

    Scopus

    1
    Citation
    (Scopus)

  • Review of: Gaétan Rappo, Rhétoriques de l’hérésie dans le Japon médiéval et moderne: Le moine Monkan (1278–1357) et sa réputation posthume

    Steven Trenson

    Japanese Journal of Religious Studies   47 ( 1 ) 177 - 182  2020.12

    DOI

  • Review of: "Gods of Medieval Japan: Vol. 1, The Fluid Pantheon; Vol. 2, Protectors and Predators by Bernard Faure"

    Steven Trenson

    The Journal of Japanese Studies   44 ( 1 ) 173 - 181  2018.01

    DOI

  • “Heike-nōkyō kyōbako ishō no ichikōsatsu: Daigoji no ryūjin shinkō no shiza yori”

    Steven Trenson

    Ningen bunka kenkyū   9   1 - 20  2017

  • “Cutting Serpents: Esoteric Buddhist Dimensions of the Classical Martial Art of Drawing the Sword.”

    Steven Trenson

    Analecta Nipponica   4   31 - 51  2014

  • “Shinsen’en ni okeru Shingon mikkyō kiuhō no rekishi to Zennyo ryūō no densetsu”

    Ajia Yūgaku (Intriguing ASIA)   79 ( 79 ) 72 - 95  2005

    CiNii

  • “Shōugyōhō to Kujakukyōhō no kenkyū: Shinsen’en ni okeru Kujakukyōhō jisshūsetsu he no gimon”

    Bukkyō shigaku kenkyū   46 ( 2 ) 23 - 48  2003

    CiNii

  • “Une analyse critique de l'histoire du Shōugyō-hō et du Kujakukyō-hō: rites ésotériques de la pluie dans le Japon de l'époque de Heian.”

    Cahiers d'Extrême-Asie   13   455 - 495  2003

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Books and Other Publications

  • Buddhist Encounters and Identities Across East Asia

    Ann Heirman, Carmen Meinert, Christoph Anderl( Part： Contributor, Chapter 4 "A Study on the Combination of the Deities Fudō and Aizen in Medieval Shingon Esoteric Buddhism" (pp. 108-136))

    Brill  2018 ISBN: 9789004366152

  • Kiu, hōju, ryū: Chūsei Shingon mikkyō no shinsō

    Steven Trenson( Part： Sole author)

    Kyoto Daigaku Gakujutsu Shuppankai  2016 ISBN: 9784814000197

  • Girei no chikara: Chūsei shūkyō no jissen sekai

    Dolce, Lucia, Matsumoto, Ikuyo( Part： Contributor, Chapter 7 "Daigoji ni okeru kiu no kakuritsu to Seiryūshin shinkō" (pp. 231-270))

    Hozokan  2010.04 ISBN: 9784831876706

  • Musō Jikiden Eishin-Ryū: The Iai Forms and Oral Traditions of the Yamauchi Branch

    Yamakoshi Masaki, Tsukimoto Kazutake, tr. Steven Trenson

    Maruzen Kyoto Shuppan Sābisu Sentā  2004 ISBN: 4944229488

Presentations

  • Divine Mothers and Consorts: A New Perspective on Royal Consecration Rituals in the Shingon Esoteric Buddhist Tradition of Daigoji

    Steven Trenson

    EAJS 2023 Conference. August 17-20, 2023. Ghent University, Belgium. 

    Presentation date： 2023.08

  • 聖王と玉女―醍醐寺の法流に伝わる即位灌頂儀礼（即位法）への新視点

    スティーブン・トレンソン

    前近代日本宗教ワークショップ(PJRW)「鎌倉仏教の新知見」 

    Presentation date： 2023.08

  • The Dragon and the Kami: Exploring the Connections Between the Esoteric Buddhist Tradition of Daigoji and Medieval Shinto

    Steven Trenson

    XIXth Congress of the International Association of Buddhist Studies (IABS). August 15-19, 2022. Seoul National University, South Korea. 

    Presentation date： 2022.08

    Event date：
    2022.08
    　
    　

  • The Divine Mother and Consort: A New Perspective on Medieval Japanese Esoteric Buddhist Visions of Sacred Kingship

    International Symposium "Objects, Texts, and Rituals: Multi-Disciplinary Approaches to the Transmission of Esoteric Buddhism," November 18-19, 2021, National Chengchi University, Taiwan (Online) 

    Presentation date： 2021.11

  • The Dragon and the Emperor: Rainmaking and Divine Kingship in Medieval Japanese Esoteric Buddhism

    Steven Trenson

    AAS 2021 Virtual Annual Conference, March 21-26, 2021 

    Presentation date： 2021.03

  • Relic, Ritual, and Enlightenment: The Establishment of Jewel Rituals in Medieval Shingon Buddhism and the Role of Relics in the Realization of Bodily Buddhahood

    Steven Trenson

    International Conference on "Esoteric Buddhism and East Asian Society," March 7-8, 2020, University of British Columbia, Vancouver 

    Presentation date： 2020.03

  • The Quest for Truth and Invective Behavior in a Medieval Japanese Buddhist Context: Original Enlightenment Thought as a Form of Postmodern Relativism

    Steven Trenson

    Workshop "Insults, Hate Speech, and Denigration: Invective Communication and the Dynamization of Social Order," February 3 & 4, 2020, Université libre de Bruxelles 

    Presentation date： 2020.02

  • The Question of “Perverse Teachings” (Jakyō) in Medieval Shingon Discourse: Focusing on Sexual Symbolisms in the Daigo and Ono Lineages

    Steven Trenson

    The 3rd EAJS Conference in Japan, September 14-15, University of Tsukuba 

    Presentation date： 2019.09

  • “Kome, shari, hōju: Chūsei Nihon no Mikkyō ni okeru kometsubu no ējenshī to nettowāku.”

    Steven Trenson

    Public Seminar organized by the Research Center of International Japanese Studies at Hōsei University  (Tokyo)  Research Center of International Japanese Studies at Hōsei University

    Presentation date： 2018.11

  • "Rice, Relics, and Stūpas: The Sacredness of Rice Grains in Medieval Japanese Esoteric Buddhist Practice."

    Steven Trenson

    15th EAJS International Conference  (Lisbon)  EAJS, New University of Lisbon

    Presentation date： 2017.08

  • “The Universe Inside a Rice Bowl: Prolegomena to the Sacredness of Rice Grains in Medieval Japanese Esoteric Buddhism.”

    Steven Trenson

    Sophia University Institute of Comparative Culture workshop “Rites, Rice, and Rokuji Myōō”  (Tokyo)  Sophia University

    Presentation date： 2016.07

  • “‘Dhatu-hō kudenshū’ jō chū ge”

    Steven Trenson

    International Workshop “Buddhist Ceremonies and Space”  (Kyoto)  Kyoto University

    Presentation date： 2015.10

  • “Chūsei Shingon mikkyō kiuhō no shari/hōju shinkō to chūsei shintō to no kankei wo megutte.”

    Steven Trenson

    “Tabunya fukugō no shikaku kara mita Nihon bukkyō kokusaiteki kenkyū” [International research on Japanese Buddhism from a multi-disciplinary perspective]  (Tokyo)  Waseda University

    Presentation date： 2015.01

  • “The Concept of the ‘Mother of All the Buddhas’ in Medieval Shingon Esoteric Buddhism: Some Universal and Particular Aspects.”

    Steven Trenson

    International Conference “Bouddhisme et universalisme – Bukkyō to fuhen shugi”  (Kyoto)  EFEO Kyoto Office

    Presentation date： 2014.10

  • “‘Living Buddhas’: The Story of the Self-mummifying Ascetics at Mount Yudono.”

    Steven Trenson

    International Conference “The Processes of Dying in the Ancient Greek World”  (Kyoto)  Kyoto University

    Presentation date： 2014.09

  • “A New Perspective on the Historical Emergence of the Tripartite Wish-fulfilling Jewel Cult in Medieval Shingon Buddhism.”

    Steven Trenson

    The 14th International Conference of EAJS  (Ljubljana)  University of Ljubljana

    Presentation date： 2014.08

  • “The Place and Significance of the Esoteric Rain Ritual in Medieval Shingon Tradition.”

    Steven Trenson

    Workshop "New Directions in Medieval and Early Japan Studies"  (Los Angeles)  University of Southern California

    Presentation date： 2014.04

  • “Chūsei Shingon mikkyō ni okeru sanzon keishiki no shari/hōjuhō no kigen ni tsuite.”

    Steven Trenson

    Society of the History of Buddhism  (Kyoto)  Ryūkoku University

    Presentation date： 2014.02

  • “On the Roots of the Non-dualism of Aizen and Fudō in Medieval Shingon Buddhism.”

    Steven Trenson

    International Conference "Network and Identity: Exchange Relations between China and the World"  (Ghent)  Ghent University

    Presentation date： 2013.12

  • “Cutting Serpents: Esoteric Buddhist Dimensions of the Classical Martial Art of Drawing the Sword.”

    Steven Trenson

    International Conference "Japanese Civilization: Tokens and Manifestations"  (Krakow)  Manggha Museum

    Presentation date： 2013.11

  • “Interpretations and Transformations of ‘the Mother of all the Buddhas’ in Medieval Shingon Buddhism.”

    Steven Trenson

    (London)  SOAS

    Presentation date： 2013.03

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Research Projects

  • A Research Study of Medieval Shinto Texts Archived at the Shinpukuji Temple

    Japan Society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Project Year :

    2018.04
    -
    2021.03
     

  • Research on the History of Esoteric Buddhist and Shinto Interactions in Medieval Japan

    Japan society for the Promotion of Science  Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Project Year :

    2014.04
    -
    2017.03
     

    　View Summary

    This research project focused on the history of esoteric Buddhist and Shinto interactions in medieval Japan from the viewpoint of dragon cults. During the medieval period, kami cults combined with esoteric Buddhist thought in various ways, which resulted in the formation of a number of medieval Shinto lineages. However, there are still many unsolved issues regarding the historical processes behind the establishment of medieval Shinto. The current scholarly consensus is that medieval Shinto first emerged in the area around the Ise shrines and then from there spread to other places such as Mount Muro and Mount Miwa. The present research, however, started out from the observation that medieval Shinto is largely founded on dragon beliefs and therefore reconsidered a number of medieval Shinto issues from the perspective of Daigoji's dragon cult. As a result, it was clarified that Daigoji's esotericism had an important influence on the development of medieval Shinto

 

Syllabus

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Internal Special Research Projects

  • 中世日本即位灌頂儀礼の再検討―『瑜祇経』の視点から―

    2023  

    　View Summary

    本研究では、中世日本の密教儀礼の一形態である即位法（即位灌頂を中心とする密教修法）に注目し、その儀礼を裏付けていた密教思想を論考した。即位灌頂とは、新天皇が高御座を登る時に行う密教的作法（印を結び、真言を唱えるという作法）のことである。初見は1068年の後三条天皇の即位礼であるが、本格的に即位灌頂が確立したのは十三世紀末、伏見天皇の即位の際である。しかし、すでに十三世紀以前に密教の諸寺院内において天皇が即位の際に行うとされる印や真言について様々な秘説や即位法が作られ、伝授されていた。その秘説や即位法の言説において、日本密教の最も重要な経典の一つである『瑜祇経』からの影響が見られる。そのことはすでに多くの先行研究において指摘された通りであるが、本研究では、改めて即位灌頂の秘説及び即位法と『瑜祇経』との思想的関係を考察し、即位法の宗教的意義に新たな光を投じた。具体的に言えば、天台宗の僧・慈円筆『夢想記』の王権観や醍醐寺地蔵院流の即位法（四海領掌法）の言説の分析により、それらの言説が『瑜祇経』に記される仏眼信仰や愛染王信仰に基づいた様々な解釈によって裏打ちされていたことを判明し、特に本経の「仏母」信仰の多様性と意義を明らかにした。この研究成果は今年中に英文の国際学術雑誌に発表される予定である。

  • 中世神道の源流に関する一考察ー大嘗祭と鎮魂祭を手掛かりとしてー

    2018  

    　View Summary

    本研究では鎮魂祭（大嘗祭）を中心に中世の密教と神道の交渉について考究した。古代の大嘗祭では稲の霊魂が重要視されていたようである。また、一説では大嘗祭で天皇霊が新しい生命力を浴びるとされている。中世には、神道の鎮魂祭が陰陽道の招魂祭とほぼ同じような機能を果たしていたが、招魂祭は密教の招魂延命法とも関係を結んでいた。それらの儀礼では人から遊離する魂を呼び戻すことによってその人の息災延命が祈願されていたが、いずれの儀礼でも「衣」と「米」が重要な要素であった。特に、招魂祭において衣に米の嚢が附けられていたことは興味深い。「米」を軸として上記の三つの儀礼が思想的に繋がれていたと推察されるのである。