It was for the first time that the International Shinto Foundation (ISF) organised its International Symposium in Russia, with the co-operation of the Institute of Afro-Asian Studies, Moscow State University. The 8th International ISF Symposium was dedicated to the important subject of "Shinto and Japanese Culture" and demonstrated new progress in international Shinto studies, especially involving Russia and Eastern European countries (Ukraine, Bulgaria).

                       

     The 8th International ISF symposium was hosted by the Institute of Afro-Asian Studies, lodged in a beautiful 18th-century building, the oldest building of the Moscow State University, near the famous Kremlin and Red Square. The two-day (September 11-12, 2002) symposium's busy schedule included more than 20 research reports, public lectures, question-and- answer exchanges and open panel discussions on current trends and problems in Shinto studies. Among the participants were almost all members of the research team that recently prepared a two-volume work, "Shinto: The Way of Japanese Kami", published in Russian (by Hyperion Publishers of Saint Petersburg) this year with the assistance and funding of the International Shinto Foundation.

     ISF was represented by Mr. Yoshimi Umeda, Director General of ISF (Tokyo), Rev. Minoru Sonoda, Chief Priest of Chichibu Shrine in Saitama (Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University), and Rev. Tsunetada Mayumi, Chief Priest of Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto (Professor Emeritus of Koggakan University).

     The first working day of the symposium was open to specialists and specially invited guests, including well-known academics, journalists, members of the Russian Parliament (Duma), and the Russia-Japan Society, etc. The first day, dedicated to research reports, demonstrated the high level and wide panorama of current Shinto studies in Russia, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

     Mr. Leonid Geveling, Deputy-Director of the Institute of Afro-Asian Studies, welcomed the symposium as a very significant academic as well as cultural event, commenting on how pleasant it was for the Institute to host such a symposium. In his opening address, Mr. Umeda briefly outlined the activities of ISF and its cooperation with Russian and European colleagues in the field of Shinto studies. He also announced that recently established ISF Representative Office in Moscow shall be the centre of the Shinto studies' network in Russia and Eastern Europe.

     The first day of the symposium was crowned by an informal and warm reception at the Italian restaurant 'Tesoro'. Mr. Umeda, Mrs. Molodiakova, Mr. Geveling, Mrs. Simonova-Gudzenko as well as following day's keynote speakers Rev. Sonoda and Rev. Mayumi delivered short kampai speeches followed by free and pleasant discussion.

     The next day's symposium was open to general public including students, members of Moscow ikebana clubs, tea-ceremony classes, etc. Mr. Geveling chaired the morning session and dedicated to Japanese traditional festivals (matsuri). The public was profoundly impressed by the 30-minute video "Japan - the land of matsuri" (in English with simultaneous Russian translation) produced by the Association of Shinto Shrines (Jinja-honcho). Mrs. Molodiakova gave a masterful commentary on matsuri, its origins, meaning and contemporary role. Speaking without notes, she introduced to the general public the colourful world of Japanese festivals just shown in the video. In his keynote presentation, Rev. Sonoda outlined the history of matsuri and their inseparable connection with local Shinto shrines from their origin up to the present day. Based on numerous rare sources, his report demonstrated the great role of shrines and festivals in the everyday life of the traditional Japanese community.

     Mr. Umeda chaired the afternoon session, which began with Rev. Mayumi's description of the major rituals of shrine transfer at Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto performed this May under his leadership as head priest. His lecture was illustrated with a wonderful 35-minute video (in Japanese) with comments by Mrs. Yermakova. Many in the audience were deeply impressed by the unprecedented spectacle of mystical Shinto ritual procedures performed in the darkness. Mrs. Tatiana Grigorieva (Moscow) added some meaningful general remarks on Shinto and Japanese culture. She concluded that Shinto must be recognised as the cornerstone of Japanese civilisation and culture. Mr. Mesheryakov spoke about his long personal experience with Shinto studies in Soviet and post-Soviet Russia, briefly outlining its current trends and further prospects.

     About one hour was dedicated to free panel discussion on the problems and prospects of Shinto studies in Russia and Eastern Europe with the cooperation of ISF and Japanese colleagues. In his concluding remarks, Mr. Umeda pronounced the symposium a great success and brought the event to a close.

     We trust that 8th International Symposium of the International Shinto Foundation "SHINTO AND JAPANESE CULTURE" marked an important step in the globalisation of Shinto studies and in the international co-operation in the field.

     ISF will publish all symposium papers in English and Japanese (in Japan) and in Russian (in Russia) in the near future.