(Japan Series) Prof Kikuko Hirafuji – Japanese Mythology Across Cultures: Gods, Encounters, and Global Views

This lecture introduces the myths and gods of Japan in a cross-cultural perspective. It will explore how Japanese mythology has been compared with traditions from other regions, how it was first presented in Britain, and how Japanese deities have been represented and reinterpreted over time. Finally, the talk will consider how these gods are understood in the contemporary world, showing the continuing significance of Japanese mythology in a global context.

Kikuko Hirafuji is Professor of Shinto Studies at Kokugakuin University in Tokyo and a Visiting Scholar at SOAS, University of London. She specializes in Japanese mythology and religious culture, exploring how myths have been reinterpreted across history, art, and contemporary popular culture.