Laura Miller, "Occult Hunting and Supernatural Play in Japan" (U Hawaii Press, 2024)
Apr 13, 2025
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Laura Miller, author of "Occult Hunting and Supernatural Play in Japan," dives into the fascinating intersection of capitalism and spirituality in contemporary Japan. She highlights how younger women are key players in the religious entertainment industry, merging personal exploration with supernatural experiences. Miller discusses how occult practices not only challenge traditional gender roles but also foster social connections and personal well-being. This rich analysis reveals how playfulness and tradition coexist, reflecting deeper societal values and aspirations.
Laura Miller explores how women in Japan are pivotal in creating religiously flavored entertainment that promotes self-exploration and agency.
The practice of omikuji offers personal guidance and experiential fulfillment, allowing individuals to engage playfully with divination and decision-making.
Japan's power spots combine traditional sacred spaces with modern spirituality, encouraging personal reflection and renewal in diverse urban settings.
Deep dives
Exploring Occult and Supernatural Practices
Occult practices, particularly in Japan, encompass a range of activities that stretch beyond traditional religious frameworks, highlighting their cultural significance. This includes practices like divination, where women often lead in exploring religiously-infused entertainment avenues, such as visiting divination shops or engaging with tarot cards. This realm of supernatural play emphasizes enjoyment and experiential fulfillment, rather than mere belief. Researchers note that these practices foster social bonds and personal development, particularly among women seeking agency in a complex spiritual landscape.
The Significance of Divination
Divination, particularly through omikuji, plays a critical role in Japanese culture, serving as a method for individuals to explore personal dilemmas and decision-making processes. Omikuji can offer guidance rather than forecasts, allowing individuals to engage in playful experimentation with predictions that often contain a mix of outcomes. The popularity of various forms of omikuji, including creative interactive versions that attract female participants, highlights how divination has evolved into a social activity. This practice also provides an avenue for expression, particularly in contexts where traditional psychotherapy may be less accessible.
The Role of Women in Shaping Spiritual Landscapes
The engagement of women in religious and spiritual activities, particularly within material religion, has revitalized the spiritual landscape in Japan. Women significantly influence the development and commercialization of these practices, as seen in the popularity of cute religious artifacts and rituals. The design and promotion of these items often cater to women’s preferences, encouraging a sense of connection and agency. As a result, the narrative surrounding women in spirituality shifts from being seen as naive consumers to active participants shaping contemporary religious experiences.
Understanding Power Spots
Power spots have emerged as significant locations where individuals seek spiritual rejuvenation and positive energy, combining traditional sacred spaces with modern New Age conceptualizations. These spots are not only natural landmarks but also urban locations, demonstrating how spiritual significance can arise from diverse settings. Individuals visiting power spots typically engage in activities aimed at personal reflection and renewal, rather than conventional prayers for material desires. This trend underscores the role of personal agency, as visitors tailor their experiences at these sites to fit their individual spiritual needs and desires.
The Intersection of Religion and Contemporary Culture
The intersection of religion, gender, and commercialism illustrates how modern practices in Japan adapt traditional beliefs to contemporary cultural landscapes. The influence of popular culture, particularly in the depiction of religious objects and practices, has redefined engagement with spirituality, making it more accessible and relatable. This phenomenon reflects a broader societal shift towards personalized forms of spirituality that often embrace consumerism while seeking meaningful experiences. Ultimately, the evolution of these practices highlights the dynamic interaction between tradition and modernity in shaping Japan's spiritual and cultural identity.
In Occult Hunting and Supernatural Play in Japan(Hawaii 2024), Laura Miller examines the intersections of ludic capitalism with formal and informal religious practices and beliefs in contemporary Japan. Miller shows that women―often younger women―are the primary drivers of industries of religiously flavored entertainment that offer avenues of self-exploration and spiritual capital that are marketed to appeal first and foremost to women “hunters” engaged in supernatural play. Miller’s eclectically interdisciplinary analysis reveals the ways that supernatural play, incorporated into the fabric of everyday life in contemporary Japan, can contribute to social and personal wellbeing for these seekers. The book will appeal to readers interested in religion, material culture, media, gender, and more.
