Stephen Renshaw

Kanda University of International Studies

Abstract

The Inspiration of Subaru as a Symbol of Values and Traditions in Japan

Apart from its identification with a car company, Subaru is known throughout the world as the Japanese name for the Pleiades. While an inspiration to citizens of these islands for centuries, the breadth of historical folklore and legend related to the asterism remains largely unknown, even to modern Japanese. Historically influenced by Chinese cosmology, imagery related to Subaru quickly developed to reflect many traditional Japanese values, and its seasonal appearance served as a practical guide for numerous cultural activities. This presentation provides an analysis of the history and complexity of Japanese symbolism related to this asterism.
The presentation concentrates on: (1) astronomical and seasonal significance of the asterism as reflected in early Chinese and Japanese cosmology, (2) etymology of the Japanese word Subaru and associations with the legend of the sun goddess Amaterasu, (3) lore related to practical uses of Subaru as a seasonal marker for agriculture and fishing, (4) historical symbolism of the perceived number of stars in Subaru and associations with clan identification and other social relationships, (5) uses of the asterism as a symbol of social unity and nationalism, and (6) modern associations with Japanese identity and commerce. 

 

PowerPoint of Stephen's presentation

Biographical Details

Stephen Renshaw is professor of Communication and Cultural Studies at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba Japan. He has a BA in mathematics and an MA and PhD in communication and social psychology. He has conducted research in the history of astronomy in Japan as well as the significance of astronomical phenomena in the history and development of Japanese culture. Articles have appeared  in Archaeoastronomy: the Journal of Astronomy in Culture, Griffith Observer, Astronomy Across Cultures, and the Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomy.