Why would a country strongly influenced by Buddhism's reverence for life allow legalized, widely used abortion? Equally puzzling to many Westerners is the Japanese practice of mizuko rites, in which the parents of aborted fetuses pray for the well-being of these rejected "lives." In this provocative investigation, William LaFleur examines abortion as a window on the culture and ethics of Japan. At the same time he contributes to the Western debate on abortion, exploring how the Japanese resolve their conflicting emotions privately and avoid the pro-life/pro-choice politics that sharply divide Americans on the issue.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
List of Illustrations Ch. 2A World of Water and Words Ch. 3Social Death, Social Birth Ch. 4Jizo at the Crossroads Pt. 2Historical Processes Ch. 6Edo: Population Ch. 7Edo: Polemics Ch. 8Sex, War, and Peace Pt. 3Contemporary Issues Ch. 10Moral Swamps Ch. 11A Rational, National Family Ch. 12Crossovers Conclusion Appendix: "The Way to Memorialize One's Mizuko" Notes Bibliography Index
