Teacher Profiles
SHIMOKURA, Wataru Professor (Chinese medieval history)
Research topic
My research focuses on political and social events from the Han to the Tang dynasties. In recent years, I have become interested in family history and folk beliefs.
Research Topics
You too could become a god!? The wondrous mysteries of Chinese folk beliefs
In Chinese folk religion, many gods have been worshipped. Among these gods, a considerable number were originally human beings. Guan Yu, a general from the Three Kingdoms period, is a prime example. Mazu, the goddess of navigation, is also said to have originally been a woman from Fujian. Furthermore, in a certain region of Taiwan, a Japanese police officer who served before the war is reportedly worshipped as a god.
Chinese gods continue to multiply. Perhaps you too could become a god. Why not take a peek into this wondrous world of Chinese folk beliefs?
A stone guardian statue and a Guan Yu strap.
Examples of graduation thesis titles from the Shimokura Seminar
- "The Mythological World of China and the Background of the Birth of the Gods—Focusing on Fuxi and Nuwa—"
- "A Walk Through the Streets of Chang'an During the Tang Dynasty"
Recent works
- "Mother and Child in the Han Dynasty," *Tohoku University Journal of Oriental History*, Vol. 8, 2001.
- "Miscellaneous Thoughts on the Crimes of Adultery in the Qin and Han Dynasties," *History and Geography (Tohoku Gakuin University Journal)*, 39, 2005.
- "Visiting the Emperor, Promoting Respect, and Performing Rites: Human Connections Depicted in the 'Four Peoples' Monthly Regulations'," *History and Culture (Tohoku Gakuin University Journal)*, 45, 2010.