일본인의 죽음관과 재해 - 생사학적 관점에서의 동일본대지진 -
Japanese People’s View of Death and Disaster ― 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake from the Perspective of Thanatology ―
How have Japanese people who have been suffering from incessant disasters accepted death and how have they overcome it mentally? An analysis and overview of changes in thought require a considerable amount of time. Through an analysis of Namazue right after the Ansei Great Earthquakes, the present study paid particular attention to the treatment of the deceased and the aspects of conflict and reconciliation between the living and the dead. The relationship between the living and the dead caused by a disaster is also closely linked to the funeral and the service for the repose of the deceased. So this paper explored problems concerning funerals at 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake. Also, the 3.11 Earthquake prompted Japanese society to lively discussion on death as well as to reconsideration of the meaning of religion. How can religion and philosophy respond to the grief and pain that the survivors of a disaster encounter in the relationship with the deceased? It is the very task in thanatology. Before 3.11, the view of death and life was mainly approached from the viewpoint of decreasing children and aging society. But at least it seems certain that the post-3.11 view of death and life would see a sea change.