This episode's guest is Scott Schnell, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Iowa and the former co-editor of Asian Ethnology. Scott discusses his research interests and perspectives, his work on dissident writer and ethnographer, Ema Shū, and his research on matagi (bear hunters).

Episode Summary

  • Intro :43
  • Initial interest in Japan 1:54
  • Environmental issues, studies about mountain areas 3:43
  • Research in Furukawa, discussion about The Rousing Drum, rituals 8:20
  • Research on Ema Shū, published in Asian Folklore Studies 13:40
  • Local hunters as guides and intermediaries
    • mountains as conduits
    • female mountain deity (yama no kami) 17:00
  • Topic of matagi (traditional hunters) and their interest in environment represented through belief in yama no kami 20:07
  • Daily life of matagi 28:45
  • Ideas of Japanese people, environment, nature, limits of consumption 34:43
  • Aspects of current research
    • Animism
    • Attitudes toward matagi
    • Ministry of Environment’s support of matagi
    • Tourism 39:59
  • Doing fieldwork with bear hunters
    • Skills of matagi used for search and rescue
    • Research into matagi 47:16

Outro 47:40

Music used with kind permission of the performer, shamisen master Koji Yamaguchi.

Copyright 2017 by Asian Ethnology Podcast

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