Japan Society for the Promotion of Science:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research
Date (from‐to) : 2009/04 -2012/03
Author : ONO Hisako; ISHIDA Hitoshi; KAWAJI Osamu; KIMURA Hajime; SENSO Akio; TAKAHASHI Yoshifumi; TAKEHARA Takeshige; NAKAYAMA Hisao; NORO Kaori; MIZOI Yuichi; YAMADA Toshiaki; YAMAMOTO Mariko; WATANABE Manabu; HAYAKAWA Yoshie; FUJISAWA Fujisawa; IKEHARA Akiyoshi; MATSUOKA Yoshie
The Japanese term ikai(異界) has been variously described as "post-mortem existence" or "alternative spatial-temporal domains" that appear to exist as mere shadows. From ancient times to our current age, ikai have been interpreted as part of our inner existence and mental life, in contrast to the outer world. Ikai are a rich source for inter-disciplinary studies. For example, references to ikai appear not only in written texts but also in music and iconographic images as well as virtual spaces. The term ikai is being used in so many different ways in Japan today that much of its original nuance appears to be fading.