Books in the Routledge Studies in Taoism series

At the core of Daoism are ancient ideas concerning the Way, the fundamental process of existence (the Dao). This book presents the history of early Daoism, tracing the development of the tradition between the first and the fifth centuries CE.

Focuses on one of the few Chinese deities that can rightfully claim a countrywide devotion, Zhenwu or the Perfected Warrior.

The influence of Daoism traditions on Japanese religious culture is vast, longstanding and multifaceted. This book focuses on the multiple legacies of Daoism in Japan from antiquity to the present, providing an exploration of the particular pathways by which Daoist traditions entered Japan from continental East Asia. It addresses the basic issues in both Daoism Studies and the study of Japanese religions and demonstrates how Chinese influence on Japanese religious culture ironically proved to be crucial in establishing traditions that are usually seen as authentically, even quintessentially, Japanese.

This book questions whether temples and Daoism are two independent aspects of modern Chinese religion, or if they are indissolubly linked.

The influence of Daoism traditions on Japanese religious culture is vast, longstanding and multifaceted. This book focuses on the multiple legacies of Daoism in Japan from antiquity to the present, providing an exploration of the particular pathways by which Daoist traditions entered Japan from continental East Asia. It addresses the basic issues in both Daoism Studies and the study of Japanese religions and demonstrates how Chinese influence on Japanese religious culture ironically proved to be crucial in establishing traditions that are usually seen as authentically, even quintessentially, Japanese.

The first in an exciting new series, this book presents brand new thinking on Daoism - a field now recognized as one of the most vital areas of research in Chinese history and the history of religions.