Papers by Florence Lahournat
Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 2022
PurposeThe paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster m... more PurposeThe paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster memory both as a prevention tool and one potentially contributing to the resilience of vulnerable communities in Japan. The objective is, more specifically, to explore one specific source of disaster memory in Japan, namely the disaster-related stone monuments scattered throughout the archipelago.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve the goals, the authors have studied several types of materials. First, the authors have used the “Natural Disaster Monument” online database compiled by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GIS), data upon which the authors based the field research study, focused on water-related disaster in Otsu city (Shiga Prefecture). Simultaneously, the authors have systematically searched Japanese newspapers since the middle of the 19th century as well as the archives of Shiga prefecture in order to collect additional information on the statistical reality of t...
Synopsis Following the 2011 Great Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, many communities in the affected ... more Synopsis Following the 2011 Great Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, many communities in the affected areas put effort in reviving their local traditions. Classically associated with contributing to community cohesion, sense of identity and continuity as well as place attachment, these practices have a potential role to play in terms of community resilience and rebuilding. This research, based on ethnographic data, is part of an ongoing investigation into the adaptive nature and relevance of living heritage for disaster-affected communities. Using the revival of Ogatsu hōin kagura (Ogatsu, Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture) as case study, this paper explores the question of living heritage, highlighting the notion of authenticity as both a key element and framework to better understand the nature of these practices and the dynamic of their usage for the benefit of communities in extreme circumstances.
La tradition shintoiste a souvent ete decrite comme depourvue d'interet pour le visuel en ce ... more La tradition shintoiste a souvent ete decrite comme depourvue d'interet pour le visuel en ce sens qu'elle n'est effectivement pas poussee par une forte volonte de representation. Or, ce postulat se heurte aux limites suivantes: effectivement caracterise par une atrophie de la forme, le shintoisme n'en est pas pour autant depourvu. La structure rituelle shinto, marquee par un processus de fixation de la divinite, rend necessaire l'utilisation d'objets materiels que la divinite vient habiter. Ces objets, supports de la divinite, repondent a une organisation rituelle shintoiste, basee sur une triple structure: l'appel de la divinite, la celebration en sa presence, et son renvoi. Depourvus de reelles contraintes formelles, ils sont de natures extremement variees et presentent des criteres de distinction tres heterogenes, rendant difficile la constitution d'un systeme symbolique. Le but de la presente recherche est de mettre en relief les modes de represen...
Contemporary Japan, 2016
Questions of continuity and transmission, as well as relationship to the community, have long occ... more Questions of continuity and transmission, as well as relationship to the community, have long occupied an important part of folk performance scholarship. These topics take on a different urgency in disaster-affected communities, where preexisting socioeconomic issues become more pressing and endanger not only the continuity of folk practices but the communities themselves. The aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami has seen a surge of folk performance revivals in affected areas, hinting to the depth of the ties between local folk performance and community. Following an ethnographic approach, this paper explores the case of the community of Ogatsu (Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture) and its folk performance, the Ogatsu hōin kagura, as one expression of the revival process in an isolated, rural community extensively affected by the 2011 disaster. Putting in perspective the underlying dynamic of continuity and change that characterizes folk performances, the objective is to explore the nature and usage of the kagura and its relationship to the post-disaster community as it responds to changing circumstances.
Http Www Theses Fr, 2007
La tradition shintoiste a souvent ete decrite comme depourvue d'interet pour le visuel en ce ... more La tradition shintoiste a souvent ete decrite comme depourvue d'interet pour le visuel en ce sens qu'elle n'est effectivement pas poussee par une forte volonte de representation. Or, ce postulat se heurte aux limites suivantes: effectivement caracterise par une atrophie de la forme, le shintoisme n'en est pas pour autant depourvu. La structure rituelle shinto, marquee par un processus de fixation de la divinite, rend necessaire l'utilisation d'objets materiels que la divinite vient habiter. Ces objets, supports de la divinite, repondent a une organisation rituelle shintoiste, basee sur une triple structure: l'appel de la divinite, la celebration en sa presence, et son renvoi. Depourvus de reelles contraintes formelles, ils sont de natures extremement variees et presentent des criteres de distinction tres heterogenes, rendant difficile la constitution d'un systeme symbolique. Le but de la presente recherche est de mettre en relief les modes de representation d'une religion souvent definie comme de tradition aniconique. Ceci impliquera d'analyser les mecanismes de mise en image et verra une attention particuliere accordee a des objets-types recurrents, permettant de former une ebauche de systeme classificatoire. La demarche entreprise propose de diviser les modes de representation de la divinite en trois categorie distinctes. La premiere comprendra les lieux rituels en tant qu'abri de la divinite, tandis que la seconde retiendra les supports permanents que sont les tresors divins, caracterises par leur potentielle valeur symbolique, la troisieme enfin regroupera des objets rituels hybrides, caracterises par une superposition de fonctions.
Disaster Prevention and Management, 2022
Purpose-The paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster ... more Purpose-The paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster memory both as a prevention tool and one potentially contributing to the resilience of vulnerable communities in Japan. The objective is, more specifically, to explore one specific source of disaster memory in Japan, namely the disaster-related stone monuments scattered throughout the archipelago. Design/methodology/approach-To achieve the goals, the authors have studied several types of materials. First, the authors have used the "Natural Disaster Monument" online database compiled by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GIS), data upon which the authors based the field research study, focused on water-related disaster in Otsu city (Shiga Prefecture). Simultaneously, the authors have systematically searched Japanese newspapers since the middle of the 19th century as well as the archives of Shiga prefecture in order to collect additional information on the statistical reality of these monuments, the context of their creation and in order to better estimate the severity of our case studies. Findings-First, the findings show that stone monuments are indeed structuring elements of disaster memory in Japan. Not only are they present throughout the archipelago, but in addition, they are still for the most part visited by local communities. Second, the findings show how this material culture of disaster, as a vector of disaster memory, could be used as a tool to better understand and bring awareness to the occurrence of specific hazards, especially to future generations. Originality/value-The authors promote an interdisciplinary approach by associating anthropology and history. The study offers a new and original character about an object of study relating to both the cultural and historical fields but still often neglected as a tool and object of research in DDR. The authors provide a method and suggest ways to integrate these stone monuments into DDR policies. Finally, the authors propose to better integrate these monuments into the overall reflection on disaster awareness and disaster mitigation.
Purpose-The paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster ... more Purpose-The paper focuses on an aspect of disaster often overlooked by experts: that of disaster memory both as a prevention tool and one potentially contributing to the resilience of vulnerable communities in Japan. The objective is, more specifically, to explore one specific source of disaster memory in Japan, namely the disaster-related stone monuments scattered throughout the archipelago. Design/methodology/approach-To achieve the goals, the authors have studied several types of materials. First, the authors have used the "Natural Disaster Monument" online database compiled by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GIS), data upon which the authors based the field research study, focused on water-related disaster in Otsu city (Shiga Prefecture). Simultaneously, the authors have systematically searched Japanese newspapers since the middle of the 19th century as well as the archives of Shiga prefecture in order to collect additional information on the statistical reality of these monuments, the context of their creation and in order to better estimate the severity of our case studies. Findings-First, the findings show that stone monuments are indeed structuring elements of disaster memory in Japan. Not only are they present throughout the archipelago, but in addition, they are still for the most part visited by local communities. Second, the findings show how this material culture of disaster, as a vector of disaster memory, could be used as a tool to better understand and bring awareness to the occurrence of specific hazards, especially to future generations. Originality/value-The authors promote an interdisciplinary approach by associating anthropology and history. The study offers a new and original character about an object of study relating to both the cultural and historical fields but still often neglected as a tool and object of research in DDR. The authors provide a method and suggest ways to integrate these stone monuments into DDR policies. Finally, the authors propose to better integrate these monuments into the overall reflection on disaster awareness and disaster mitigation.
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Papers by Florence Lahournat