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Mutual Images 8th International Workshop -

MIRA 8 2020: Japanese Pilgrimages

URL: https://www.mutualimages.org/2020-workshop
Event Date: 2020-06-05 ~ 2020-06-08
Abstract Submission Date: 2019-11-30
Submission Date: 2019-11-30
Organizer: Mutual Images Research Association
Location: Kyoto, Japan

Tourism & Hospitality Asian Studies & History Chinese Studies & History Spirituality

Pilgrimages are a phenomenon as old as humanity with relevant consequences in the social, economic and cultural lives of countries and regions. On an individual level, there are many motivations behind the pilgrim experience where identity aspects such as religious affiliation, spiritual beliefs, tradition or mere curiosity play an important role. In recent years, the cultural industries and tourism industries have also developed sophisticated strategies in order to reach new audiences and gain market share. Content producers have obtained the sponsorship of national agencies in order to develop their products as a way of reinforcing National Branding. National agencies focused on tourism and development have found that representations of cultural heritage through fictional media positively impacts tourism through these Media Pilgrimages (also referred to as Content Tourism or Media Tourism), and media representations become a relevant tool for regional development.

The aim of the symposium was born from two ideas which correspond with relevant pillars of modern East Asian economies but also to many post-industrial societies. The first is the common cultural background of East Asian countries like Japan, Korea or China. These commonalities have made possible the rise of economic and cultural transnational flows which include as a main vortex pilgrimage destinations. The second, corresponding to a more contemporary shared meaning, is the consequence of the relevance of creative and cultural industries and their influence on the collective global imagination.

With this purpose, graduate students, scholars, independent researchers, and industry practitioners are invited to submit papers and presentations for this workshop. Contributions on the following topics or related areas will be specially considered:

Popular Culture and Contents Industries as vehicles for self-representation (manga, anime, games, pop music, film, tv series and more)

Interaction, Overlap and Competition between Cultural Heritage and Popular Culture appeal

Religion, spirituality, and superstition: temples, shrines, religious figures, animism, yokai and fox spirits

Political Communication and Media Culture. The “popular” response to social or natural crises (natural disasters, political transitions, etc)

Contents and institutional strategies such as “Soft Power”, from Japan but also other from East Asian Cultures

Assessing the concrete (economical, political, cultural) value derived from the international and national markets. Differences in strategies for appealing to each of these audiences.

The role of destination image and national branding in impacting tourists’ perception and attitudes toward a culture or nation. Positive (emotional bonds, affect, popularization…) and negative effects (stereotyping, infantilization...) of the creation and dissemination of these images.

Fictionality vs ‘authenticity’: finding manga, anime, and game settings

Media consumption and cultural exchange

Media representations and national stereotypes in Japan and other East Asian Cultures in relation to cultural and religious tourism

Games and Big Narratives i.e. Pokémon Go for the world traveler: seeking nests all over Asia

Comparing media contents tourism among East Asian markets or with other countries

The relationship between pop-culture, new media, globalization and tourism trends

We are delighted to confirm that Dr Craig Norris (University of Tasmania) and Dr Eriko Kawanishi (Kyoto University) will be keynote speakers for the Workshop.

For more information, and to submit your proposal, visit: https://www.mutualimages.org/2020-workshop

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2024-06-02 ~ 2024-06-06

2024-08-19 ~ 2024-08-22

Mutual Images 8th International Workshop -

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