Description: This book explores the philosophies and actions of a group called Hongan no kai, comprised of mercury poisoning sufferers and their supporters in Minamata, Japan. While depicting their plights, Yuki Miyamoto unpacks the ways they wrestle with tragedy in their community as well...
Review Quotes:
This important book investigates how religious worldviews influence survivors' views of industrial pollution at Minamata, one of Japan's best known cases of methylmercury contamination. Through interviews with members of the group Hongan no kai (Association of the Original Vow) and deep readings of their publications, Miyamoto integrates the voices, thoughts, and actions of those who have suffered because of Japan's industrial growth and social discrimination. Observers familiar with the ongoing disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plants and the resulting radioactive contamination will see many grim parallels here.