What particularly characterizes her [Hardacre's] work is the harmonious blend of theory and concrete illustration. Hardacre has lived with the members of the Kurozumiky not only as a scholar but also as a human beingto be more precise, as a womanwho wants to share their joys and sorrows. This results in a deep empathy with the believers and also with their religion itself.--Jan Swyngedouw, Monumenta Nipponica With the appearance of this work, Hardacre has established herself as one of the foremost interpreters in this field. Chapter 1, 'The World View of the New Religions,' is perhaps the best succinct introduction to the new religions of Japan to date. One of the real strengths of this work, compared to earlier ones, is that the author is genuinely interested in religious praxis, not just intellectual systems or doctrinal dimensions. Reading this book, one gains a deep appreciation of how religion 'works' for believers.--Gary L.

Ebersole, Journal of Religion.