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vii Acknowledgments This book began with a discussion in 1997 at the Nanzan Institute of Religion and Culture with Robert Kisala, who suggested an investigation of the Occupation period. Through him I was able to spend time at the University of Tokyo under the guidance of Shimazono Susumu, who was generous with his time and advice. He introduced me to Tsushima Michihito of Kansei Gakuin University and Fujii Takeshi of Tokyo Gakugei University, experts in Jiu and Tenshō Kōtai Jingū Kyō respectively. They allowed me access to their materials and facilitated contacts with the groups. Nakano Tsuyoshi of Sōka University gave me a copy of his index of scap records relating to religion, which proved to be an invaluable guide at the beginning of the project. I am indebted to the staff of the Japanese Political History Materials Room, National Diet Library, Tokyo, the archivists at the National Records and Archives Administration II building in College Park, Maryland, and those working at the Gordon W. Prange Collection at The University of Maryland. At the Australian National University, I benefited greatly from the advice and constant support of John Powers. I was also lucky to have John Caiger, a great educator and mentor, on my side, and Tessa Morris-Suzuki provided excellent suggestions in times of need. This research was supported by scholarships from the Japanese Government (Monkashō) and the Australian National University. I was able to carry out additional work through a Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan Scholarship and a 20th Century Japan Research Award from the University of Maryland’s Center for Historical Studies. Jiu members Katsuki Tokujirō and Yamada Senta, despite their advanced ages at the times I interviewed them, provided valuable insights about Nagaoka Nagako (Jikōson). Members of Tenshō Kōtai Jingū Kyō consented to an interview at their headquarters in Tabuse, Yamaguchi, and Kitamura Kiyokazu, the granddaughter of Kitamura viii | Notes to pages 15–16 viii | acknowledgments Sayo, generously shared important materials. Wilton Dillon agreed to two extended interviews about his experiences as an Occupation press officer. Kawakami Tsuneo, formerly of the Nihon Keizai Shinbun, and Nishide Takeshi, formerly of Kyōdō News Service, offered vital perspectives on religion and the media in contemporary Japan. Ian Reader has been particuarly encouraging throughout various stages of this work. I would also like to thank Clark Chilson, Erica Baffelli , Nishimura Akira, Victor S. Hori, Ōtani Eiichi, John Breen, Barbara Ambros, Levi McLaughlin, Daniel Metraux, Scott Schnell, Helen Hardacre , Jackie Stone, and John Jorgensen. Naturally, I assume responsibility for any errors within the book. While all my colleagues of the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture and Nanzan University have been very supportive, Paul Swanson and James Heisig deserve special mention. Their unique attributes—scholarly rigor and technical expertise, combined with good humor and flashes of brilliance—have been a gift. Finally, thanks go to my family, and especially my wife, Tomoko. ...

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