Tomoko Masuzawa

Tomoko Masuzawa is a scholar known for her work in the fields of religious studies and critical theory. She has contributed significantly to the understanding of the historical and theoretical aspects of religion.

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Invention Of World Religions

    Or, How European Universalism Was Preserved in the Language of Pluralism

    The book critically examines the historical development and conceptualization of "world religions" as a category in Western scholarship. It argues that the notion of world religions emerged in the 19th century as a way to classify and compare diverse religious traditions, often reflecting Eurocentric biases and colonial perspectives. The author explores how this framework has shaped the understanding of religion in both academic and popular contexts, questioning its validity and highlighting its implications for the study of non-Western religions. Through a detailed analysis, the book challenges readers to reconsider the assumptions underlying the categorization of religions and the impact of these constructs on global religious discourse.