https://ugoretzresearch.org/toriituesday daily 0.75 2023-06-20 https://ugoretzresearch.org/toriituesday/1-blue monthly 0.5 2023-06-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6b670866-89d8-487a-96a0-95fcccda1d72/Minato+JInja+Miyazaki+Pref.jpg #ToriiTuesday - #1: BLUE - Make it stand out Minato Shrine in Nobeoka City, Miyazaki Pref. Photo credit: Kuriyama Takashi @age_cox https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/faaa95a9-b4a0-4f50-9e24-9dae0f7eaa4f/giratina+shiny.jpg #ToriiTuesday - #1: BLUE - Make it stand out Example of a red Pokémon (Giratina) appearing as a rare blue ‘shiny’ version https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/a83a0846-5846-487b-bda4-579745a4fd7e/david-emrich-EJvGBYjrwEA-unsplash.jpg #ToriiTuesday - #1: BLUE - Make it stand out The “Thousand Torii” Tunnel at Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine. Photo by David Emrich on Unsplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6a4ed16a-ef70-4059-9881-ba744e5a58ce/inyo+gogyou.jpg #ToriiTuesday - #1: BLUE - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://ugoretzresearch.org/home daily 1.0 2026-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626217848482-O0FGEPOXJIH8JMLU6XCX/Sacred+Writes+Headshot+4.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/a18408a9-bc87-4cd8-b18a-c4614bd2c24e/Copy+of+AAR+2022_YouTube+Gods.png Home - “‘The YouTube Gods Will Bless You’: Seeking Algorithmic Salvation in the YouTube Prosperity Gospel” Article, Religion (Feb 2025) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/c6f316a4-2781-4a6a-98e9-3d4c61581e32/Cinnabar_Island_volcano.png Home - “City Country Culture Japan: Pokémon, Origin Story” Documentary Interview, Arte (June 2025) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626311624733-C5TT4OTIS4IYBSBMC9ZB/worldwide.jpg Home - Globalization Shinto is conventionally described as "the ancient, indigenous religion of Japan and the Japanese people." What does Shinto look like outside of Japan and as practiced by non-Japanese people? My work shifts our focus from the past and the boundaries of Japan to contemporary, transnational Shinto communities. I study how social networks are being created between Japan and other countries through digital media and how they construct a global Shinto which questions our fundamental assumptions about the religion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626311978569-U04AY4KRRWJMLMRLYS4S/internet.jpg Home - Digital Technology Shinto is not the only religion to 'go digital.' The evolution of the Internet and social media have enabled individuals at different times and places to communicate with others in new ways. Over time, these online interactions—which incorporate a variety of digital media—can give new life to existing religious communities and spark the formation of new ones. The possibilities and limitations of computer-mediated communication are challenging the way we think about what it means to "be religious" and "do religion." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626312306964-FZ1J2ESTW1I971DN8J4E/torii-shrine-gate_t20_7lP607.jpg Home - Nature and the Environment The globalization and digitization of Shinto raises interesting questions about the importance of space and nature in contemporary belief and practice. Shinto developed from highly localized kami cults centered around natural formations which the kami inhabit in the nearby environment, such as mountains and rivers. As belief and practice developed, Shinto came to revolve around human-like kami and shrines. I am exploring what Shinto's encounter with cyberspace means for contemporary conceptions of sacred space and human relationships with nature. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626312621431-PYW8YVJL0OUCOQZD2ZLV/red+data+girl+shrine.jpg Home - Popular Culture The exportation of popular culture has been a crucial strategy for the Japanese government and various industries. People around the world are coming into contact with Japanese culture and religion through media including anime, manga, and video games. For example, Miyazaki Hayao's beloved animated films like Spirited Away are celebrated for their emphasis on respect for nature and depictions of kami. I incorporate media and fan studies into my research to understand how media producers and consumers envision Shinto, as well as how pop culture is used in online communities. https://ugoretzresearch.org/youtube daily 0.75 2022-09-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1626318250710-0U2OWNP8C4ZWT8UAES6I/EAP+Opening+Animation_Cloud+Wash+BG+%281%29.png YouTube - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://ugoretzresearch.org/editing daily 0.75 2023-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1627350398377-P444O5RHLVJOOEP299F4/hannah-grace-j9JoYpaJH3A-unsplash.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1627351102848-3EI9OXNYXGDMKLR597PS/pencil_t20_WQYjrV.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1627351284784-EKCZUNSU8FFLINLGRFTQ/creative-edit-silly-face-d-on-letter-d-on-white-apple-imac-keyboard_t20_GRl4R6.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1627432550225-BNQGFX7CY5DCRKDT56HY/unsplash-image-bGdiuIyN3Rs.jpg Editing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1627349206972-DJ4SVALN4E0RHM52KHXI/proofreading.jpg Editing - Skip the red ink. Even small mistakes in spelling, grammar, and word choice can dull the impact of a brilliant piece of writing. Polish your work with a professional editing treatment and let your ideas shine! https://ugoretzresearch.org/editing-rates daily 0.75 2025-09-05 https://ugoretzresearch.org/academicpubs daily 0.75 2025-12-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/2d0a079b-fe7c-4b5c-8e9e-1869e9368e34/Copy+of+AAR+2022_YouTube+Gods+%281%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/18add824-5758-4c5a-96d1-5b3b6995ca14/Or...+%283%29.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628187347565-81PRTYNPUDKAREHZ7NF7/Demystifying+Remote+Research+Header.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628187462061-PW7Q60TTXWB30SCL60B0/biden+praying.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/2d3276f9-1b42-4cbb-9278-db58a6caac59/cover+1.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/f75d5e68-3294-4d69-961b-d7c7ac98affd/cover.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6be5eac7-ca47-498e-a573-fe3753506a45/digital+humanities+religions+in+asia+cover.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628187109723-AQCT9IUQ8JY4LLJFAZN4/bloomsbury+handbook.jpg https://ugoretzresearch.org/consulting daily 0.75 2021-08-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628182317498-LGPRN6UY2RYUV8B2MQ5J/game_wabiishi.png Consulting - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://ugoretzresearch.org/publications daily 0.75 2023-09-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628189275350-SY0387Z8PNLVG6ZU6HZN/Academic+2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/4ac77fe8-a9a9-405d-8f6c-1e84b131ee42/Public+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6db299df-01a0-4b60-8a91-440ac285f859/News+1.png https://ugoretzresearch.org/public-scholarship daily 0.75 2022-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/be4964ca-df0b-47ad-b2eb-1533ab3fad3f/IMG_6325.JPG Public Scholarship Interview | Japan’s tourism boom presents a special challenge for Kyoto (The World) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6d5a0436-93e6-4eac-9c47-fef43ce54551/how+to+go+to+hell.jpg Public Scholarship Interview | How to Go to Hell in Shinto with Genetically Modified Skeptic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/af7cb9e0-5a86-44e3-b285-6d8ee3bc793e/tsunderi+thumbnail.jpg Public Scholarship Interview | Nerds @ Work with TsundEri https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1711415071115-GEE8UZ6WGLFRW9Z9K40S/torii%2Brainbow%2Btokuriki%2Btomikichiro.jpg Public Scholarship Explainer | The Many Types of Torii in Japan (JNTO) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/e5195698-f2e4-4801-8665-dbdc4c0bfb1c/cardcaptor+sakura+RNS.jpg Public Scholarship Op-Ed | Anime is packed with spirituality and gaining popularity among Gen Z (Religion News Service) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/e521c87e-c516-4a51-9830-f114c4ed98d3/springtide+IG+live+social+pic.png Public Scholarship Interview | Anime + Spirituality among Gen Z (Springtide Research Institute) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1c7b2dca-1e75-4442-a38a-22cb9163d8ed/uwp1165743.jpeg Public Scholarship Essay | Animating Religious Literacy: Japanese Pop Culture and Teaching through Video (Engaging Religion) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/04b0dd8a-58e0-43ae-9b8d-d8f01d57ddc3/YouTube+Channel+Icon+%286%29.png Public Scholarship Essay | Japanese Studies Spotlight: Eat Pray Anime (NCC Japan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/0dfb1bbd-d68b-441d-9aef-106f189c693b/abe+funeral.png Public Scholarship Article | Shinto religion has long been entangled with Japan’s politics – and Shinzo Abe was associated with many of its groups (The Conversation) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/baac837a-15cf-4f2b-8394-d1e545ade06c/conversation+six+thumbnail.png Public Scholarship Podcast | Understanding the Intersection of Religion and Politics in Japan After Shinzo Abe's Death (Conversation Six) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/316720a9-98c6-4a19-b566-e3467f949987/beyond+japan+thumbnail.jfif Public Scholarship Podcast Interview | "Global Shinto with Kaitlyn Ugoretz" (Beyond Japan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/53efa506-677e-4c3b-a315-c6b61b1cd033/3732812367_d0e798e8eb_c.jpg Public Scholarship Article | Japan's Shinto religion is going global and attracting online followers (The Conversation) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6c0ba581-b77f-488f-bdf1-5da4bdc2cec2/Shinto+in+Pop+Culture+Lecture+%282%29.png Public Scholarship Public Talk | 'Animating Religion: Shinto in Japanese Pop Culture' (FCCEAS Webinar) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/6a3f1e25-0cc2-4a13-921a-3e473c5d69d1/Shinto+101+Invite+Thumbnail+copy.jpg Public Scholarship Public Talk | Shinto: Exploring Japan's 'Way of the Kami' (FCCEAS Webinar) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/b2c6963b-d363-4959-b312-7068ca24fb20/classical+ideas.jpg Public Scholarship Podcast Interview | Studying Shinto and Teaching Through YouTube and Pop Culture (Classical Ideas) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/34fcf0cc-8636-4475-bfd4-6b038e91b884/japankyo+thumbnail.png Public Scholarship Podcast Interview | The Untidiness of Marie Kondo's Spirituality and Global Shinto (Japan Station) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/c29c5ba4-7595-49b1-9b6e-6a9cca01b296/marie+kondo+meditate.jpg Public Scholarship Op-Ed | The untidiness of Marie Kondo's eclectic spirituality (Religion News Service & Washington Post) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/eb1d5e71-df0f-4a25-830f-8e204e2b0cb1/kimi+no+na+wa+3.jpg Public Scholarship Public Talk | "Your Name and the Religion of Anime" (UNC Charlotte) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628191019194-NSSPMUBD58LRP4YTYU5A/rfb%252Bshinto%252Bthumbnail%252B2.jpg Public Scholarship Researcher & Writer | Introduction to Shinto Series (Religion For Breakfast) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1628190431972-FTDCPPUFCSNF2ZWF0CFB/totoro%2Bpray.jpg Public Scholarship Think Piece | "As the Spirit Moves You: How Studio Ghibli Films Leave Room for A Range of Religious Interpretations" (Beneath the Tangles) https://ugoretzresearch.org/global-torii-map daily 0.75 2022-06-11 https://ugoretzresearch.org/news daily 0.75 2023-05-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/4a0a8191-49e5-4713-bc31-2f624bc5841c/sweeping.jpg In The News Explainer | Bologna, "Ōsōji: What You Should Know About This Japanese End-Of-The-Year Tradition" (HuffPo) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/4acbe03f-3e0e-494f-9d1c-f23c515548f6/Tsubaki_Grand_Shrine_of_America_2007a.jpg In The News Op-Ed | Bakkalian, "Tsubaki Shrine of America Closing Abruptly, Stunning US Shinto Community" (Unseen Japan) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/d11b7290-4681-45a2-9c1a-f647e287e0a1/news.png In The News Op-Ed | Ericson, "Knocking Down the Ivory Tower" (The Minnesota Daily) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/c1eae3de-0bfe-477b-b231-0ed2bb06209b/marie+kondo+2.jpg In The News Op-Ed | Fitzpatrick, "Marie Kondo: Feted abroad, the tidiness guru is dismissed as ‘pure theatre for a foreign audience’ in Japan" (The i) https://ugoretzresearch.org/merch daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://ugoretzresearch.org/merch/p/eat-pray-anime-sticker-1 monthly 0.5 2021-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314183194-XPVWMI5V2KIJJLIXE97X/kiss-cut-stickers-5.5x5.5-lifestyle-3-61a6b0c44887a.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314183810-215FX6OFJ85540AUAM8U/kiss-cut-stickers-3x3-lifestyle-1-61a6b0c448981.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314184384-AI1PI08SKEH493NRXZ8Z/kiss-cut-stickers-3x3-lifestyle-2-61a6b0c448a12.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314185049-0LJLFKOJC6Q1XI5GJRN4/kiss-cut-stickers-3x3-lifestyle-3-61a6b0c448a97.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314185653-6GAOOLZGG7VCDKUROA6Q/kiss-cut-stickers-4x4-lifestyle-1-61a6b0c448b50.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314186125-QD05WWPVK0BDHENT53RA/kiss-cut-stickers-4x4-lifestyle-2-61a6b0c448bcc.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314186688-GF0HBW1DBBOOFNE74RM9/kiss-cut-stickers-4x4-lifestyle-3-61a6b0c448c56.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314187360-KHAQX69TARAVZX00RYZV/kiss-cut-stickers-5.5x5.5-lifestyle-1-61a6b0c448d0c.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638314187982-1UG7ZOFZA1XEOL7TCFIE/kiss-cut-stickers-5.5x5.5-lifestyle-2-61a6b0c448da1.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Sticker https://ugoretzresearch.org/merch/p/eat-pray-anime-mug-color monthly 0.5 2021-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638310150586-UXDJFLDUXZRYDKSIU1IY/white-ceramic-mug-with-color-inside-blue-11oz-left-61a6a1005955c.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (Color) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638310151104-YYI46HVCSA9OUJVD1UYV/white-ceramic-mug-with-color-inside-blue-11oz-right-61a6a1005963e.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (Color) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638310151661-SDCNW2D9S5E6NJEBLKKX/white-ceramic-mug-with-color-inside-pink-11oz-left-61a6a100596dd.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (Color) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638310152225-ZNOQWB08T2ZHOWL7SU23/white-ceramic-mug-with-color-inside-pink-11oz-right-61a6a10059736.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (Color) https://ugoretzresearch.org/merch/p/eat-pray-anime-mug-white-1 monthly 0.5 2021-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638309310343-9REDR5DLRHUNHPSOCXHM/white-glossy-mug-11oz-donuts-61a69db94b7f0.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (White) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638309310961-PJL8DOI6GVMGG21OIHZV/white-glossy-mug-11oz-office-environment-61a69db94b8c1.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (White) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638309311529-HUXPG7BYQXE36RRAV2O9/white-glossy-mug-15oz-cookies-61a69db94b955.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (White) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ecc5451969454926ba1c5f/1638309311983-TYNQFQOSKRU55CJHZEM5/white-glossy-mug-15oz-office-environment-61a69db94b9b8.jpg Eat Pray Anime Merch - Eat Pray Anime Mug (White)