Research Project 1: pilgrimage and semiotics

新潮社・新潮奨学金

Foundation etc. Grant

Pilgrimage　Travel　Semiotics　In this project I develop a theoretical framework for the study of pilgrimage based on the semiotics of C.S. Peirce. I study various examples of pilgrimage from religions in different places and historical times. I aim to show that pilgrimage works mainly through the construction of semiotic communities. These are groups of people who share a set of signs and use them to create a coherent view of reality as well as their own identity. In my work I include also tourism and other forms of travel.