Related Resources
Institutions, networks and initiatives sharing the ISCSD’s research interests
The European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism is Europe’s leading scholarly society dedicated to the academic study of Western esotericism. As an affiliated society of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and a related organization of the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the ESSWE fosters research into the diverse expressions of Western esoteric traditions from late antiquity to today. Established in 2002, the society is committed to advancing the field and ensuring its continued growth.
The ESSWE maintains affiliations with a wide-ranging network of related academic associations, among them the East Asian Network for the Academic Study of Esotericism (EANASE), see below.
EANASE serves as a scholarly hub for the academic study of esotericism in East Asia, encompassing traditions such as Daoism, Shugendō, Onmyōdō, Korean shamanism, and other occult or mystical practices. The network aims to promote interdisciplinary research, facilitate cross-cultural dialogue, and support the growing community of researchers in this specialized field.
EANASE has extended the focus established by its predecessor, the Japanese Network for the Academic Study of Esotericism (JNASE), beyond Japan. Thereby, EANASE addresses the recent surge in research on occultism and esotericism in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, reflecting the region’s rich and varied esoteric heritage. The network plays a crucial role in integrating these traditions into the global academic discourse on esotericism.
