Editorial Board	Editorial Staff	Editor-in-Chief
Federico Greselin Gianclaudio Macchiarella Mario Nordio	Federica A. Broilo Alessandro Caianiello Andrea De Antoni Sara Mondini Adriana Stama	Gianclaudio Macchiarella

Giacomo BAGGIO, Il trattato “Vacuità del non-assoluto” di Sen-gzhao: analisi e traduzione

This article provides a study and translation of the treatise “Emptiness of the Non-Absolute” written by Kumārajīva’s disciple Sengzhao at the beginning of the fifth century. The treatise is part of the Zhaolun (“[The collected] Treatises by Sengzhao”), still considered to be the major existing body of documents belonging to the earliest Chinese Mādhyamika. Its influence on the later development of Chinese Buddhism was great.
In the first part of this work we describe the historical and philosophical background and milieu in which Sengzhao operated. In the second part, we give ananalysis and full-length translation of “Emptiness of the Non-Absolute” together with Yuan Kang’s commentary (Tang dynasty) and a selection of explanations by other commentators.
Keywords: Kanbun kundoku, futokuji, okiji, sunawachi, hizōhōyaku, Kūkai, unread characters

Flavia CANGIÀ, Performing the “Buraku Culture”. Taiko Drums From Factory to Stage

“Tradition versus modernity” has for long worked as popular “metonymically frozen” axis to define Japan, and to describe a “nation” in which both the extremes are seen as two sides of the same coin: a well-balanced internal social stability. The notion of “Japanese tradition” has already been described by various scholars as interpretative template for the post-war nationalistic agenda to reinforce the national identity during the encounter with “the Other”. But what if the construct “the Japanese” – and Japanese tradition - were jeopardized at the national level by cultural symbols themselves, such as Taiko drums? The Taiko has mostly been analysed in its mediating role to foster the construction of a “Japanese” identity both in Japan and North America. The present article aims to focus on Taiko's “social biography”, to shift the focus from the “user” to the “maker” – historically the Burakumin – in order to explore the manner in which drums can differently work as “social agents” for people to address issues of discrimination, identity and related culture and ultimately to challenge the supposed idea of national homogeneity. I will firstly present the history of Taiko and its role within the post-war cultural nationalism onwards. Secondly, I will frame the analysis of Taiko within the notion of “Buraku culture” by presenting local strategies undertaken by spokespersons and “sites in the middle” - namely Ikari group in Osaka and Archives Kinegawa Museum of Education and Leather Industry in Tokyo. The Taiko represents, on the one hand, a means of self-representation and the starting point of a discourse on cultural identity yet, on the other hand, an educational tool by which the idea of pride ends up playing a different role. In both cases however the object making/playing becomes the opportunity for people to propose alternative discourses concerning the immaterial social relations behind. The value of the Taiko goes from its industrial production - which implies social stereotypes and discrimination towards some professions - to the stage level – be it music performance or education – as space for cultural resistance and new and imaginative uses of the object.
Keywords: buraku, Taiko, Ikari, performance, education, discrimination.

Matteo COMPARETI, Some specimens of Central Asian decorative elements in Ajaṇṭā and Bāgh paintings

“The pictorial decoration of the twenty-nine Buddhist caves of Ajaṇṭā (Mahārāṣṭra) represents one of the most ancient specimens of Indian painting preserved until the present. According to the chronology proposed by Walter Spink, they should be dated to the second part of 5th century AD, most likely between c. 460 and 480. The paintings were commissioned by members of the aristocracy of the Vākāṭaka (c. 255-480) or, better, Western Vākāṭaka (c. 460-483) (called also the Vatsagulma Branch), one of the most powerful dynasties of Southern India, at the time ruled by King Hariṣeṇa (c. 460-477). The paintings in the Buddhist caves at Bāgh (south-western Madhya Pradesh) have in common with the ones at Ajaṇṭā both chronology and patronage.
The present study wants to be a contribution to the chronology proposed by W. Spink for both sites considering representations of foreigners of possible Iranian origin also through some (cautious) parallels offered by Chinese art which, as it is well known, does not suffer of the lack of written records like India..
Keywords: Ajaṇṭā, Bāgh, paintings, Bactria

Giovanni DE ZORZI, The Art of Music and the Practice of Arts: Notes for a New Approach to the mevlevîye (‘Whirling Dervishes’) Sufi Brotherhood Tradition

Mevlevî houses (mevlevîhâneler) are often described as “the conservatories of the Ottoman Empire”. In fact, after the death of Mevlâna Jalâl-ud-Dîn Rumî (1207-1273), the mevlevîye sufi brotherhood developed rapidly in tandem with Ottoman expansionism, mevlevî lodges becoming major centres of musical teaching throughout the empire, spreading to Syria and to Egypt, and as far a-field as the Maghreb and the Balkans. The special mevlevî interpretation of the ritual samâ‘ (Eng. “spiritual concert”) encouraged the emergence of a “literate brotherhood”, dervishes who were accomplished practitioners in music, “dance”, poetry, calligraphy and other expressive forms. Less of a craft or a profession, these practitioners viewed the art of music as an art of interiority where expressive culture was deeply rooted in a mystical understanding of beauty and love (hüsn-u ashq), a position clearly evoked by the mevlevî poet, Sheykh Ghalib Dede (1757-1799). It is noteworthy that this amateur conception of music and art permeated secular contexts both during the Ottoman and the Republican periods
Keywords: Mevlâna Jalâl-ud-Dîn Rûmî, Samâ‘, Sufism, Mevlevîye, Ottoman Art Music (sanat musiği), Sufi Music (tasawwuf musiği), Whirling Dervishes Ceremony (âyin-i-şerif), Ney obliquely held-rim blown flute, Kitâb el-Edvâr, Ebrû (Marbled Paper)

Lara ISKRA, Tre importanti vakifi nella Mostar ottomana del XVI-XVII secolo: storia, mito, architettura

Mostar played an important role in the history of the Ottoman Bosnia as the economical, political and cultural capital of the Hercegovina during the Ottoman Empire. Mostar grew steadily in the XVI century under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent and became a typical ottoman city. The development of the city was mainly due to the large number of vakuf’s foundations or charitable Islamic trusts: rich and powerful individuals dedicated huge amount of moveable and immovable properties for the benefit of the community. The following article will take into account three important Figures of these pious founders or vakifs. They all contributed considerably both to the creation of religious and charitable institutions and to the educational and economic development of the entire population. The aim of this paper is to analyze three religious architectural complexes built in a period between the XVI and the XVII century. It mainly focuses on the history and the life of their prominent founders. The close connection of these personalities with the Ottoman Court in Istanbul and their high political and economical role in the Ottoman province of Bosnia, is reflected in their mosques, which represent one of the most beautiful examples of Islamic architecture not only in Mostar but in all Bosnia and Hercegovina.Keywords: Morocco, authoritarianism, electoral politics, islamist parties
Keywords: Mostar, Ottomans, vakif, architecture, Mehmed Karađoz-beg, Koski Mehmed-paša, Nesuh-aga Vučijaković

Marco LAURI, Identità nazionale indonesiana nei manifesti letterari (1925-1963)

This paper deals with national identity problems of modern Indonesia, as highlighted by literary manifestos issued by intellectuals in the period 1925-1963, during which Indonesian national identity took form. It will be shown that national identity was a primary concern for Indonesian writers. National struggle, national culture, historical progress and revolution were concepts debated as long as literary generations followed. A deep influx of Western ideas such as nation-state itself, individualism, revolution, and other Romantic ideals, was adopted by a group of authors, while others chose a more Marxist approach. Both claimed that ‘revolution’ hadn’t been achieved with mere political independence, and it had to be carried on according their own ideals in the cultural field.
Keywords: Indonesia, literature, intellectuals, national identity, colonialism

Matteo LUCCI, La poetica del karumi nell’opera di Matsuo Bashō

The paper focuses on the poetics of karumi (lightness) in Matsuo Bashō’s later works. Bashō, widely known as the putative founder of haiku, began to advocate this new poetic principle in 1689, when he was in search for new ideas. Karumi, indeed, is strictly related to the atarashimi, or newness. In opposition to these ideas, Bashō used the term furubi, or oldness, and omomi, or heavyness, referring to what was wrong both in the world of haikai and in his own style. Analyzing the examples provided by Bashō in order to teach his ideas, the paper distinguishes three different kinds of karumi.
Keywords: Matsuo Bashō, haikai, karumi, omomi, Italo Calvino

Lucio T. MELE, Khan as-Sebil vs. Khan al-Inqarata

In the late thirties and early fourties the French scholar Jean Sauvaget published on Syrian caravanserais. Two of these are Khan as-Sebil and Khan al-Inqarata, both from the last quarter of the fourteenth century and Mamluk. Many were taught to believe that these were two different caravanserais, but taking a closer look at the ground plan the author was struck by the similarities of the shape, size and proportions and decided to dig into the matter. Along this research he started having more and more doubts, coming across other striking similarities, like the building inscription. In the following text an attempt is made to review Sauvaget’s work, supplement it and shine a different light on whether Khan as-Sebil and Khan al-Inqarata are two, or maybe one and the same caravanserai.
Keywords: Mamluk, Medieval Syrian, Caravanserai, Jean Sauvaget

Luca MILASI, A Meiji Writer's outlook on Chinese Literature: the case of Mori Ōgai

This paper analyzes the impact of Chinese culture on the Japanese modern writer Mori Ōgai (actual name Mori Rintarō, 1862-1922), regarded by some as one of the preeminent writers of the Meiji period (1868-1912); the task is accomplished presenting and commenting on a series of diverse texts which reveal Ōgai’s interest in Chinese culture.
Traditionally, Ōgai’s literature is associated with Western thought and ideals, though most critics do recognize the kanbun training he received as a young man of letter as a matter of some relevance for the development of his style of prose; reconsidering the impact of Ōgai’s early training in the Chinese Classics, however, is by no means the only source accounting for the subtle, yet overall considerable influence of Chinese literary themes in his mature years as a writer of fiction. It is in his late works, then, that one has to search for his growing reputation as a sinophile. Is it possible to open a new perspective over Ōgaii’s interest in Chinese culture presenting several examples of the Chinese sources he read and employed in shaping his own literary tastes. Ōgai also contributed to gradually change the way in which Meiji literati would judge the value of literary works, and influenced favourably the process of rediscovery of forgotten Chinese and Japanese works of the past with his own critical thought, thoroughly working towards broadening his knowledge of Chinese and Japanese literature, along with the study of Western fonts. In this respect, translation excerpts provided in the appendix should be of help in clarifying how Ōgai’s outlook on Chinese literature changed over time, to the point that he developed a more mature approach to the study of Chinese culture, and Chinese language itself. The material commented includes forums such as Hyoshinryo Iroku (‘Scattered Recordings on Notable Works’, recorded ca. 1895 onwards), transcribed and printed on literary magazines, and two concrete examples revealing how his knowledge of the Chinese language and culture enabled Ōgai to derive literary themes and techniques from Chinese fiction. These are the short stories Yasui Fujin (‘The Wife of Yasui’ 1914), and Gyogenki (‘Yu Xuanji’, 1915).
Keywords: Mori Ōgai, Chinese literature, Hyoshinryo Iroku, Yasui Fujin, Gyogenki

Serena OSPAZI, Il Fiqh delle Minoranze islamiche in Europa: il Consiglio Europeo per le Fatwa e le Ricerche

In the last decades the increasing phenomenon of Muslim people migrating outside the borders of traditional Islamic world has got into the intellectual and legal debate within Islam itself. Millions of daily experiences answer to the question how can a Muslim live in the European space? but from the intellectual point of view the debate is open: how can speculations on this issue change the fiqh? This essay focuses on the answer of an Islamic juridical association, which is very interesting for its role within Europe and Islamic intellectuals’ elite of the transnational umma: the European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR). This association tries to include the particular condition of the Islamic minorities in Europe within the fiqh. The ECFR’s analysis starts from the context of Islamic diaspora’s enlightened conservatism with particular reference to the birth of Islamic minorities’ right (fiqh al-aqalliyyāt) and to the movement of Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. The essay describes ECFR’s members, actions, and aims, considers its fatwas concerning items relevant for the interaction with European society – political participation, economic issues, marriage and divorce and the equality of the sex-es – and points out its ambiguities. Through the effort of unifying the references of Muslims in Europe and under the guide of the preponderant figure of its president al-Qaradawi, this association gives the possibility of a silent orthodox reformation of Islamic law that involves the whole umma. This leads to consider an islamization of Europe not only as the first aim of the ECFR but also its starting point in a project of conquering authority and creating a leadership on Islamic world. Consequently the results of this study and the open questions about the potentialities of ECFR’s utopia make this case study relevant for further and wider considerations on the process of making a general Islamic authority.
Keywords: Islam – Europe, fiqh, fatwa, minorities’ right, (fiqh al-aqalliyyāt), iğtihād – al-Qaradawi – Muslim Brotherhood – Islamic authority

Alex PASSI, Death Charms: Magical Mixtures from the Kakṣapuṭa

Māraṇa, murder by magical means, is considered the sixth and most severe practice of harmful sorcery, abhicāra. In this paper the Author discusses and translates passages from the Kakṣapuṭa, a mediaeval treatise on the darker side of Tantric praxis.
Keywords: tantra, abhicara, satkarana, marana, kakṣaputa

Sofia SUNDSTROM, The Bimaran Casket : A Contribution to the Discussion Regarding Its Iconography

This article attempts to re-identify the four figures which are depicted twice on the Bimaran Casket as well as open up the field of interpretation regarding its iconography. Three of the four figures have been identified as Vajrapani, Avalokiteśvara and Maitreya by examining the individual iconographic fea-tures of the figures and comparing these with contemporary images.
Keywords: Bimaran reliquary, Buddhist iconography, Vajrapani, Avaloki-tesvara, Maitreya.

Elżbieta ŚWIĘCICKA, The Turkish Dictionary of Giovanni Molino, born Yovhannês from Ankara

Giovanni Molino is known to Turkologists as the author of the Italian-Turkish dictionary Dittionario della lingua Italiana-Turchesca, which was published in Rome in 1641. It was believed that he was one of many Italians writing grammars and dictionaries for missionaries and travellers heading for Turkey. In the introduction to his dictionary he writes that he has worked for the Most Serene Republic of Venice, but it has been difficult to find information about him in Venetian Archives, in any case not under the name Molino. Maria Pia Pedani has searched out in the correspondence of the then Venetian ambassador (bailo) to Istanbul three letters, from which it results that the interprete Giovanni Molino was in fact an Armenian from Ankara, called Yovhannês/Hovhannês Ankivrac’i. Following this lead it turned out that in Armenian history the latter is a known scholar, an outstanding Armenian publisher and the translator of reli-gious texts, whose services to the history of the Turkish language and the corres-ponding contribution to Ottoman Turkish culture were to date unknown.
Giovanni Molino’s Dittionario belongs to a special category of text sources called ‘transcribed texts’. This refers to the fact that the texts are in Turkish, but written by means of an alphabet different from the consonantal Arabic script used over the millennium prior to 1928. These texts are of various kinds: grammars, vocabularies, phrase books, and translations of religious texts and most often attest Turkish Balkan dialects. Their authors, who were mostly not native speakers of Turkish, have tried to record the phonetic shape of the language as they perceived it.
Molino’s linguistic origin was different. He was a subject of the Ottoman Empire, and had worked for many years in Constantinople and Smyrna for the Venetian bailo as an interprete, dragoman. Moreover, he had spent many years in Rome and Venice, and thus one may say that he was trilingual.

Keywords: Turkish Lexicography, Turkish Language, Ottoman Empire, Armenian culture, Italian Lexicography

Vasil S. TOLE, Odyssey and Sirens: A Temptation Towards the Mystery of the Iso-polyphonic Music Regions of Epirus. A Homeric theme with variations

The research—a theme with variations “Odyssey and Sirens…” —originates from a long-standing desire to show the ancient origins of Albanian Iso-polyphony as a prodigious conceptual occurrence of music itself. Theses and hypotheses on such symbolism are interlaced and, furthermore, sufficient motives can be found to substantiate the existence of Iso-polyphony from antiquity.
It has been a great pleasure to deal with this subject, though quite frequently, during the difficult task of defining the research, we had to delve into matters beyond our competencies and desires in order to make this ethno-musicological interpretation of Homer’s “Odyssey”.
Keywords: Albania, Iso-poliphony, Epirus, Iliad, Odyssey, Ethnomusicology

Massimiliano TRENTIN, The Regierungsberater in Damascus. The expertise of the German Democratic Republic in Syrian state-building: 1965-1972

The article investigates the activities of the economic experts and political advisors from East Germany working in Syria from 1965 to 1972. The German Democratic Republic actively supported the different Ba‘thist leaderships that came into power since the early Sixties and offered its expertise with regard to economic and administrative reforms. In the Cold War struggle throughout the so called Third World, the GDR focused on Syria in order to gain diplomatic legitimacy, access to domestic market as well as to drive the Arab country along the “Non-Capitalist Road” to development. Far from introducing any major element of the GDR-style socialism, the Regierungsberater contributed toward reforming some of the central state institutions and they eventually strengthened the Ba‘thist rule over Syria. However, the East German engagement was also deeply affected by domestic and regional dynamics and stand as a major case-study for the influence which external actors may have in reform-projects in Syria.
Keywords: German Democratic Republic, Ba‘thist Party, Syria, Re-gierungsberater, al Infitāḥ

Müserref YARDIM, Les Communautés religieuses Turques en Belgique: la Communauté Gülen

Although Gülen movement presents differences with other branches nurcu, its notional domain draw its inspiration from Nursî works, the Risâle-i Nûr. By the use to its advantage of means of communication, by the importance granted to education, to interfaith and cross-cultural dialogues, and by its wish to realize a synthesis between modern and religious, the Gülen community became the most important community, not only in Turkey, but also in Belgium.
Keywords: Gülen movement, Nursî, Risâle-i Nûr, Belgium, Turkey

Nadje Sadij Al-Ali: Iraqi Women. Untold Stories from 1948 to Present, Zed Books, London and New York, 2007. Reviewed by Lucia SORBERA

Keywords: Nadje Sadij Al-Ali, Iraq, Women, History, War, Social conditions

Bowersock, Glen Warren. Mosaics as History. The Near East from Late Antiquity to Islam. Cambridge, MA-London: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2006, 146 pp. Reviewed by Mattia GUIDETTI

Keywords: Glenn Bowersock, mosaic, late antiquity, Islam, Near East

Iran People Roads Landscapes, Centro Culturale Candiani, Mestre (Venice), 28.8-14.10.2007. Reviewed by Riccardo ZIPOLI, Photographing Iran: stereo-types and new visions.

Keywords: Iran, people, roads, landscape, photography, stereotypes, new visions