“Historicizing Modern Shinto: A New Tradition of Yasukuni Shrine”, an article written by Michiaki Okuyama outlines various definitions of Shinto Shrines. In the article, Okuyama encloses changes that emanated during the reign of Koizumi. During the reign of Koizumi, Ms. Wu Yi, a prime minister of China had visited Japan over some issues only to be avoided without any pressing reason. According to Okuyama, Koizumi had ignored Ms. Yi as one of the ways of keeping the secrets of Shinto Shrines (Michiaki, 1).
As outlined by Okuyama, the Japanese spent much of their time in the shrines worshipping. This is because the Shinto Shrines included natural aspects that were believed to be the dwelling places for the spirits. For instance, the majority of the Japanese believed in the spirit of nature that enclosed a diversity of natural aspects including rivers, rocks, and mountains. Despite all the practices enacted by the Japanese over their ritual matters, Okuyama explained in her article the inability of the Japanese in knowing what they were practicing. As per the article, the Japanese believed in their performed rituals not relating to Shinto practices (Michiaki, 3).
Despite Shinto Shrines being religious, they did not exist as an independent religion. According to Kuroda as outlined by Okuyama, Shinto was an extension of Buddhism that emanated during the introduction of Buddhism in Japan. However, the coming of power of Meiji led to the separation of Shinto from Buddhism granting it the opportunity of becoming independent religion. This was because Japan acquired different constitutions namely the Meiji Constitution and the Constitution of Japan. Okuyama further expresses how Meiji Constitution later proclaimed Shinto Shrines as basic veneration for the nation leading to the declaration of rules that made the visiting of the Shinto Shrines obligatory.
The conversion of Shinto Shrines into Shinto State led to the encompassing of Shinto as a military and propaganda-oriented state, which led to it losing its religious definition. However, the end of World War II contributed immensely to the reconsideration of Shinto as a religion, a decision that contributed much to the growth and success of the Yasukuni Shrine.
Although Yasukuni Shrine meant “Peaceful Country”, the things and events that took place within it portrayed an uncouth picture to other nations leading to the loss of Yasukuni and Shinto Shrine’s national patronage. For instance, in addition to Yasukuni Shrine accommodating the enshrined heroes of the country, it also housed dead criminals, an act that kept many Japanese leaders unsound to other nations. Okuyama further relates the act of paying respect to the enshrined dead people to practicing of cult, which is unspiritual (Michiaki, 7).
In her article, Okuyama reflects the religious beliefs of the citizens of Japan. Throughout her article, Okuyama portrays the ways and methods used by the Japanese to express their gratitude to the people who played great roles in their country. According to Okuyama, the Japanese believe much in deceased people that left strong feelings on the living people. According to Okuyama, all feelings, regardless of being positive or negative, play crucial roles in making the deceased eminent persons in Japan. The paying of respect to the dead criminals is a show of lack of concern on the living individuals. In addition, worshipping of the dead portrays the evil beliefs enacted by leaders in protecting their position in the country.
References
Michiaki, Okuyama 2009, Historicizing Modern Shinto: A New Tradition of Yasukuni Shrine. PDF file. 2012. Web.