The term “Shinto” refers to the native religion of Japan, which has historically had a significant impact on many people’s lives in terms of politics, society, and even the economy. The Shinto religion still values several ancient rituals developed throughout those times. The procedures are rigorously carried out to establish the relationship between the past and the current happenings. However, research indicates that these historical documents do not provide a clear picture of how Shinto, as a religion, came to be accepted in Japanese society.
The term “Meiji Restoration” frequently refers to the series of transformations that took place after the installation of the new government, such as Japan’s opening to the outside world, the abolishment of the samurai class and feudal domains, the establishment of the modern Cabinet system in 1885, the declaration of the Meiji Constitution in 1889, and the opening of the Parliament in 1890 (Kitaoka, 2018, 13). The works offer disjointed myths, stories, and folklore. Shinto is used in modern Japan to describe communal shrines for various events, such as weddings, harvest festivals, war cenotaphs, and tributes to historical figures and sects. By employing standardized language and practices, which include adopting an equivalent style in apparel and ritual, several historians and analysts define the place of Shinto in contemporary culture.
The term “the way of the Gods” was the origin of the term Shinto. It was a Chinese name made up of the characters kanji (shi), which suggests the spirit, and kami (to), which denotes a theoretical course of study. The hearts were typically perceived from various angles; some believers claimed they resembled humans, while others had an animistic viewpoint. Most believers believed that they were abstract objects, which meant that they symbolized nonfigurative forces like rivers and mountains. People and spirits are inextricably linked, which means that they are interdependent. In fact, because of the complexity of the interaction between humans and spirits, a person’s behavior is always influenced by the existence of ghosts.
According to Japan’s national statistics, more than 80% of the population practices Shinto as a cultural activity rather than strictly as a religious practice (2019). Studies also reveal that some people follow Shinto ceremonies in addition to practicing Buddhism, demonstrating that this is a cultural practice among the people of Japan. In this sense, Shinto is regarded as a cultural belief that significantly impacts the lives of many individuals, including other non-Shinto believers. Given the diversity of Japanese society, studies demonstrate that Shinto is considered a way of life rather than a religious activity. For instance, many people, including those who practice Shinto as their religion and those who believe in Buddhism, frequently gather in Shinto shrines to celebrate the birth of their loved ones.
Shinto culture cannot be separated from Japan or the Japanese because it significantly impacts many Japanese people’s lives in various ways. Shinto was made the state religion at some point in history, considerably moving societal ideals. In other words, it should be highlighted that Shinto culture is linked to Japanese nationality. A political idea known as nationalism contends that choices should always be taken at the international level, with the nation-interests state taking precedence over all others. The fact that the Japanese populace always considers the Shinto religion’s teachings suggests that policymakers have always been influenced by it.
According to Shinto prodigies, Japanese rulers were always blood relatives, which meant they were connected to the same clan. The first emperor, the grandson of Amaterasu-Omikami, was Jimmu Tenno, establishing this tie in an uninterrupted sequence. The kami was the first Japanese national figure to play a role in the establishment of the country of Japan. Japan is an ancient nation whose ruler was referred to as kami. Amaterasu was the first ruler of the kami, the ancestors of all Japanese people. Even though it descended from the kami, the royal family was the most cherished family structure in the entire clan. This demonstrates that the gods preferred Japan to be the way they were.
Furthermore, the people of Japan had a religious duty to support the leadership because God chose the nation’s leaders. All emperors were required to worship the kami and make sacrifices before conducting any official business to shield the Japanese people from harm. A court liturgy was created to ensure that deities were worshiped before any official business could be completed. Buddhist practices appeared to take hold in the succeeding centuries. Still, they included several Shinto components, indicating that Shinto was more of a cultural factor than a theological conviction.
Shinto acquired control of governmental operations toward the end of the 17th century, which led to the Meiji Restoration. As a result, in 1868, Shinto became the official religion of Japan. Amaterasu, the first emperor of Japan and a devout follower of Shintoism was elevated to a god. The Shinto religion trained the Japanese leader to be both a political and a religious leader. In other words, the president of the nation became a high priest. Therefore, the emperor would have power over Japan and the rest of the world. Japanese had a moral obligation to make sure they shared their skills with others since they were related to God. Her status in society changed because of the emperor’s association with God, indicating that he was also respected in religion.
According to some analysts, the Japanese emperor was such a dominant figure in the country that he did not adhere to the law. Because she was both a temporal and a political leader in the 20th century, the emperor had insufficient authority. Nobody would doubt her jurisdiction if she could release the troops at will. However, the emperor ruled it unlawful for a person to practice any other religion save Shinto. Article 28 of the Meiji constitution granted citizens the option to worship any god they chose (2019). The Shinto faith was the center of all spheres of life, including the political, social, and economical. Shinto religion has been added as a national core subject in primary and higher education. It is accurate to say that the Shinto religion dominated many people’s lives in Japan until 1946, immediately following World War II.
References
Kitaoka, S. (2018). The significance of the Meiji Restoration. Asia-Pacific Review, 25(1), 5-18. Web.
The Constitution of the Empire of Japan. (2019). National Diet Library. Web.
Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. (2019). Statistics Bureau Home Page. Web.