Japanese Religion
There are two major religions in Japan. One of them are “Shinto”,which is traditional Japanese religion. The other is Buddhism. Almost all Japanese belong to both Shinto and Buddhism “statistically”. However, the majority of Japanese people does not recognize a sense of belonging to religions,and they also consider themselves to have ‘No religion’. Although we respect many religious ideas and rituals,they think these are mere culture. But the thing that it does not really matter in Japanese society is also true.
I’m often asked about my religion or what religion Japanese belong to.
Most Japanese answer “Almost all Japanese have no religion.”
Of course there are a few people who have no religion. But I doubt the answer as an explanation of Japanese religion.
When I’m asked about Japanese religion,I answer as follows.
There are two major religions in Japan. One of them is “Shinto”,which is traditional Japanese religion. The other is Buddhism. Almost all Japanese belong to both Shinto and Buddhism “statistically”. However, the majority of Japanese people does not recognize a sense of belonging to religions,and they also consider themselves to have ‘No religion’. Although we respect many religious ideas and rituals,they think these are mere culture. But it does not really matter in Japanese society is also true.
According to religious statistical survey(2012) by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology※1,the number of adherents of each religions is as follows
Shinto ： 100,770,882 (approx.100 million)
Buddhists ： 84,708,309 (approx.80 million)
Christian ： 1,920,892 (approx.2 million)
The others ： 9,490,446 (approx.10 million)
The sum of all these totals is 196,890,529,approximately 200 million.
It means the number is more than 120 million of total Japanese population. This is the reason why “statistically” almost all Japanese belong to both Shinto and Buddhism.
Not only the thing that Japanese does not recognise their religion, but also they belong to 2 religions simultaneously are quite surprised.
Why??
Note:The following description includes personal opinions.
We(Japanese) more often respect many religious ideas and rituals than we realise. For example,most of the funeral ceremonies in Japan are observed as Buddhist ritual. We visit a shrine or a temple on new year’s day. We rely on the deities when we are in trouble. Moreover, if a person who had got away with doing bad meets with a misfortune,we say it is curses. It’s exactly religious idea.
Japanese people do not have a strong sense of religion as a whole is also true. However,even if Japanese has no religion,they should not be called atheists because many kinds of religious ideas and rituals have taken root in Japan as mentioned above.
To begin with,Shinto is polytheism. Shinto preaches that there are Yaoyorozu deities. Yaoyorozu(八百万) means 8 million literally, and is also a metaphor of “countless”. Therefore Shinto could tolerate many “gods”.
In this sense,we might be able to say that Japanese are devout adherents of Shinto in such society that customers can be god. (‘The customer is always right’ is well-known slogan in Japanese service industry.)
Shinto
Shinto, literally meaning the way of the gods, is the Japanese religion from the ancient times, centering on the ideas of Japanese intimacy with nature and ancestor worship. All things on earth were brought forth and ruled over by the gods who reside throughout all nature. Mountains and trees often become objects of worship, and Shrine archways and sacred Shinto rope mark sacred areas. Ordinarily, shrines are built there, and objects of worship in which a god or gods reside are enshrined. Shinto constitutes the foundation of the sensibility of the Japanese people, but most present-day Japanese, rather than placing faith in Shinto, feel their cultural identity through it. Shinto meanwhile supported the Emperor system in a religious sense, and even now its ancient customary practices remain as the religion of the Imperial Family.
Jinja (Shinto shrines)
Shinto shrines are buildings where Shinto deities are enshrined. At the entrances are Shinto shrine archways indicating the shrine precincts, then come the main sanctuary and other facilities. The floor of the main building is elevated and roofs are generally thatched with cogon grasses and Japanese cypress bark. The Shinto shrine is a place of deep affinity for the Japanese people, even for those who are not Shinto believers, as being observed at New Year, when virtually all Shinto shrines are thronged with worshippers for the first temple or shrine visit of the New Year. In addition, they visit the shrines on such occasions as newborn infant's shrine visit, to cerebrate the gala day for children of three, five and seven years of age, and to offer prayers.
Kannushi (Shinto priests)
Kannushi are Shinto priests who minister at Shinto shrines. They serve the divinities by making offerings and reciting a Shinto prayer. They also perform the Shinto purification for people who come to worship and execute weddings. Meanwhile, Shinto priests' work also involves shrine administration. Management, for example, of sales of written oracles, talismans, and good luck charms, and accounting of money offerings, all come under the direction of the Shinto priests.
Torii (Shinto shrine archways)
Torii are archways at the approaches to Shinto shrines and have become symbols of Shinto, indicating a sacred place where divinities dwell. Originally, they were perches for roosters offered to shrines. Two crosspieces are set on top of two upright pillars. These are everywhere in Japan. On seeing a torii, one can expect to find on the other side a Shinto shrine or a small shrine. Shinto shrine archways : Torii are archways at the approaches to Shinto shrines and have become symbols of Shinto, indicating a sacred place where divinities dwell. Originally, they were perches for roosters offered to shrines. Two crosspieces are set on top of two upright pillars. These are everywhere in Japan. On seeing a torii, one can expect to find on the other side a Shinto shrine or a small shrine.
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