When Shinto Became a “Religion"

Summary

This video explores Shinto, its role in Japanese culture, and its historical evolution, particularly its status as a religion. The speaker references scholars and historical events, including the Meiji Restoration and World War II, to illustrate Shinto's fluctuating classification as both a civic tradition and a religious belief system. It examines how Shinto became intertwined with Japanese politics, state rituals, and nationalism. The video concludes by discussing the blurred lines between religion and state, drawing parallels with American civil religion and raising important questions about the definition of religion in society.

Takeaways

• 📚 Shinto is more than a religious faith—it is an amalgam of attitudes, ideas, and ways of doing things, deeply integrated into Japanese culture.
• 🗝️ The concept of 'religion' was introduced to Japan in 1853, translating to 'shukyo,' meaning sectarian teachings, a shift prompted by interactions with Western powers like the United States.
• ⚔️ During the Meiji Restoration (1868), the Japanese government formalized Shinto as a state institution, creating 'State Shinto,' which emphasized the emperor’s divine status.
• 🛡️ The separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the Meiji period led to violent conflicts, as they had been interwoven for over a thousand years in Japan.
• ⚖️ The distinction between 'religion,' 'non-religion,' and 'superstition' in Japan was a legal necessity, affecting how religious movements like Omoto and other sects were treated by the government.
• 💣 After World War II, the Allied powers, particularly the United States, redefined Shinto’s status, abolishing 'State Shinto' and designating shrines as private religious institutions.
• 🏯 Shrines like Yasukuni, which enshrine war dead, including war criminals, remain highly controversial in modern Japanese politics, influencing diplomatic relations with China and Korea.
• 🎓 The blurred lines between civic and religious rituals in Shinto still cause debates on the separation of church and state in Japan, similar to issues in the United States.
• 🌟 Shinto practices remain embedded in Japanese culture through personal rites of passage, such as the Shichi-Go-San ceremony for children, and maintaining household shrines.
• 🌍 Understanding Shinto’s history provides insight into how definitions of 'religion' shape policies and societal norms, impacting political and cultural landscapes in various contexts.

Q & A

What is the main argument Onosokyo makes about Shinto in his book *The Kami Way*?

Onosokyo argues that Shinto is more than just a religious faith; it is an amalgam of attitudes, ideas, and ways of doing things that have become an integral part of Japanese life. This perspective suggests that Shinto extends beyond the domain of religious belief into the cultural and social practices of Japan.

Why is it important to consider Shinto as a 'way of doing things' rather than merely a belief system?

Understanding Shinto as a 'way of doing things' emphasizes how religion influences behavior, rituals, and cultural practices. For many Japanese, Shinto is deeply embedded in both personal and communal life, guiding how people celebrate life events, honor the dead, and interact with sacred spaces.

What role did Commodore Matthew Perry play in Japan's understanding of religion?

Commodore Matthew Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 brought Western concepts, including the idea of 'religion.' His mission included advocating for religious freedom for Americans, introducing Japan to the Western Protestant notion of religion as a personal belief system distinct from public life, which led Japanese translators to define religion as 'shukyo' (sectarian teachings).

How did the Meiji Restoration impact the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism?

The Meiji Restoration enforced the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, which had been intertwined for over a millennium. This led to a wave of violence against Buddhist temples and a significant reorganization of shrines and religious practices, as Shinto was reinstituted as a key element of the state's national ideology.

What was 'State Shinto,' and how did it differ from traditional Shinto practices?

State Shinto was the official government-sponsored version of Shinto, focused on promoting national unity and the emperor’s divine status. It was framed as a non-religious civic practice, with rituals performed out of patriotic duty, rather than personal belief, to strengthen the authority of the emperor and the state.

How did the American occupation after World War II change Shinto’s role in Japan?

After World War II, the American occupation abolished State Shinto through the Shinto Directive, categorizing all Shinto shrines as private religious institutions and separating Shinto from the state. This was part of the U.S. effort to prevent militaristic nationalism by disbanding the state control over religious institutions.

What controversy surrounds the Yasukuni Shrine in modern Japan?

The Yasukuni Shrine, which enshrines Japan's war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II, remains controversial. Visits by government officials to the shrine are seen by some as acts of patriotism but by others as glorifying Japan's imperialist past, leading to tensions with countries like China and South Korea.

What does the video suggest about the distinction between religious and civic rituals in Japan?

The video suggests that the boundary between religious and civic rituals in Japan is blurred. State Shinto was positioned as a set of civic rituals rather than religious ones, and even today, practices like shrine visits can be seen as patriotic rather than purely religious, raising questions about the separation of religion and state.

How does the video link Shinto to contemporary Japanese politics?

The video highlights how Shinto still influences modern Japanese politics, particularly through controversies around shrine visits by politicians and right-wing groups like the Shinto Seiji Renmei, which advocates for a return to a Shinto-centric government. This demonstrates the lasting political relevance of Shinto practices and beliefs.

What is one of the key takeaways from studying Shinto and its changes over time, according to the video?

One of the key takeaways is that religions, including Shinto, evolve over time, shaped by historical and political contexts. Understanding how Shinto has transformed, especially during the Meiji Restoration and post-World War II, helps us see the fluid relationship between religion, culture, and politics in Japan and other societies.