Religion & Mythology 01 - Overview of Japanese Religion & Mythology
Introduction to Japanese Religious Traditions

Japanese religious traditions are characterized by syncretism and pluralism, with most Japanese people practicing elements of multiple religious traditions simultaneously. The two major religions in Japan are Shinto and Buddhism, which have coexisted and influenced each other for centuries. Other religious traditions, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Christianity, have also played roles in shaping Japanese spiritual life.

Shinto: The Indigenous ReligionBasic Concepts

• Indigenous animistic religion of Japan
• Polytheistic belief system revolving around kami (神)
• No founder, dogma, or sacred texts in the traditional sense
• Emphasis on ritual purity and harmony with nature
• Focuses on this world rather than afterlife

Kami

• Supernatural entities or spirits that inhabit all things
• Include forces of nature, prominent landscape features, and ancestral spirits
• Not omnipotent or perfect beings, but powerful and worthy of respect
• Can be benevolent or malevolent depending on how they are treated
• Worshipped at kamidana (household shrines), family shrines, and jinja (public shrines)

Shinto Practices

• Ritual purification (misogi and harae)
• Offerings of food, drink, and symbolic objects
• Prayer and bowing
• Festivals (matsuri) celebrating seasonal changes and community events
• Shrine visits for important life events (birth, coming-of-age, marriage)

Shinto Shrines

• Marked by torii gates signifying transition to sacred space
• Main hall (honden) housing the kami
• Offering hall (heiden) where rituals are performed
• Worship hall (haiden) for visitors
• Purification font (temizuya) for ritual cleansing
• Sacred objects including mirrors, swords, and jewels

Japanese Creation MythologyKojiki and Nihon Shoki

• Japan's oldest chronicles, compiled in 712 CE (Kojiki) and 720 CE (Nihon Shoki)
• Contain the Japanese creation myths and early history
• Blend historical accounts with mythological narratives
• Establish divine origins of the imperial family

Creation of the World

• In the beginning, heaven and earth were mixed in a chaotic, egg-like mass
• Lighter elements rose to become heaven, heavier elements descended to form earth
• First generation of gods appeared spontaneously, including the "Three Creating Deities"
• Seven generations of kami emerged, culminating in Izanagi and Izanami

Izanagi and Izanami

• Divine couple tasked with creating the world
• Used a jeweled spear to stir the primordial ocean, creating the first landmass
• Descended to earth and built a pillar and palace
• Married and gave birth to the islands of Japan (Kuniumi)
• Produced many kami representing natural elements and phenomena
• Izanami died giving birth to the fire god Kagutsuchi
• Izanagi journeyed to Yomi (underworld) to retrieve her but failed
• Upon purifying himself after returning from Yomi, Izanagi created:
• Amaterasu (sun goddess) from washing his left eye
• Tsukuyomi (moon god) from washing his right eye
• Susanoo (storm god) from washing his nose

Amaterasu and the Imperial Lineage

• Amaterasu became ruler of Takamagahara (High Celestial Plain)
• Conflict with her brother Susanoo led to her hiding in a cave, plunging the world into darkness
• Lured out by the other kami with music, dance, and a mirror
• Her grandson Ninigi was sent to earth to rule
• Ninigi's great-grandson became Emperor Jimmu, the mythical first emperor of Japan
• Established divine ancestry of Japanese imperial line

Other Major Myths

• Susanoo's slaying of the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi
• Okuninushi's adventures and establishment of the land of Izumo
• Yamato Takeru's heroic exploits and transformation into a white bird
• Princess Konohana's rapid childbirth in a burning hut

Buddhism in JapanIntroduction and Early Development

• Officially introduced from Korea in 552 CE
• Initially faced resistance from pro-Shinto factions
• Prince Shotoku (574-622 CE) promoted Buddhism as state religion
• Adapted to coexist with indigenous Shinto beliefs

Major Schools and Sects

• Nara Period (710-794): Six Nara schools including Kegon
• Heian Period (794-1185): Tendai and Shingon (esoteric Buddhism)
• Kamakura Period (1185-1333): Zen, Pure Land, and Nichiren Buddhism
• Each school developed distinctive practices and philosophies

Tendai and Shingon

• Introduced in early Heian period
• Esoteric (tantric) practices and complex rituals
• Emphasis on mandalas, mudras, and mantras
• Established major temple complexes on sacred mountains

Zen Buddhism

• Introduced from China in late Heian period
• Emphasis on meditation (zazen) and direct experience
• Influential on samurai culture, arts, and aesthetics
• Major sects include Rinzai (emphasis on koans) and Soto (emphasis on just sitting)
• Zen gardens, tea ceremony, and ink painting reflect its aesthetic principles

Pure Land Buddhism

• Focus on devotion to Amida Buddha
• Salvation through faith rather than difficult practices
• Popular among common people
• Nembutsu practice of reciting Amida's name
• Jodo and Jodo Shin sects established by Honen and Shinran

Nichiren Buddhism

• Founded by Nichiren in 13th century
• Focus on Lotus Sutra as supreme Buddhist teaching
• Practice of chanting daimoku (title of Lotus Sutra)
• Nationalistic elements and critique of other Buddhist schools
• Various modern offshoots including Soka Gakkai

Syncretic Practices

• Honji suijaku theory: Buddha as original substance, kami as local manifestations
• Shrine-temple complexes (jingūji) where both religions were practiced
• Buddhist funeral rites combined with Shinto life celebrations
• Adaptation of Buddhist concepts to Japanese cultural context

State Shinto (1868-1945)Development During Meiji Period

• Emerged after Meiji Restoration in 1868
• Part of modernization and nation-building efforts
• Based on principle of saisei itchi (unity of religion and government)
• Separation of Shinto from Buddhism (shinbutsu bunri)
• Destruction of syncretic shrine-temple complexes
• Establishment of hierarchical shrine system

Characteristics and Ideology

• Centered on emperor worship and imperial mythology
• Emperor portrayed as direct descendant of Amaterasu
• Promotion of kokutai (national polity) ideology
• Compulsory shrine visits and emperor veneration
• Incorporation into education system and military training
• Not considered a "religion" but a state ritual system

Role in Japanese Nationalism

• Used to promote national unity and identity
• Justified Japan's imperial expansion
• Mobilized population for war effort
• Emphasized Japanese uniqueness and superiority
• Connected modern state to ancient mythological past

Dismantling After World War II

• Abolished by Allied occupation authorities in 1945
• Emperor renounced divine status in "Humanity Declaration" (1946)
• Separation of religion and state in new constitution
• Transformation of Shinto into private religious organization
• Controversial legacy in contemporary Japanese politics

Other Religious InfluencesConfucianism

• Introduced from China via Korea
• Ethical and philosophical system rather than religion
• Emphasis on proper relationships and social harmony
• Influenced samurai ethical code (bushido)
• Neo-Confucianism became dominant intellectual framework in Edo period

Taoism

• Elements incorporated into Japanese religious practices
• Influenced development of onmyodo (way of yin and yang)
• Concepts of balance and harmony with nature
• Divination practices and folk magic

Folk Religion

• Mountain worship (Sangaku Shinko)
• Shamanic practices and spirit mediums
• Household deities and protective spirits
• Folk healing and exorcism rituals
• Local festivals and customs

Christianity in Japan

• Introduced by Francis Xavier in 1549
• Initial success followed by severe persecution
• Hidden Christians (Kakure Kirishitan) during Edo period
• Reintroduction after Meiji Restoration
• Remains minority religion but influential in education and social services

Contemporary Religious Life in JapanModern Shinto

• Jinja Honcho (Association of Shinto Shrines) established as private religious organization
• Continued practice of traditional rituals and festivals
• Emphasis on cultural tradition rather than theological doctrine
• Controversial issues surrounding Yasukuni Shrine and political connections

Religious Pluralism

• Most Japanese practice elements of both Shinto and Buddhism
• Shinto for life events and this-worldly benefits
• Buddhism primarily for funeral rites and ancestor veneration
• Incorporation of secular and commercial elements into religious practices
• New religious movements combining elements of various traditions

New Religious Movements

• Emerged primarily in 19th and 20th centuries
• Often syncretic, combining elements of various traditions
• Examples include Tenrikyo, Konkokyo, Omotokyo, Soka Gakkai, and Aum Shinrikyo
• Range from mainstream to controversial
• Often emphasize healing, personal transformation, and community

Spiritual Influences in Popular Culture

• Kami, yokai (supernatural creatures), and other spiritual entities in anime and manga
• Shinto and Buddhist symbolism in video games and films
• Revival of interest in traditional mythology among younger generations
• Spiritual themes in contemporary Japanese art and literature

Yokai: Supernatural CreaturesTypes of Yokai

• Transformed animals (e.g., kitsune, tanuki, bakeneko)
• Transformed objects (tsukumogami)
• Ghosts and spirits (yurei)
• Monsters and demons (oni)
• Nature spirits (e.g., kappa, tengu)

Famous Yokai

• Kitsune (fox spirits) - shapeshifters associated with Inari
• Tanuki (raccoon dogs) - mischievous shapeshifters with magical powers
• Tengu - mountain spirits with long noses or bird features
• Kappa - water creatures with bowl-shaped heads
• Oni - ogre-like demons with horns and colorful skin
• Yurei - ghosts with specific characteristics based on manner of death

Cultural Significance

• Explanations for natural phenomena and misfortune
• Moral lessons and cautionary tales
• Entertainment through storytelling
• Connection to ancestral and nature worship
• Continued relevance in contemporary popular culture

Sacred Sites and PilgrimageMajor Shrine Complexes

• Ise Grand Shrine - dedicated to Amaterasu, rebuilt every 20 years
• Izumo Taisha - associated with Okuninushi and marriage
• Meiji Shrine - dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken
• Fushimi Inari Taisha - dedicated to Inari with thousands of torii gates

Buddhist Temple Complexes

• Todai-ji in Nara - houses Great Buddha
• Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto - dedicated to Kannon
• Koya-san - headquarters of Shingon Buddhism
• Zenko-ji - houses first Buddha statue brought to Japan

Pilgrimage Routes

• Shikoku Henro - 88 temple pilgrimage associated with Kobo Daishi
• Kumano Kodo - network of pilgrimage routes to three grand shrines
• Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage - 33 temples dedicated to Kannon
• Shinto shrine pilgrimages to regional shrines

The religious and mythological traditions of Japan continue to provide spiritual meaning, cultural identity, and artistic inspiration in contemporary Japanese society, demonstrating the enduring relevance of these ancient beliefs in the modern world.