| Religion in Japan more than a specific set of beliefs or | | | | agricultural rites and shamanic ceremonies which |
| doctrines practiced on a daily basis, is a blend of | | | | invariably took on Japanese characteristics in the new |
| traditions that stem from the early teachings of | | | | environment. The word Shinto means "the way of |
| Shintoism and Buddhism, and which most Japanese | | | | the gods", and proclaims no specific founder or |
| have incorporated into rituals and customs that are | | | | sacred scriptures. The basic premise of the religion is |
| applied on special occasions, such as visiting a Shinto | | | | that sacred spirits known as Kami take the form of |
| shrine to mark the birth of a new baby, or attending | | | | objects and concepts significant to life, such as |
| wedding ceremonies performed by Shinto priests. | | | | mountains, trees, wind, rain, rivers, and fertility. |
| Buddhism also plays a large role in this religious | | | | Human beings are capable of becoming Kami after |
| heritage, in that most funerals in Japan are overseen | | | | they die, and the Kami of extraordinary people are |
| by Buddhist priests, who in addition to their specific | | | | sometimes enshrined as a show of respect. In |
| duties at the ceremony perform an ongoing series of | | | | contrast to many of the worlds monotheist religions, |
| rites on death day anniversaries of deceased family | | | | Shintoism does not profess to a set form of beliefs. |
| members. Many of the festivals in Japan known as | | | | The world is seen as being composed of various |
| Matsuri are also chiefly of Shinto origin, and are often | | | | shades of gray, with no absolute forms of right and |
| symbolic ceremonies representing the cultivation of | | | | wrong. Humans are regarded as being fundamentally |
| rice and the spiritual well being of the community. | | | | good, and immoral behavior is believed to be caused |
| Matsuri are popular events that are usually associated | | | | by evil spirits which must be kept at bay by Shinto |
| with Shinto Shrines, and are held annually over the | | | | rituals, prayers, and offerings to the Kami. The arrival |
| course of several days. One of the key features are | | | | of Buddhism in the sixth century exerted profound |
| processions in which the local Kami (Shinto Deity) is | | | | influence on Japan's social, intellectual, artistic, and |
| carried through the streets on a portable shrine called | | | | political life, and as a result Shinto temporarily fell out |
| a Mikoshi, often accompanied by drum and flute | | | | of favor. Fortunately the two religions were soon |
| music. Every local festival has it's own unique | | | | able to co-exist harmoniously, with many Buddhists |
| characteristics, but most tend to be noisy, energetic | | | | viewing the Kami as manifestations of Buddhas. |
| occasions that offers the community an opportunity | | | | In addition to Shinto and Buddhism, Japan was |
| to come together in joyful celebration. Although most | | | | introduced to Christianity in the 16th and 17th |
| holidays in Japan are secular in nature, News Year's | | | | centuries with the arrival of European traders and |
| Day is marked by family traditions that are based in | | | | Jesuit missionaries, resulting in the conversion of |
| Shintoism, such as the consumption of special food, | | | | thousands of Japanese to Roman Catholicism. In 1549 |
| and visiting various Shrines throughout the day with | | | | a Jesuit priest by the name of John Fernandez |
| family members to pray for blessing in the upcoming | | | | arrived in Kagoshima from Spain with hopes of |
| year. Bon Festival (Obon) in mid August is another | | | | bringing Christianity to Japan. Thinking they would |
| well known event for Buddhists which marks the | | | | reduce the influence of the powerful Buddhist monks, |
| annual visit of ancestors to the earthly plane, and | | | | the Shogunate initially supported the Christian |
| involves frequent visits to Buddhist Temples. Family | | | | movement, but as sentiment changed in the years to |
| altars are decorated with special spirit emblems, and | | | | follow Christianity was banned by the government, |
| ancestral graves are cleaned in anticipation of the | | | | and those who refused to abandon their new faith |
| return of the souls of family members since | | | | were killed. Christianity is currently practiced by |
| departed. Many people also return to their home | | | | approximately 1.3 million people in Japan. Although it |
| towns to visit relatives, and to participate in | | | | represents only a small fraction of the population, |
| celebrations such as folk dancing and prayers at local | | | | Christmas is widely observed, though in a mainly |
| Buddhist temples. | | | | secularized form. Christian organizations have also left |
| The origin of the Shinto religion is for the most part | | | | their influence by founding well known educational |
| uncertain, but some scholars ascertain it emerged | | | | institutions such as as Kwansei Gakuin University, |
| thousands of years ago as a cultural extension of | | | | International University, and Sophia University. |
| immigrants from China, who upon arriving introduced | | | | |