Religion in Japan

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