Religion In Japan

Religion in Japan is a complicated subject. While the norms and values of Japanese culture are very closely linked to religion, few consider themselves religious. This however, does not mean that the Japanese culture is full of deviant behavior. In fact most people conform to those religion related norms and values.

There are many different religions that find a home in the archipelago of Japan. Shinto, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Christianity. Christianity however, is a bit scarce in Japan. Less than two percent follow the teachings of Jesus. None of these religions play a major role in the everyday life of a typical Japanese citizen. Instead, they practice a “Folk Religion”, one that fuses elements of Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity, and Taoism. This “Folk Religion” is what influences Japanese holidays, weddings and funerals. The religion of Japan is a mosaic of religions, some are foreign, others are they’re own . Then they are all assimilated into the same, making it uniquely Japanese.

Of all the religions in Japan, Shintoism is the oldest. Shintoism is a religion that worships nature. A Shintoist believes that kami , deities that reside in all natural objects, are forces of nature and are to be worshipped in Shinto shrines, where worshippers ask for blessings. Today in modern Japan, no one really believes in Shintoism, but the effects are present. Love of nature is present everywhere in Japanese culture. Architecture, art, lanRABcaping, and poetry all express nature themes.

Buddhism originated in India and was spread into Japan by the Chinese in the sixth century AD It focuses on honoring family ancestors and it promises the possibility of an afterlife in paradise. The family is the main focus of Buddhism, not the individual, people participate in Buddhism as a family in the home. Today in Japan, Buddhism’s main lasting influences are in funerals and weddings. Buddhism left Japan in a political revolution to make way for Confucianism.

Confucianism is really more of a philosophical way of living, rather than an organized religion. It was all started by a man with the name of... who else but, Confucius. Confucianism was most prominent in Japan from the Sixteenth to the nineteenth century. Influences remain in Japan today in the forms of hard work, education, and loyalty to family and employers.

The religion that most of us here in the United states are most familiar with is Christianity. It spread into Japan in the sixteenth century, but was stomped out by the same political revolution that ended Buddhism. Christianity saw a re-emergence in the late nineteenth century when missionaries opened in the country. Today in Japan Christian values are respected and well known, although few call themselves truly Christian.

While not many in Japan are really all that religious, religion still plays a large roll in Japanese culture. The values that are deemed important from the diverse religions of Japan are kept and integrated into Japanese society. Making the Japanese a stronger people.