Shinto 3

So...the post WWII abolition of State Shinto & the Meiji declaration of freedom of religious belief has left Japanese spirituality with a colouful, if slightly vague, countenance.

Modern groups like Oomoto (with members such as Yamatsuka Eye of the Boredoms and founder of the martial art Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba) see the Divine in some very interesting places. They recognise not only notable figures from other religions as Kami, but also the creator of Esperanto, Ludwik Zamenhof. Esperanto being an attempt at a universal language, this suits the doctrine that the second leader, Onisaburo Deguchi, was a Messiah who would unite the world. Art is considered important to members, who believe that it brings humans closer to the Divine, and in a marked contrast to patriarchal Japan, Oomotos' spiritual leaders have always been women.

The group Soka Gakkai (influenced by the hardline Nichiren Buddhist sect) is Japans most powerful Buddhist sect. Accusations of intimidation and political corruption led to a reform in the laws regarding religious belief, eventually granting the Government greater powers of scrutiny in 1996. This move was fuelled mostly by the notorious Aum Shinrikyo cult, responsible for a variety of terrorist acts in Japan, culminating in the 1995 sarin gas attack on the Tokyo Metro. Since the arrest of their leader, the group has taken a more moderate approach.



Generally speaking though, many Japanese seem to regard religion as some sort of hat; borrowing traditions out of fancy. Pictured is Andy "I weren't doin' 'owt" Murray who, with his formidable Japanese skills, has a sideline as a fake priest, for those Japanese couples who want a Western style Wedding.



The truly wonderful thing about Japanese religion is that it's flexible and changes to fit modern life. One example is this rather incongruous looking building in the grounds of Kawasaki Daishi. It's a shrine dedicated to road safety, complete with a large car park in front of it, so the priests can bless vehicles en masse...naturally conjuring up images of men of the cloth standing at traffic lights with a bucket of holy water & a rag, frantically blessing windscreens & requesting donations from disgruntled drivers. Charms for road safety can also be bought at most Temples.

Shinto grows heads like a Hydra and gives birth to Gods with vigorous fertility. I read a story about a man in Higashiosaka who ran a shop selling herbal ear remedies next to a vacant lot that passing men would urinate into. He wasn't keen on that, so he erected two rocks and a shimenawa, to convince people that it was a sacred site, and ensure they wouldn't piss on it. After a while, people began leaving donations and asking him which particular Kami was enshrined. Fishing for an answer, he replied "the Kami of curing ear problems", and thus a new God was born. Over the years, the site, on a street leading to the Ishikiri Shrine, has become a small shrine in its own right.

Maybe in the 21st century, Shinto, or Japanese religion, has again come to resemble what it was before the arrival of other cultures; a folk religion, invoked when it's wanted, its lifeblood the cycle of festivals and observances that mark changing of seasons, coming of age ceremonies, and rituals to ensure good fortune.

Not really much more I can say about it except for this. Those of you who know me well will be aware of how much faith I put in statistics, but this one's a corker. Annually, the Agency for Cultural Affairs takes a census of religious groups and the members they have. Every year, the sum total of adherents claiming affiliation to a religion exceeds that of the national population.

So Japan...temples...Kami...Buddhas...what it's all really about is karaoke and beer - hurrah!




Yes indeedy, this past week we've been graced with the prescence of the lovely Rosie, giving us the chance to catch up, show her our favourite bits and me to take even more photos of Sensoji.


Thanks for coming over Rosie - it was great to see you...and as for the rest of you...we have a big flat by Japanese standards.