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Japan's over its history has been influenced by several religions.Shinto and Buddhism are the two major religions. These two religions have co-existing in Japan for centuries. Unlike religions in other countries, these two religions seem to have complemented each other. Most Japanese people will identify themselves as Buddhist or Shintoist. Some will say they are both. Shinto is the one religion that has been a part of Japanese culture since recorded history. Buddhism came later and arrived in the 6th century AD. Buddhism seems to have had an impact on Shinto practices as Shinto has influenced Buddhist beliefs. This interaction can be seen, for example, in honji suijaku, in which shinto kami came to be seen as the incarnations of Buddhist deities.
Shinto is the one religion that has been a part of Japanese culture since recorded history. Shinto is known to have existed in Japan as early as 500 BC. It could well have existed even earlier. It is not an easy religion to describe because its beliefs are so amorphous. Shinto comnines religious beliefs that must have existed in prehistory, especially nature worship. Shinto also includes strands of fertility cults, divination, hero worship, and shamanism. Essentially Shinto is the pre-historic Japanese animistic bebliefs that have been gradually organized into an actual religion by the influence of more organized religious thought from China--both Buddhism and Confuscianism. Shinto has been called more of a collection of ancient rituals and customs than a sytemized modern religion. The term "Shinto" appears to date from the 8th century AD. It seems to have come from the Chinese words "shin tao" meaning the "The Way of the Gods". About this time the Yamato dynasty extended its control over much of the Japanese Home Islands. As is common in dynastic rule, the Yamato claimed devine origins and began to employ Shinto as well as Buddhism as a state religion. Buddhism had by this time become largely intertwined with Shinto. This close relationship between Shinto and the Japanese state continued for more than a millenia and was not broken until Japan's defeat in World War II. General MacArthur as part of the American occupation dew up a new constitution separating religion and state. Emperor Hirohito was required to renounce his divinity (1946) and promote a new constitutional monarchy. Shinto is unusual in world religions as it is a national religion and there is no historical founder. Individuals play key roles in the other great religious traditions. In addition there are no ancient scriptures or body of religious law. Shinto instead has a rather informally organized priesthood. Shinto has three important compilations of basic beliefs and cistoms. Two of them were completed at the time that the Yamato established Shinto as the state religion. The Kojiki was completed in 712 and the Nihongi in 720. Two centuries later the Yengishiki was completed in the 10th century, completing the Shinto triad. An important Shinto being arte the Kami, supernatuaral and largely benign beings. The center of Shinto gradually became the sun goddess. The Yamato claimed descent from the sun goddess.
Buddhism arrived in Japan after Shinto a native religion had been well established. Buddhism came later (6th century AD). There was not just one single event in which Buddhism was brought to Japan. Rather it was constant contact with China and Korea which allowed Buddhism to reach Japan. Buddhism arrived as a series of imports over an extended period.
Buddhists from China and Korea traveled to Japan and Japanese devotees and monks traveled to China and Korea. Trade and commerce were the primary medium. China was able to conquer Korea, but never Jsapan. Even the Mongols failed. Thus many strains oif Buddhism were introduced to Japan and this only multiplied over time. This was part of the wider transition of Chinese cultural traditions to Japan. Wjile a Chinese import and influenced by trends on the mainland, Buddhism in Japan developed its on destinct character and pursued paths that did not develop in China itself. not followed on the mainland.
One of te interesting developments in Japan was the relationship between the native Shinto faith and the imported Buddhist religion. In most countries different religions become competitors for the faith of devotees. In Japan, however, the two religions coexisted and influenced each other. Not only did the Japanese people worshipo at both Shinto shrines and Budhist temples, but elements of Buddhism became deeply itertwined with Shinto. Political leadershio, both the emperpor and shoguns did not interfere, in shsarp contrast to the approach taken to Christianity. Thus Buddhism had an impact on Shinto practices as Shinto has influenced Buddhist beliefs. This interaction can be seen, for example, in honji suijaku, in which Shinto kami came to be seen as the incarnations of Buddhist deities. The militarist regime thar rose in Japan after World War I took a different approach. Shinto not only was the state religion with requyire attendance at important celebrations, but the military set out to clense Shinto og Buddhist influences.
The European voyages of discovery led by the Portuguese sought to open trade with the East. The Portuguese were the first to reach Japan (1542). The Portuguese landed on Kyushu in Western Japan. The Portuguese brought modern weapons including muskets and cannons. The Japanese barons on Kyushu saw the advantages of foreogn trade, both the profits
and the advantages to be gained with improved weapons. Along with the Portuguese and subsequently Spanish merchants came priests and spread the faith was an important part of the Spanish and Spainish outreach. The profits and weapons caused the Japanese barons to tolerate the Jesuit missionaries who aggressively promoted conversions. The Jesuits at the time had a monopoly and were successful in converting large numbers of Japanese, mostly in Western Japan. Tge conversions included not only peasants, but members of the ruling class. Father Francis Xavier launched a mission to the capital at the time of Kyoto (1550). Franciscan missionaries began arriving in Japan and competing with the Jesuits. Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued the first banning order (late-16th century). The Shogun as he expanded his control over Japan was concerned by what he saw as the disruptive foreign influence and Christian challenge to traditional values. He also saw the Christian barons as achallenge in his absolute authority. Hideyoshi issued a more definitive banning order (1597). He had 26 Franciscan missionaries executed in Nagasaki, an important port, as a vivid warning. The next Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu, intensified the persecution of Christianity, issusing additional edicts.
The Shogun brutallyh supressed the Shogun. He launched a major military campaign against the Christian barons, decisively defeating them (1638). Large numbers of Christians were killed and the faith was extinguished in Japan for several centuries as the Shogun closed Japan off from foreigners. Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu was determined to reign as an absolute ruler and to maintain traditional Japan as it existed. The Christian barons presented a challenge to his authority. And Christianity and foreigners presented a challenge to traditional values. Even an absolute ruler can n0t hold time still. Gradually Japanese society did change. Many of the changes already in process were brought to a head when Commodores Perry's Black Fleet forced the opening of Japan (1853). This lead to the Meiji Restoration (1867). The Emperor proclaimed freedom of religion (1873). Christianity appeared again with the opening to the west. The American World War II occupation both strengthened existing and introduced new Western influences, including Christianity.
There are now about 1-2 million Japanese Christians. This is about 1 percent of the population. Japanese Christians live primarily in Western Japan. This was where the missionary activities were the strongest (16th century). This was not because of any lingering Christian belief, but because this was where the ports and the Western connections more pronounced. While only a very small number of Japanese are Christians. Some outwardly Christian customs have, however, become popular in Japan. Japanese brides like white dresses. St.Valentine's Day has become popular. We also see Christmas figures, most secular images like Santa Clause and Christmas trees.
Japan has also been influenced by Confucianism and Taosim. Although not conquered by The Chinese, Japan was significantly influenced by Chinese culture. Confucianism in particular affected ethical and political philosophy.
The influence of Taoism can be seen in the use of the Chinese calendar and fortune-tellers.
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