Religion

Shinto (the native religion of Japan), Buddhism (a much-traveled foreign import originating in India), Confucianism (a Chinese import that is less a religion than a code of ethics), Taoism and even Christianity all play a role in contemporary Japanese social life, and are defining in some way of the Japanese worldview. Religions, for the most part, are not exclusive of each other. Shinto grew out of awe for manifestations of nature such as sun, water, rocks, trees and even sounds. All such natural features were felt to have their god and shrines were erected in particularly sacred spots. Many Shinto beliefs were incorporated into Japanese Buddhist practices after Buddhism was introduced in the 6th century.

The Japanese regard Confucianism as a code of moral precepts rather than a religion. Introduced into Japan at the beginning of the sixth century, Confucianism had a great impact on Japanese thought and behavior, but its influence has declined since World War II. The Jesuit missionary Saint Francis Xavier brought Christianity into Japan in 1549. It spread rapidly in the second half of the century, an age of internal strife and commotion, being welcomed by those who needed a new spiritual symbol as well as by those who hoped to obtain trade benefits or new Western technology, especially firearms. Following the unification of the nation toward the end of the sixteenth century, however, the authorities suppressed all potential for further change and prohibited Christianity as subversive to the established order. Christianity remained banned until the middle of the nineteenth century, when Japan reopened its doors to the world.