Japanese Philosophy

Japanese Spirituality
shaped and influenced by Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoist teachings

2 Kinds of Religion
Mystical Prophetic

Prophetic Religion
the revelation of God gives man the basic principles of his social life. Devoting himself to this revealed truth, he tries to live a righteous life.. (Kishimoto 1959: 26)

Mystical Religion
a brilliant inner experience within man at the depth of mind *and+ through this experience man feels harmoniously united with the cosmic law [and] discovers a new meaning of life.

First Principal Characteristic of Japanese Spirituality

Ubiquitous and Prevalent

Kami
supernatural beings divine or above

The Kami may be anywhere, their influence at once vague and powerful (Jeren and Robinson 1989, 13)

Kami has several classification; nature, divine, human and animal. (Anesaki 1956)

This respect for nature is so predominant the Japanese have what I would like to call a romantic relationship with nature.

Examples:
The picnics held under the trees to enjoy the view of the cherry blossoms (sakura) is one manifestation of this national consciousness. The favorite pastime of flower viewing (hanami) every spring may seem banal and mundane.

In Art, Japanese spirituality likewise finds expression, aslo replete with those themes.

Japanese have even found a beautiful and ceremonial way of committing suicide and facing death, ie.
Harakiri (Way of the Warrior/Samurai) it is consider glorious to die courageously in battle

Matsuri
A festivals of either Shinto or Buddhist character a proof of some of the brilliant expressions of those sentiments

2nd Principal Characteristics of Japanese religion

*that+ access to the spirits is afforded through rituals (Jeremy and Robinson 1989, 13)

Purification
Most important of the rituals Concerned with the proper observances before approaching the deities

New Year & O-Bon (Festival for the Dead)

Two major holiday in Japan The major cleaning is done every end of the year is also a purification ritual in preparation for the coming New Year.

The festivals, of course, involve the summoning the deities.

In shinto ceremonies, the deities are believed to temporarily reside in a mikoshi or portable shrine, which gets paraded around the neighborhood to purify and bless it. Mikoshi bearers believed to be guided by the spirit of Kami

Supplication
Concerns more the needs and personal requests of the devotees Something universal and common to all forms of spirituality

Charms and Talismans

Are also ubiquitous as the shrines and temples themselves

Daruma Doll (Sanskrit: Bodhidharma)

Round and red with unpainted eyes, popular when one wishes for something to be fulfilled or has a task to be completed (symbolized by painting one eye) Symbol of patience and perseverance

Thanksgiving Ceremonies
Nature deities are thanked for a bountiful harvest in Niinamesai (Great Offerings of the First Fruits)

Another way of expressing gratitude is deifying individuals.

Example:
The great shogun Ieyasu, has been deified and his soul is supposedly enhrined in the grandiose Nikko

Vis-a-vis
The deification is the practice of erecting a shrine or temple to house the spirit or as a dedication to the souls

3rd Principal Characteristics of Japanese Religion

veneration of ancestors (Jeremy and Robinson 1989, 13)

 In Japan, ancestors have different classifications. The venerations rituals may also vary Shinto or Buddhist, or a syncretism of both.