Japanese Religious Views (日本人と宗教観）

The Japanese see Shinto as the nation's native religion.

Buddhism is viewed as the country's philosophical backbone , and Christianity

as an idea reflecting Western values and culture. Interestingly, the three remain mingled in the dairy lives of most Japanese .

Christmas has become one of the most popular days of the year in Japan , and each person has his or her own particular way of celebrating it. Yet, a few days after Christmas, the same Japanese make their ways to Shinto shrines to pray for good luck in the year ahead. And many of their ancestors rest in cemeteries at Buddhist temples. What may add more confusion is that most Japanese don't think of themselves as having any particular religion .

『Rites of passage　冠婚葬祭』

The most important events in a person's life are refected to as kan-kon-so-sai.

Kan refers to the ceremony in which a young person becomes recognized as an adult. In modern times, people over twenty are considered to be adults .

Kon refers to marriage. The marriage ceremony is carried out according to either Shinto or Christian customs, and only in rare cases according to Buddhist customs, Wedding are not performed based on the religious beliefs of those being married ; instead, they are performed to some extent with fashion in mind .

So refers to funerals. This ceremony is carried out in accordance with the religious practices of the family of the departed. After one dies, two ceremonies commonly take place. In most cases, in the evenig on the death, the first ceremony is held. And the following day, the main funeral ceremony takes place.

Sai refers to a special gathering at which people remember a person who has passed away. At such times, the customs and rituals vary according to whether Shinto or Buddhist rituals are followed. What is common to both is that on particular days and years after the death, family and other close relations gather to pray for the souls of the departed.

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