Essay about A History of Japan

Most Japanese consider themselves to be mushukyo, or non-religious. Despite this fact, most practice religious rituals - of multiple religions. This is due to syncretism, the combining of differing religions, cultures, and ideologies, the Japanese society embodies a culture in which many practices of many religions are accepted into their culture.

Both Western Europe and Japan used the feudal system from the 800s to the 1700s. The two regions show economic similarities, but differ greatly with respect to politics and society.

Japanese and American culture differs in a plethora of ways, but also have several similarities, Showing that no matter how different people are they still have some sort of common ground. Japanese culture is based off of long held traditions that are derived from ancient Japan. American culture, however, is ever changing due to the nature of American society. Japanese culture favors those who conform, while punishing those who are different. On the other end of the spectrum, American culture applauds those who are different. Japanese and American cultures have drastically different social hierarchy and family roles while still having similarities in pop culture.

As Europe begins to make tremendous impacts on the New World through colonization, the Old World also began to feel the effects of this new world order. With Europe creeping into South East Asia, it was only a matter of time before they would be right on China and Japan’s doorstep. Zen Buddhist Japan has remained untouched by the Europeans, and Daimyo’s, Samurais, and Emperors continued to dominate the Japanese system. Confucian dominant China, like Japan, still did not feel the true effects of a new European order and remained virtually unaffected. However, the old order of China and Japan were about to change with the arrival of Europeans and their missionaries, who brought Christianity with them.

1. The geography of Medieval Japan consisted of gardens for tea. The civilians would create burial grounds for deaths of their leaders. This was similar to the pyramids of Egypt. As for something not man made is the very mountainous land.

Japanese Americans practice a wide range of religions. Those religions are Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity. Many Japanese tradition has been influenced by practices of Shinto and Buddhist. Massive amounts of Japanese Americans that continue to practice Buddhism. Many traditions and festivals revolve around Buddhist Institutions. For example, the Obon Festival, Which occurs in the summer, provides a chance for them to reconnect with their traditions and customs, and to eventually pass those traditions to the young. Those type of festivals are common when there are large populations of Japanese Americans. A reasonable number of Japanese people in and out are secular. Shinto and Buddhism are most often practiced by funerals or marriages, not

Shinto was the original Japanese religion, and the government use it to control its citizens, However, after Christianity and Buddhism were introduced, they can choose the religion that they want to. Christianity was first introduced to Japan in 1549, Jesuit mission. The Christians believe Jesus, and they would read the bible. Approximately fifty years after Christianity was introduced to Japan, there was three hundred thousand Japanese believe in Christianity, and that was 1.6 percent of whole Japan, even including members of the ruling class. However, due to the government being afraid that people will start to revolt, so by the year 1614, they started to expel Christianity, and whoever resist, the government would kill them, so Christianity in Japan ends. However, after they open the country again, Christianity is back in Japan. Buddhism was introduced to Japan through the silk road, by the Chinese. There were many Buddhism school, and the society was also influenced, when there’s birth, wedding, or funeral, they will visit shrine or temples, they will also attend local festivals. Religion influences people and lets them believes, to be able to live a better

Worshipping all creation as parts of a better being became an basic effect for Japan as it independently began the idea of polytheistic religion in that individual society. The belief in Shintoism came little and so the religion formed itself through readings, storytelling and myths, the country formed its own characteristics and qualities to it as well. Zen Buddhism: Buddhism originated in Indian the religion traveled to Japan through China and Korea in the 6th century, about 90 million people consider themselves buddhists. Funeral are normally done the Buddhist way and many houses hold small alter as a sign of respect for their ancestors.

Most people outside of Japan think most of Japan is not religious and that religion does not have any impact on what they do, which is not true. In fact, most, if not all, of the Japanese practice at least two religions, which are Buddhism and Shinto. Kami are deities of the Shinto religion. The Japanese consider their Emperor a kami. In the Shinto religion, only the Japanese can practice and be considered part of the religion.

Buddhism: Buddhism was one of the main religions in Japan. Buddhism arrived to Japan in 538 A.D from Korea. Japanese uses this as a secondary religion. The first religion is Shinto (神道). But They still reinforce this religion a lot throughout all of japan. They speak different religions throughout all of japan, And Buddhism is one of the main one with 71.4% of all of japan is in the buddhist community . So in conclusion japan is one of the most popular religions in all of japan.

examples: Omiwa Shrine (Nara Prefecture) *This view makes Japanese characteristics to respect Nature Ancestors …… examples: Sawara-no-taisai (Chiba Prefecture) In Japanese culture, it is natural that there exist uncountable gods ⇒It was easy for Japanese to religion from outside Japan Buddhism, Christianity and Confucianism are adopted in Japanese culture (However, Christianity was banned in Edo era) 3. Japanese Culture`s merits

Western Influence on Japan Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since western nations became involved with Japan, its changes over recent times have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economical and social differences as a result of the western involvement. The involvement was initiated by the Japanese themselves, beginning during the Meiji Period1 through current times.

After a grueling journey to Feudal Japan, the time period in Japan, which lasted from 1185 to 1603 A.D., Dr. Isaac Johnson returned to the present to tell the public about his splendiferous adventure into the past.

During its earlier years, Japan modeled itself off China’s culture. They used China’s alphabet and created their own language (Perez 17-18). At this time, the Japanese wrote many poems and books, some about themselves. One of Japan’s first religions was Shinto (Perez 13). It basically told what was right and appropriate from what was wrong. However, this religion lacked “basic elements of most world religions” (Perez 13). Somewhere in the time from 500-600 CE, they also discovered a new religion: Buddhism. Time passed and people began to hire Japanese soldiers, or Samurai to protect them. As the Samurai got stronger, they became more organized, and created a military government, or the Shogunate. The Shogun basically displaced the emperor; only allowing him to have status, while the shogun ruled

All around the world, religion is a dominant idea for many cultures; exemplifying a certain way of life, serving as a basis for faith, and bringing charity to the world, religion is a extensive concept. For several cultures and countries religion may vary according to demographics, socio-economical class, and ethnicity. Main concepts of religion in Japan are natural and superstitious based. The leading religion in Japan remains Shinto, while other religions have come and go, interweaving themselves among the Japanese society.