Matthew Calbraith Perry: The Socialization Of Japan

Firstly, the traditions within Shintoism were important to help the Japanese people to connect with their ancestors and the nature around them. The word ‘Shinto’ itself means way of the gods. It is as old as the Japanese culture and was the only religion in Japan until the 6th century. According to the Shinto religion, there exists a basic life force called kami. Kami are close to human beings and respond to human prayers. They can influence the course of natural forces, and human events. Shinto tradition says that there are eight million kami in Japan. Due to their deep respect and love for nature and Japan itself, many shrines were set up in places of natural beauty. Followers went to pray here to receive good fortune and samurai would often go to the shrines to pray for victory before and after battle. Shinto’s traditions involved having a clean lifestyle. They washed and bathed everyday which made most of japan a fresh

Japan at the turn of the century was clearly trying to westernize and change is isolated society into one more intellectually and scientifically involved with the rest of the world. When the Japanese open their ports to the western civilization food and merchandise were not the only things being traded. When ports were open the western way of living was integrated with the Japanese culture which gradually changed the way the

Before an American naval commander “opened” Japan, the country was extremely isolated. Interaction with other nations was limited. Trade was discouraged in society due to Neo-Confucian

On July 8th, 1853, four US Navy warships, commanded by Commodore Matthew C. Perry, intruded into the Bay of Edo, the former Tokyo. The intimidating fleet of Black Ships, getting their names from the black color of the vessels and the smoke from the steam-powered engines, displayed the formidable military power of the U.S. Navy and forced Japan to end its 220 years of Sakoku(鎖国), the policy of national seclusion. The Personal Journal of Commodore Matthew C. Perry, a three-volume original report narrated by Commodore Perry, documents the fleet’s two expeditions to Japan from 1853 to 1854. This journal serves as one of the most important and comprehensive primary sources for the studies of Japan–United States relations during the 19th century.

Shinto was originated in Japan and formed in five hundred BCE. Shinto “the way of the Kami” is the religion of Japan that was first used in the 6th century. Shinto has no founder, no sacred texts and no formalized system. Shinto is uniquely Japanese, and believes in a god named Kami, the Shinto believe that Kami exists both as spiritual beings but as well as in nature. The Kami is not like Western Religions, because the Kami is not perceived as an all-powerful god, but as a creative force. Buddhism was formed in the 5th century B.C.E. in northern India. The religion was started by a man named Siddhartha Gautama, who is also referred to as the Buddha or the enlightened one. The way this man started the religion was by training his meditation for six years, and then once he felt he was close to “full enlightenment” he went into meditation and vowed not to come out until he reached full enlightenment. Buddha then

Shinto and Buddhism are two different traditions that have flourished in Japan for hundreds of years. Generally, followers from one of the traditions tend to follow the guidance of the other as well, which makes the relationship between Shinto and Buddhism very rare in world religions. At first, when these two traditions contacted each other in ancient Japan, there was a lot of confusion, but eventually they were able to coexist. However, even though Buddhism and Shinto share similarities regarding flexibility and independence, there are more differences between them proven by Buddhism’s spread to ancient Japan, their contrasting practices and beliefs and the different outlooks on the afterlife.

The visit opened up a new conflict for Japan, perhaps causing a civil war. The core of Japanese values, their rulers, was built upon a philosophy of dependence to Confucian rules. Bowing to foreign pressure, viewed as barbarians corrupting Japanese beliefs, would mean abandoning the

This shows how Buddhism in Japan connects with Shintoism and makes Buddhism in Japan much different from Buddhism in China. Another example of Shintoism and Buddhism in Japan connect is “… the principal kami of Shinto came to be regarded as Buddhist deities in different forms, and Shinto shrines were ever amalgamated with Buddhist temples.” Next, let’s see how Buddhism in China is different from Buddhism in Japan. First, when Buddhism was introduced to the Chinese people from traders and merchants from India it caused “… Some early devotees of Buddhism to regarded it as an exotic form of Taoism.”

Shinto is one of the prime religions side-by-side Christianity and Buddhism. People who have a lot of knowledge in Japanese culture are conscious of this, but how many people realize how much Shintoism has changed and evolved throughout time. In this research paper, I will reveal a bit more on what the Shinto religion is, their past beliefs with how that has affected their new beliefs and their old and new rituals.

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.

Many religions are popular within the Japanese culture. Two of the most influential religions, Shinto and Buddhism that help shaped a lot of Japanese values are Shinto and Buddhism, played a large role in shaping Japanese values. Numerous similarities and differences run between these two religions; nonetheless, the Japanese often believe in more than one religion at the same time. This is possible due to the polytheistic nature of most popular religions in Japan. It is not hard to say that religion is a big part of Japanese culture because a lot of religious beliefs can still be seen in their everyday lives.

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.

Religion in Japan is Shinto and Buddhism are the two major religions. Shinto is as old and the Japanese culture. Buddhism came from the main island in the sixth century. Since then the two religions have co-existing in harmony

This led to an interesting dynamic when other Asian religions and philosophies made their way into Japan. While there might have been a certain amount of abrasiveness between Shinto and the others at first, the nature of the religion allowed a unique blending that isn't to often scene between the unique (or semi-unique) religions of multiple countries. The three most prominent influences came from Chinese Confucianism and Taoism, and Indian Buddhism. Buddhism in particular had the most influence on their religion, becoming a near inseparable part of it (Religions of the World).

The dominant religions are Shinto and Buddhism both complement each other in various ways. They have harmonious cohabitation within the nation and promote peace and harmony. Moreover, religion does not necessarily play a large part in the average everyday life of a Japanese person outside of holidays and special occasions.