What Is Shinto Influence On Japanese Society

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Shinto, meaning “Ways of the Gods” was a type of ruling that did not have a strict set of laws. Shintoism was based around the ideas of nature and spiritual aspects, such as Kami. Religion and philosophy, based on the ideas of Confucius, and the Buddhist and Shinto religions, profoundly influenced Japanese society by stabilizing and unifying the country, thereby making Japan stronger. This period lasted approximately from 552 to 1573. During the period of the Tang Dynasty, Japanese rulers saw how China was benefiting from unique religious and intellectual ways. In 604, Shotoku created Japan’s first constitution, called the Seventeen Article Constitution, which combined Confucian and Buddhist beliefs (Draggoo “Shotoku”). The Confucian model …show more content…
The Yamato priests and chiefs of the Shinto religion, which developed around 500 CE, considered themselves descendants of the Sun God, Amaterasu (Ellington). Rulers were able to gain legitimacy by relating themselves to a god. Therefore, regular citizens considered priests and other religious figures superior compared to themselves. The new rulers could not simply do whatever they wanted for the society. Laws under the Seventeen Article Constitution had to be based on good morals, and the rulers were expected to follow them. Shotoku directed the people to honor and respect the decisions that were being made for Japan because he felt that it was best for the stabilization of the nation. The citizens trusted their rulers, which made for a higher quality of life. For example, one person did not have the power to make laws, based on the Seventeen Article Constitution, laws had to be made in discussion with many (Strayer 397). People did not want just one person to have the power of making decisions, in case of irrational decisions that could negatively impact Japan and its further development. People were more likely to obey the laws in which they had a say; making a positive impact on the
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