Japanese Shinto: the Cult of Hachiman

Japanese Shinto: the Cult of Hachiman Shinto is a generalized term describing the various indigenous beliefs in Japan, an attempt to distinguish those beliefs from the imported ideology of Buddhism. The success of such efforts, however, was only partial, leading to the evolution of the Honji-Suijaki principle of coexistence. One of the more popular Shinto deities was Hachiman, the kami of war, whose development and growth was a secondary feature resulting from its political manipulation …

…Buddhist compared to Shinto beliefs that the sovereignty is founded on divine ancestry. With this in mind, the fragility of the Imperial institution was dangerously obvious and called for efforts to legitimize the Emperor's rule over Japan. Bibliography 1.Herbert, J. Shinto: Foundation of Japan. George Allen & Unwin: London. 1967. 2.Bocking, B. The Oracles of the Three Shrines. Curzon Press: Richmond, Surrey. 2001. 3.Picken, S. Essentials of Shinto: an Analytical Guide to Principle Teachings. Greenwood Press: London. 1994.