Religious Change in Modern Japanese Society: Established Religions and Spirituality

This article examines the state of religion in contemporary Japan from the perspective of consumerism and marketization, focusing on the influence spirituality movements have had on the established religious traditions of Buddhism and Shinto as well as traditional practices such as visiting family g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJapanese journal of religious studies Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 365 - 382
Main Author Yamanaka, Hiroshi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Nagoya Nanzan University 01.07.2021
Subjects
Buddhism
Case studies
Consumerism
Households
Mass media
Religion
Religious behavior
Religious traditions
Shinto
Social values
Spirituality
Television
Temples
Japan
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Summary:This article examines the state of religion in contemporary Japan from the perspective of consumerism and marketization, focusing on the influence spirituality movements have had on the established religious traditions of Buddhism and Shinto as well as traditional practices such as visiting family graves. By introducing statistical data, the article analyzes the popular notion of shifts "away from temples" and "away from shrines" in Japanese society. As a case study, the article discusses Ehara Hiroyuki and his use of media such as television and magazines, which situates his notion of spirituality within a religious marketplace dominated by the fluidity of individual choice. These trends are not alternatives to the religious practices and worldviews of traditional religions, but rather are in continuity with dominant social values such as reverence of ancestors.
ISSN:0304-1042
DOI:10.1874/jjrs.48.2.2021.365-382