Because the Emporer was overthrown and State Shintoism was the "Emporer System"
Because the Emporer was overthrown and State Shintoism was the "Emporer System"
The State Shinto era was from 1868 to the end of WWII
Before the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion.
There are two main branches. Secretarian Shinto (which sub divides into 13 more branches) and State Shinto Religion.
State Shinto refers to the use of the Shinto beliefs, during the Meiji Restoration and on to the point where Japan surrenders to the United States at the end of World War II, to encourage nationalistic movements throughout Japan. Unlike normal Shinto it was funded directly by the state in a period when the Japanese government refused to heavily fund other religions. The idea of the divinity of the emperor played heavily into this however even during this period there were still Shinto sects no involved in it. "Shinto" refers to that actual religion practiced in the shrines and homes, the type practiced in modern Japan without the interference of the government. Sources: Religions of the World: Shinto by Stuart A. Kallen Inside GHQ: The Allied Occupation of Japan and its Legacy by Takemae Eiji
Shinto and BuddismFigures state that 84% to 96% of Japanese adhere to Shinto and Buddhism
Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines ended in 1945.
This is true
it was organized in 1868
Shinto and Buddhism where the major religions of Japan. Japanese consider themselves as Shinto, Buddhism or both.
I think it was Shinto but I'm not quite sure. "I think it was Shinto but I'm not quite sure." So wrote the previous poster. You think? You're not sure? Why did you even bother to answer? The answer is too complex for a one-liner, but the religion of Japan was and still is predominantly Shinto. There was a State Shinto in place during World War II, but Japan was not a theocracy - indeed, it had separation of church and state written into its constitution. State Shinto was a politicized Shinto, used to underpin and justify Japan's nationalism and attitudes of racial superiority. So the answer to the question is not clear cut. Shinto was not to Japan as Islam is to, say, Saudi Arabia today. Still Shinto was adapted and selectively interpreted by the state to support the militarist government's agendas and to manipulate and control public opinion. If you want a real understanding, you need to do some deeper research. It will be worth it. You ask a good question and deserve a better answer.
Yoshida Shinto