Myth and Deity in Japan: The Interplay of Kami and Buddhas

by Kamata Toji

Shinto is a tradition native to Japan that arose naturally on the eastern fringe of the Eurasian continent and was woven over many years into the fabric of people's everyday lives. When Buddhism entered the country in the sixth century, the two religions—rather than competing with or seeking to marginalize the other—coalesced, embracing many other folk deities as well to create a singular combinatory religious culture that continues to permeate Japan's cultural life today. This English translation of a book originally written in Japanese by one of the country's most knowledgeable, penetrating, and eclectic scholars of Japanese religion and spirituality presents an engaging overview of the country's religious legacy, as well as offering insights into how religion can become a force for peaceful coexistence, rather than violent extremism.

Genres: Japan

217 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[RunRiverRead · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book looking for something on how Kami and Buddhas interact in Japan, but this ended up being much more about the history of said interactions than about the gods themselves.

I found it a good read anyways, though I think the book could have benefited greatly from a visual timeline, as Kamata's history isn't strictly chronological and it is hard to visualise how events line up, especially as someone unfamiliar with Japan's history.

Kamata also, for whatever reason, chooses to drift from the book's subject matter on religion to discuss the ethics of war in the modern era. I didn't enjoy this bit of soap boxing, especially when he came upon the idea that a universal religion is the solution to all this fighting. An expert on Shinto and Buddhism he seems to be, but he clearly lacks understanding of how western religions like Christianity and Judaism are incompatibly different ideologically.

I would still recommend this book for anyone looking for an over-view of the various versions of Shinto and Buddhism in Japan across history, as it's a good jumping-off point for further research. The end notes provide many English sources for further study.