504 REPORT OF NATIONAL MTTSETIM, 1891. 



and theaters and dancing stages entertain them well and, moreover, the 

 good deities are pleased when the peojjle are happy. 



In the early days of foreign intercourse, when the Dutch were con- 

 lined at Nagasaki, aud every means was taken to prevent them from 

 h^arning about the ]>eople and the country, the indefatigable Kiempfer 

 was aide to gain some insight into their religious beliefs. His ac- 

 count is as follows: "The more immediate end which the followers of 

 this religion propose to themselves is a state of happiness in this world. 

 They have indeed some, though but obscure and imperfect, notions 

 of the immortality of our souls, and a future state of bliss or misery; 

 and yet as little mindful they are of what will become of them in that 

 future state, so great is their care and attention to worship those gods, 

 whom they believe to have a peculiar share in the government and 

 management of this world, with a more immediate influence, each ac- 

 cording to his functions, over the occurrences and necessities of human 

 life — and although they acknowledge a Supreme Being, which, as they 

 believe, dwells in the highest of Heaven, and though they likewise 

 admit of some inferior gods whom they place among the stars, yet 

 they do not worshij) and adore them, nor have they any festival days 

 sacred to them, thinking that beings which are so much above us will 

 little concern themselves about our affairs. " 



This is a remarkably correct summary by a man who could not have 

 known anything about the mythology itself. The " Supreme Being" 

 is the Sun-goddess, but it is strange that in a system dealing so largely 

 with the sun and moon the stars should not be conspicuously mentioned. 



The department of religion thus summed Tip the requirements of the 

 Shinto faith in 1872 :* 



1. Tliou shalt honor the gods and h)ve thy country. 



2. Thou shalt clearly understand the principles of heaven aud the duty of man. 



3. Thou shalt revere the Mikadot as thy sovereign and obey the will of his court. 



INFLUENCE OF SHINTO UPON THE NATIONAL CHARACTER. 



The religion of a jieople dominates their thoughts. This fact too fre- 

 quently leads to a totally erroneous interpretation. It is the thoughts, 

 fears, beliefs and dreams of a people which have made their religion. 

 This, when formed into a system, either by natural growth or by the 

 labor of an organized priesthood, becomes an expression of the religious 

 thoughts and feelings at the time — otherwise a system so formed would 

 be rejected by the people. Once accepted it becomes the dominating 



* Griffis : The Mikado's Empire. 



t Implicit obedience to the Mikado is required. It is admitted that he may not 

 always be good, but as his real character is that of a god, his authority is never to 

 be disputed. It is a lemarkable fact that never during the history of Japan have 

 the peojjle knowingly rebelled against or opposed the will of the Mikado. They 

 have been misled at times by designing leaders, 1)ut in intent they have erer been 

 faithful. The possession of the Mikado's person has always been :» source of strength 

 to either of the eonteudinjj forces. 



