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Japan, America, and sacred nationalism
From the book: Chum for Thought: Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters by David Satterlee
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| Chum For Thought: Throwing Ideas into Dangerous Waters |
Japan, America, and sacred nationalism
The Japanese islands have remained relatively isolated
throughout their history. This has allowed for the development and concentration
of distinctive religious and cultural characteristics. Although Japan has
experienced Eastern influences (mostly Chinese and Buddhism), and Western
influences (especially Anglo/American and Christian), these have seemed to only
flavor, not disrupt, the Nipponese sense of identity. This bears a strong
resemblance to contemporary American right-wing conservatism.
From the most ancient times, Japan, and its Shinto practices
have been organized around community-clans and their respective clan gods. Even
when communities gradually expanded, community worship continued to revolve
around local guardian gods and the ancestors of extended families. Broader
political power was rooted in the relationships of confederations of clans.
This religio-cultural structure made it unlikely that religions of foreign
origin could have much impact and still remain intact. This system retained a
stable core of abiding traditions, supplemented by a somewhat more adaptive
layer of minor local traditions.
As an example, Buddhism, when promoted by certain nobles,
was assimilated in Japan by
