Depending on where you are in the world you will find varying cultures and ideas. Many of these cultures have roots that can be traced back multiple centuries. The culture found in premodern Japan is extremely unique, and its origins can be conveniently located. It is clear that in premodern Japan the people and their practices were profoundly impacted by religion. While there may not be one religion in particular that can be called the official religion of Japan; a combination of Buddhism, kami worship, and eventually Christianity all had an impact on Japan’s premodern culture. To find proof of such impact one need only look at the practices of the samurai, the belief in kami, or Japanese art and literature. Primarily, the well-respected …show more content…
Look no further than the story that describes the creation of the world as well as Japan. It is said that the world was created when the heavy and light particles separated and then “after the passage of seven generations, the brother and sister gods Izanagi and Izanami were instructed to create a ‘drifting land’” (Varley 12). Although some kami were extremely well known the Japanese believe that kami are “any phenomenon that is extraordinary: a natural object, historical person, ghost etc.” (Ruppert 9/3/14). Kami worship, now described as Shinto, had a profound impact on much of the Japanese in early times. The ideas and beliefs that come with Shinto are thought by Varley to be “the most important guide to behavior in Japanese history” (Varley 11). Although Shinto may not have technically been the official religion of Japan it is difficult to argue against such an intense statement because of Varley’s depth of knowledge about Japan. Another event that occurred later on premodern history cements the impact of Shinto on Japanese Culture. When the Mongols attempted to attack the Japanese they possessed an army very capable of victory. However, on two separate occasions they were defeated by typhoons. The Japanese people believed that these winds were sent by kami, and they were known as “kamikaze or ‘divine winds’” (Varley 107). The openness of the Japanese to credit events to kami show just how important this religion was to their