It is always fascinating to see and experience different beliefs and customs around the world. During my trip to Japan this summer I was able visit many beautiful shrines, temples and cemeteries, and to find out more about the importance of remembrance and memorialisation in the Japanese culture.
The Japanese tradition of death is rich in rituals, many of which are derived from Buddhism, but which have blended with the practices and beliefs of Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan.
In general, Japan has a very open and accepting attitude towards different faiths and religions, often absorbing and melding together different rituals and practices from a number of beliefs. I had read about this before my visit, but our guide in Japan confirmed that there is a saying that the Japanese have a Shinto birth, a Western wedding, and a Buddhist death.
Funerals and Different Belief Systems in Japan
Shinto and its Beliefs
Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan. It’s deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the nation and is characterized by its reverence for nature, ancestors, and the kami. In Shinto, everything has a spirit, or ‘kami’ 神. These spirits inhabit many elements of the world – mountains, rocks, rivers, animals – and exist alongside the living. Ancestors have spirits too, which protect and watch over their decendants.
Rituals are a key part of Shinto practices. These rituals provide a way for individuals to connect with the kami and the spiritual realm. They embody the beliefs and values of Shinto, emphasizing purity, community, and respect for life and death.
Buddhism and Other Belief Systems in Japan
Buddhism came to Japan from India, via China, in the 5th century. Shintoism and Buddhism often coexist seamlessly alongside each other, and most funerals in Japan incorporate both Buddhist and Shinto rituals. Through these rituals, the living assist the deceased in their journey, ensuring that the spirit is honoured and remembered, while also facilitating a smooth transition into the spiritual realm.
Western practices have also influenced some aspects of funerals in Japan, prompting a blend of traditions that cater to modern families. Mourners now incorporate contemporary elements into their funerals, such as personalized tributes and memorial services that reflect the life, character and preferences of the person who has died.
Honouring Ancestors and Familial Bonds
Family members play a central role in funeral rituals, from purification to the offering of prayers. This emphasises their connection to the person who has died and their commitment to honouring their memory.
These days, more than 99% of people in Japan are cremated. Cremation ashes may be kept in cemeteries, at home, or in both places.
Shrines (Jinja) are found throughout Japan both in cities and dotted around the countryside. They can be small, large, old or new. Most shrines are protected by a sacred archway called a Tori gate, which marks the transition into the sacred area. Many homes in Japan also have a small family shrine.
Both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines in Japan are places to remember and pay respects to the dead.
The Obon Festival
Every year in August (or July in some regions), the souls of the ancestors are honoured during Obon, one of the most important festivals in Japan. People return to their home towns to visit the graves of their ancestors and to make offerings, such as fruit and flowers. They light paper lanterns to guide the spirits home, then sweep and decorate the graves.
Celebrated over 3 days, Obon is a happy occasion filled with family, food and dancing.
Modern Memorialisation in Japan
With changes in demographics (an ageing population and a very low birth rate), a more mobile younger generation (moving away from rural areas to the cities), and a lack of space in cities, the way ashes are stored and memorials cared for is changing. I had read Caitlin Doughty’s book ‘From Here to Eternity: Travelling the World to Find the Good Death’, where she vividly describes the modern, digital columbaria that cater to these societal changes. In the state-of-the-art Ruriden columbarium, behind each of the thousands of glowing crystal Buddhas lies an urn with the cremation ashes of an individual. Digitally operated, at the press of a button or swipe of a smart card the selected Buddha lights up so that family or friends can remember and pray for their loved one. Although I wasn’t able to visit Ruriden, there is a lovely clip on YouTube from BBC’s ‘Japan with Sue Perkins’ about her visit to one of these digital marvels in Tokyo. They truly are a wonder to behold and the epitome of old meets new.
So, whilst the enduring legacies of Shinto and Buddhism are deeply embedded in Japanese culture, including the practices and ceremonies around death and memorialisation, there have been many changes and adaptations. In Japan, whatever the blend of faiths and beliefs, these rituals are not just customs, they are important expressions of love, respect, and the ongoing relationship between the living, their ancestors, and the spiritual realm. This will continue to be the case, albeit in ways that will change and evolve over time.
by Tracey Norris, Co-founder, whiteballoon