The tribune independent of Michigan. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1935, 1934-10-06

regime or of imperialistic unit,
the predominance of emotions
Buddhism or of Stole Shintoisn
the reign OF individualism or c
nationalism. We have even see
periods of narrow chauvinisr
with the banner OF Nippon ShugI
pure Japanism. and the mort
"Kokusui Hozon"--preservati c
|, national heritage which was equi
! valent TO Down with the frivolou
European systems succeedin
epochs Of broad and almost mys
teal uniyersalism.
I regret 10 be unable TO multi
, ply examples, for | must limit IN
self 10 a few striking epochs Il
Japanese history. AT very earl
age II semeed 10 be the rule
clans and tribes, then towards tn
beginning of our Christian era w
see "a powerful ruling family rs
tablished in a part of the mali
island and many tribes attached L
IL joining In the cult OF he Sun
goddess" ShintOism served to es
tablish a central authority anC
the clans and tribes of the nu.
merous islands are being welded
into a nation" A few centuries
later the first rays of the univer-
sal Sun of love and beauty shone
over Japan, and Buddhism, the
teaching of the unity of all be-
ings, the doctrine of enlightment,
of spiritual communion pervading
the whole universe was introduce
ed in Japan. The Yang element
strives desperately against this in
trusion, embodied in the military
clansmen led by the Mononbe and
Nakatomi families. But at this
critical moment of Japanese his
tory Bodhisattva. in the con-
crete.
/. History of Japanese Religion
by NJ. Anezaki
earthly meaning of this word, APP
pears in the person OF the Prince
Regent Shotoku and the religion
charity and universal salvation
The pure essence of Yin triumphs.
The doctrine OF Karma alone is
sufficient 10 nurture in the Japa-
nese soul motives OF moral respon-
sibility, and of delicacy, with dis
tinct touch melancholy. Sentti-
life is deepened and refin-
ed. The period OF Taikwa--the
great innovation follows. Buddhist
lrt flourishes. The philosophical
systems of Sanron kegon and Has
so taught to the lovers OF unsophis-
icated nature, penetrated by Shin
o intuitiyism the psychic power OF
mystic contemplation. The eighth
century is a period OF classical |
,randuer in art and splendid en-
,losion OF philosophical thought. |
But the tide OF reaction was al I
eady growing. Two centuries OF
ristocratic oligarchy followed.
from the point OF view of Shinto-
SIN. which remained deeply in
eterate in the Japanese cosmo-
onception, the triumph OF Bud
hism meant the rise of the Sun
oddess 10 supremacy. The femi-
inc aspect OF divinity. But then
usan 0 appeared again. A com
rom was reached through
.yobu Shinto which was perhaps
lore OF truce between the two
hinto Lords than compromise
etween Buddhism and Shinto.
In the over-refinement OF the
eriod OF Peace and Ease are
idden germs OF decadence. Inc Z
de decidedly turned and it meant
he coming Of the feudal regime.
he domination by the warrior
lass. the elaboration OF a manly
loraiity called Bushido. :. Inc
'aira ana Niuamoto military die
a.orship we're eminent because oil
heir ,irile simplicity. Prof. Ane-
Aki calls this carly kamakura
criod revival OF the indifeneous
pirit. a revolt OF the crude ideas
nd chiyairic temper OF warriors
gd peasants Iatina ihc fef-
s4.nc..~.. oi .Ae Arlojoerats III
hp iourlecntn century we witness
revh al oil Shinto. During thls re-
.i,al there was a strong sertioh
# national ideals when meant
he alteration OF the Throne, as
Igainst the predominance Ga seiilsh
interests. After century OF leil-
,ious striving and confusion, we
see the establishment OF the Toku-
,awa regime. A Japanese renais-
.ancp bsamed over the country dur
ny the years Of Nobunaga, Hide
yoshi and iveyasu II meant stabili-
". an Increase OF learning. ana
was followed by the bloom OF cul-
lure during the era of Genroku.
But history repeats itself. Tor the
and merchant class
in Osaka developed
their theology In opposition TO the
OF Yodo. Dualism crept
In again. A gulf separated the
class from the common
people. A spirit OF epicurianism
swept the country at the beginning
of the 1Sh century In the form %
Furiu-no-michi, living and enjoy
Ing life with mind transparent
and free. But | must be brief. Very
soon we see another and most in
teresting revival OF Shinto The
Mito school of neO-confusianism
appeared. This was development
OF the Shushi system OF ethics--a
stoicism OF the Far East. In China
1t was called the Wang Tao, the
reaching of the Way of. the gods.
These Shut and Mito ideas were,
II seems to me. the father and
mother OF Kodo. The doctrines OF
Mitsukuni the Kokutai and the
Taigi Medium. which means the
Substance OF the State" and the
"Nahor righteousness |. e. the
supremacy of loyalty to the Throne
3 II Is not that Bushido appear
ed with the feudal system; II only
became the social morality OF the
samurai. but II existed. as Mr..
Soyeshima points out, Sin prehis-
toric times--it is racial spirit
persisting since the neurological
age" Foreign influences were re-
cast in the smelling pot of Bushi-
do. "it controlled and converted all