Institute of Divinities

The ***', used to be a government agency in Japan. It was part of the Ministry of the Interior's foreign bureau.***' The institute's main goal was to make Shintoism more respected in the Empire of Japan. It was responsible for managing shrines and was the center of Shintoism until the end of World War II.

During the early years of the Showa era, there was a revival movement of the Department of Divinities and a push to establish special divine offices in Japan. In 1940, on the occasion of the 2600th anniversary of the accession of Jimmu, the Institue of Divinities was created.

Six years later, after Japan's defeat in World War II, the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) issued the Shinto Directive, which led to the termination of the movement on January 31, 1946. As a result, the special office was abolished on the same day.

## Establishment of the Institute of Divinities

According to the Government Regulations of the Institute of Shinto Religion (Imperial Ordinance No. 736 of 1940), the Bureau of Shrines of the Home Ministry was given a higher status and became an external bureau of the Ministry on November 9, 1940. The bureau is situated at 1-2, Kasumigaseki, Kojimachi-ku, Tokyo, which is also the location of the Ministry of Home Affairs Office Building.

The president of the Bureau of Shrines was appointed by the Minister of Home Affairs. Eiji Yasui, who was the Minister of Home Affairs at that time, was the first president. The Vice President of the bureau was Ichisho Inuma, who was also the Director General of the Bureau of Shrines. Inuma served in this position until the JCG was abolished.

To manage various matters related to shrines, various organizations were established by the Institute.

## Shinto Directive and Abolition of the Institute of Divinities

After the end of WWII the GHQ issued a memorandum to the government on December 15, 1945, called "Regarding the Abolition of the Government's Guarantee, Support, Preservation, Supervision, and Supervision of National Shinto and Shinto Shrines and the Abolition of Kobu" (SCAPIN-448). This memorandum led to the abolition of the Institute of Divinities.

The Institute of Divinities was abolished on January 31, 1946, in accordance with the Imperial Ordinance No. 59 of 1946, which concerned the revision of government regulations for administrative reorganization..

## Related pages

- State Shinto
- Shrine Shinto
- Department of Divinities
- Ministry of Divinities

## Literature

- 国立国会図書館　デジタルコレクション　神社祭式行事作法　内務省神祇院教務局祭務課編集　昭和17年　書誌ID　000000664653　P15　https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1040190/1
- 国立国会図書館　デジタルコレクション　告示 / 内務省 / 第76号 / 神社祭式行事作法　明治40年　https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/2950545
- 国立国会図書館　デジタルコレクション　神社局時代を語る　神祇院教務局調査課　昭和17年　https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1057614
- 国立国会図書館　デジタルコレクション　神社本義　神祇院編集　昭和19年　https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1040153
- 国立国会図書館　デジタルコレクション　神奈川県内政部 / 神社祭式行事作法解説　昭和18年　P21　22　23　https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/1097500

## Infobox (government agency)

- **name**: Institute of Divinities
- **formed**: November 9, 1940
- **preceding1**: Bureau of Shrines, Jingu-kyo
- **dissolved**: January 31, 1946
- **superseding1**: Association of Shinto Shrines
- **headquarters**: 1-2 Kasumigaseki, Kojimachi-ku, Tokyo-shi
- **region code**: JP
- **chief1 name**: Eiji Yasui
- **chief1 position**: President
- **chief2 name**: Ichisho Inuma
- **chief2 position**: Vice President
- **parent agency**: Home Ministry
- **keydocument1**: SCAPIN-448