Day 8 (八) 5-23-09

Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto’s, all mixed together to form the country known as Japan. Most Americans have many preconceptions about religion that the Japanese do not share. One of these is preconceptions is that a person cannot hold one religion at a time. In Japan, at least for most Japanese, the mixing of Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto into one unit of religious or cultural observance is common. One destination on our tour is Nara, which is about an hour away from Kyoto and in the Kansai region of Japan. I probably should have said this yesterday, but both Kyoto and Nara are in a region of Japan known as the Kansai region. This region was where Japanese civilization developed its traditions, practices, language, and heritage that it keeps today.
Given this, Nara was the ideal place for an in depth look at the religious aspect of Japan. We took a train early this morning and headed for Nara. Nara was the capital of Japan for about half a century prior to the establishment of Kyoto as the capital. One thing that should be pointed out about Nara is that it is a very popular historical destination for the Japanese people. People, and on this day my group, come to this place by the thousands every day to visit two sites in particular- the Kasuga Shrine, and the Todai-ji.
The Kasuga Shrine is a Shinto shrine of the Fujiwara family. Many Japanese people come here to visit the shrine and ask for good fortune. There was even a wedding going on in the middle of the shrine itself. The most interesting aspect of this shrine is the freely roaming, tame deer that wander the park. When we first entered, we witnessed a man being viciously chased by a pack of them. Apparently you are allowed to feed them, and they will get feisty with you if you do not capitulate to their demands and give them some of your food. Hilariously, Japanese parents bring their children to the shrine, only to permanently scar them psychologically as massive, antlered deer attempt to surround them if they are holding food. Nonetheless, I was impressed with the tranquility of the shrine. Shinto shrines are designed to encompass nature, as part of the shrine experience itself is the nature surrounding the shrine buildings.
Next to the shrine is the Todai-ji, a massive temple dedicated to Buddha. Unlike the Shinto shrine, the Todai-ji itself was elaborate and did not harmonize with nature well. It was pretty, but did not encompass barren nature as part of the temple experience. Upon entering the temple, one was greeted by a massive statue of Buddha and several smaller statues flanking him. As in the shrine, people would walk up to designated areas within the temple and clap and bow. This was for paying respect.
Dr. Londo gave us a brief overview of how the majority of Japanese people approach religion. As stated before, many Japanese people mix Christianity, Buddhism, and Shinto practices into the everyday discourse of their lives. He stated that it can be generalized that Japanese people are born with Shinto traditions in mind, as Shinto ceremonies and fortunes are involved in the birthing process, married Christian, as many of them have Christian-style weddings, and die Buddhist, as Buddhist temples and priests facilitate many funerals. This is a mentality that is very foreign to many Americans and Europeans, as we are used to the strict lines dividing state, church, and religions themselves. The three also have personal meaning for Japanese people, as it is not just rituals. Many Japanese people go to shrines and temples for good fortune, and usually these fortunes are dispensed thru the selling of fortunes inside and outside the temples and shrines.
Upon leaving Nara, we headed back to our hotel. My roommates, some of the girls, and I decided to go karaoke that night. I became of fan of Queen upon realizing just how much better Freddy Mercury sounds than I do while singing “Bohemian Rhapsody.” And I just have to get this off my shoulders, but I actually enjoyed singing the Ken part in “Barbie Girl”…
…Tomorrow, my group is visiting the local provincial warlord and his wife…