Unity of religion and rule
Japanese political concept From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The term unity of religion and rule (祭政一致, saisei itchi)[1] refers to the unification of ritual and politics. Ritual in ritual-politics means "ritual" and religion. The word "politics" means "ritual" and politics.[2]
Under the ritualistic system, the political leader is also the religious leader. This ideology and political form is common in ancient societies governed by animist religions.[original research?][3][4] In Japan, the Oracle of miko can be traced back to the ancient theocracy, including the Yamato Kingship, where the Oracle of Wu had political authority, as well as the Ryukyu Kingdom, a system of government that was based on the Ryukyu Kingdom.[5]
Shinto is an animistic religion, and one of its characteristics is the unity of ritual and government.[6] Although not necessarily restricted to Shinto in Japanese, rites and ceremonies are used in English as Saisei itchi as a term for Shinto.[6][7][8][9] Keiichi Yanagawa defined ritual government as different from theocracy, in which a professional clergyman directly governs.[10] Ritual and political unity has been referred to primarily in the context of the ancient emperor system.[11]
Ritual and Political Unity in Japan
On March 13, 1868, the Meiji Restoration announced the Restoration of the Monarchy and the reestablishment of the Department of Divinities in a "Dajokanbudan".[12][13]
Also used on January 3, 1870, in the "Declaration of the Great Teachings" (Dai-kyo Sengen).[14][15]
Later in the Meiji era, the theory came to be replaced with Secular Shrine Theory,[16] the idea that Shinto Shrines were secular in their nature rather than religious.[17]
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