Unity of religion and rule

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]

See also

• Department of Divinities
• Theocracy
• Separation of church and state
• State Shinto
• Controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine
• Caesaropapism
• Bureau of Shinto Affairs