Saisei Itchi

Saisei itchi (祭政一致) is a Japanese term meaning "unity of worship and government".^[1] Under a saisei itchi system, the political leader is also the religious leader.

In Japan, unity of religion and rule can be traced back to the theocratic Yamato Kingship and Ryukyu Kingdom of ancient times where the proclamations of spiritual mediums had political authority.^[2] Shinto is an animistic religion, and saisei itchi is one feature of the religion.^[3] However, Japanese theologian Keiichi Yanagawa argued a ritual government is different from a theocracy as a theocracy is a government managed directly by a member of that religion's clergy.

History

The term saisei itchi first appeared in late Mito scholarship in reference to the ancient system of governance in Japan which was one with ritual. It was later taken up by the government of the Meiji Restoration as a slogan and policy as they aimed to reunite ritual and government.^[4]

On March 13, 1868, the government of the Meiji Restoration announced the restoration of the emperor and the reestablishment of the Department of Divinities in a Dajō-kan Futatsu (太政官布達; Dajōkan Notice).^[5] On April 25, 1869, Emperor Meiji personally performed priestly functions in the Ceremonial Hall of the palace, demonstrating this principle of united government and ritual.^[6] The term saisei itchi also appears in the Taikyo Proclamation issued on January 3, 1870.^[7] Part of the saisei itchi policy of the Meiji government included the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, a process which some took to an extreme, resulting in the destruction of many Buddhist artworks and artifacts.^[8]

While the Meiji government's policy had been one of saisei itchi from the beginning, this conflicted with the Meiji Constitution as it provided the people with the freedom of religion. However, the definition of religion in the constitution was unclear, allowing for the government to take the stance that the rites of State Shinto were not religious in nature, and therefore separate legally and administratively from other religions.^[9]

This policy was officially dissolved during the American occupation of Japan post-World War II with the issuance of the Religious Corporations Order followed by the Religious Corporations Act.^[10]

See also

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