Religion in Japan

Events

538 - The religion of Buddhism comes to Japan

538

552 - Traditional date for the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from Korea.

552 CE

593 - Prince Shotoku comes into power

593

He promotes Buddhism and brings peace to Japan

712 - In Kojiki, first mentioned of Confucianism

712

712 - The Kojiki is written

712

a collection of oral myths forming the basis of the Shinto religion

1549 - Christianity is introduced by Francis Xavier

1549

1603 - Edo Bakufu is established.

1603

Hayashi Razan’s Neo-Confucianism gain influence among ruler class

1614 - Christianity is banned in Japan and Christian priests are forced to leave

1614

1654 - Chinese Zen missionary Ingen

1654

Arrives in Nagasaki and founds the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism.

1854 - Commodore Matthew Perry

1854

Japan’s isolationism ends, forced to open up borders.

1868 - Facing the force by America, Meiji government accepts series of treaties

1868

including “freedom of religion"

1868 - Meiji Government /Restoration of Imperial power

1868

1870 - Meiji Government to promote Nationalism Ideology

1870

Shinto become the national religion. With this, Sinto and emperor’s family lineage becomes the fact, not religion. Buddhism and Christianity are religion. Confucianism becomes philosophy.

1885 - Ito Hirobumi becomes the first prime minister

1885

1890 - Confucianism to be used to promote Imperial/ Military ideology

1890

1930~40 - Inoue Tetsujiro develops Kokumin dotoku, “national ethics”

1930 - 1940

1945 - WWII Japan defeated

1945

1995 - Aum Shinrikyo Subway Sarin incident

1995