Der Eine und Einzige Wege der Götter. Yoshida Kanetomo und die Erfindung des Shinto

This book is a contribution to one fundamental question in the research of Japanese Shinto: when did there emerge a self-image of Shinto as a religion? When and in which way did Shinto priests perceive of themselves as representatives of a distinct, independent, and comprehensive religious system? As Japanese studies have pointed out recently, an independent Shinto theology was created not earlier than in the Japanese Middle Ages (12th- I 6th century). In this process the courtly priest Yoshida Kanetomo (1435-1511) performed a significant role. For the first time in Shinto history he expounded a Shinto teaching that explicitly regards itself as a religious system distinct from Buddhism. Kami-centred believes thus became a "way" consisting of a peculiar world view, moral values, and ritual behaviour. This so-called One-and-Only (Yuiitsu) Shinto, or Yoshida Shinto, as it is commonly designated today, was allegedly of great antiquity. It was even regarded as the basis of other teachings like Confucianism or Buddhism. Thus, Yoshida Shinto explained the overwhelming similarities it shared with these teachings. By its own terms Yoshida Shinto therefore appears independent and fundamental, in its contents, however, it is strongly influenced by Chinese and Buddhist thought. Yet it was a decisive step in the development of the now common notion that regards Shinto and Buddhism as two different religious systems. This book presents a detailed analysis of Yoshida Shinto`s contents and a historiographical account of its founder and his socio-political background. Scrupulously annotated translations of three Yoshida texts are added as supplementary evidence for the author`s theses and as a benefit for further research.