Today’s blog takes us to Japan, it will briefly touch the fascinating topic of Shintoism, Japan’s most important religion.

Shintoism dates back to the 6th century, and almost 120 million people believe in it. It can be translated as “The Way of the Gods” and is genuinely Japanese, it was even Japan’s official state religion, until 1945. So, what does it have to do with genealogy? Shintoism means worshipping one’s ancestors, whose spirits are believed to remain around the living after death. What might seem spooky to us is part of daily life for Shintoists, as the living have to pay their respect to the dead and honor them – to prevent the ancestors from interfering with the fate and future of the living.

Genealogy is thus very important for Shintoists, as they have to know about even distant, century-old ancestors in order to be able to honor them. This is not only important for the prosperity of the immediate family, but also for that of the community.

When speaking of ancestors, one has to bear in mind that Shintoists do not really regard them as dead, but as spirits among the living, and their contentment has to be ensured so that they will guard the homes of the living. This system of beliefs does not only concern the ancestors, but also one’s own parents. Paying respect to them, being grateful and obedient is also very important; this is called “filial piety”.