1. Introduction
Funerals are a way for people to honor the life of a loved one who has passed away. In Japan, funerals are an important part of the culture and have been practiced for centuries. It is important to understand what Japanese believe in funeral so that we can better appreciate the importance of this ritual in their culture. In this article, we will explore the history of funeral practices in Japan, beliefs surrounding death and funerals in Japan, traditional Japanese funeral customs, Buddhist and Shinto influences on Japanese funerals, and contemporary Japanese funeral customs.
2. History of Funeral Practices in Japan
Funeral practices in Japan have evolved over time and have been influenced by various religions including Buddhism and Shintoism. According to historians, the first recorded funerals took place during the Kofun period (250-538 CE). During this period, it was common for people to practice cremation as well as burial rituals. As Buddhism began to spread throughout Japan during the Asuka period (538-710 CE), funeral practices began to incorporate Buddhist elements such as chanting sutras and offering food to deceased ancestors.
3. Beliefs Surrounding Death and Funerals in Japan
In Japan, death is seen as a transition from one state of being to another rather than an end or finality. This belief is rooted in both Buddhist and Shinto teachings which emphasize reincarnation or rebirth after death. It is believed that when someone dies they enter a transitional state between life and death until their soul can be reborn again into another form or body. Funerals are seen as an opportunity for family members to send off their loved ones with prayers for them on their journey into death’s realm and rebirth into another life form.
4. Traditional Japanese Funeral Customs
Traditional Japanese funerals involve a number of rituals that are meant to honor the deceased and help them transition into the afterlife peacefully. These rituals include dressing up the body with special clothing known as kimono or haori, placing offerings such as food or incense around the body, burning paper money or other objects associated with wealth, performing purification ceremonies using salt water or incense sticks, chanting sutras at temples or shrines dedicated to deceased ancestors, visiting gravesites for ancestor worship ceremonies known as harae matsuri,and scattering ashes at sea or burying them at a designated cemetery site.
5. Buddhist Influence on Japanese Funerals
Buddhist beliefs have had a significant influence on traditional Japanese funerary customs over time.One example of this influence is that many traditional Japanese funerals involve chanting sutras from Buddhist scriptures at temples dedicated to deceased ancestors.Additionally,it is common for families of the deceased person to make offerings such as food,incense,flowers,candles,paper money,etc.at these temples.This practice is meant to ensure that ancestors receive proper care after passing away so that they may rest peacefully in their afterlife.Additionally,many families also choose to hold memorial services at these temples where family members can pay respects to their loved ones who have passed away.
6. Shinto Influence on Japanese Funerals
Shinto beliefs also play an important role in traditional Japanese funerary customs.For example,it is common practice for families of those who have passed away to perform purification ceremonies using salt water or incense sticks prior to conducting any other funeral rites.This ritual helps cleanse any impurities from those attending the funeral so that they may honor their loved one without distraction from negative energies.Additionally,many families choose to scatter ashes at sea following cremation instead of burying them at designated cemeteries due to Shinto beliefs about purity associated with bodies of water.
7 Contemporary Japanese Funeral Customs
In modern times,many aspects of traditional Japanese funeral customs remain unchanged while some new practices have emerged due largely in part due cost considerations.For example,while it is still common practice for families of those who have passed away tooffer food offerings at temples dedicatedto deceased ancestors,many now opt outof holding memorial services due largelyin part due cost considerations.Additionally,families may choose notto dress up corpses with kimonoor haori but rather opt outfor simpler clothing options suchas yukata instead due largelyin part due cost considerationsas well as preference regardingthe appearanceof corpses duringfunerals.
8 Conclusion
In conclusion,understanding whatJapanese believein funeralis essentialfor appreciatingthe importanceof this ritualin their cultureand its evolutionover time due largelyin partdue religiousinfluencesfrom Buddhismand Shintoismas well ascost considerationsand preferencesregardingthe appearanceof corpsesduringfuneralsin modern times..
9 Sources
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Kato Hidetoshi et al., “The History Of Burial Mounds And The Development Of Ancient Burial Rites In Japan,” Journal Of Archaeological Science: Reports 24 (2018): 722-729; Charles R Tokoyama,”The Meaning Behind TraditionalJapanese Funeral Customs,”Japan Insiders (2020); “Shinto Beliefs About Death & Mourning,” The International Shinto Foundation(2020); “A Guide To TraditionalJapanese Funeral Customs,”Saienji Temple (2020).
What are Japanese beliefs about death?
The concept of dying with dignity in Japanese culture tends to enhance relationships with important people (especially family members) and should remain after death unlike free decision-making in Western culture.
What are Japanese death and dying traditions?
In Japan symbolic rituals may include putting a knife to the body or sprinkling salt to ward off evil spirits. Other traditional rituals include washing the body and dressing the person in white kimono-style clothing. But this tradition is not generally preserved in North America.
How do Japanese pay respect to the dead?
When the Japanese get up the priest kneels in front of the coffin and reads scriptures and the immediate family members pay their respects to the deceased one by one. The exact form of this ritual varies by denomination and country.
Which religion is most associated with death and funerals in Japan?
Many funerals in Japan are Buddhist.
What is the Japanese custom when someone dies?
Keechufuda. Keichu-fuda is a day-long ritual of mourning. His family and friends are known as Suya which means Vigil itself meaning overnight stay. A wake is held as soon as possible after death.
How long do Japanese mourn?
The original period of mourning was forty-nine days during which the remains of the deceased were deposited at home and only at the end of forty-nine days were the remains actually placed on the stone.
