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Japan Confucianism
Although not practiced as a religion, Confucianism from
China
has deeply influenced Japanese thought. In essence,
Confucianism is
the practice of proper forms of conduct, especially in
social and
familial relationships. It is derived from compilations
attributed
to the fifth-century B.C. Chinese philosopher Kong Fuzi or
Kongzi
(Confucius; in Japanese, Koshi). Confucian government was
to be a
moral government, bureaucratic in form and benevolent
toward the
ruled. Confucianism also provided a hierarchical system,
in which
each person was to act according to his or her status to
create a
harmoniously functioning society and ensure loyalty to the
state.
The teachings of filial piety and humanity continue to
form the
foundation for much of social life and ideas about family
and
nation.
Neo-Confucianism, introduced to Japan in the twelfth
century,
is an interpretation of nature and society based on
metaphysical
principles and is influenced by Buddhist and Daoist ideas.
In
Japan, where it is known as Shushigaku (Shushi School,
after the
Chinese neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi--Shushi in Japanese),
it
brought the idea that family stability and social
responsibility
are human obligations. The school used various
metaphysical
concepts to explain the natural and social order.
Shushigaku, in
turn, influenced the kokutai (national polity)
theory, which
emphasized the special national characteristics of Japan.
Data as of January 1994
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