This shrine was built in the Meiji period and honors Japanese soldiers who died in wars from the Meiji period on. Currently, its Symbolic Registry of Divinities lists the names of over 2,455,000 enshrined men and women. These people include many who sacrificed themselves in conflicts including the Boshin War, the Seinan War, the Saga Uprising, the Sino-Japanese War, World War I, and World War II.
Aside from soldiers, other people such as those involved in relief operations on battlefields, and those students who worked in factories for the war effort, are also enshrined here. Even ordinary Japanese citizens, including those not native to Japan, were also included.
It is recorded that every year some five million people visit the shrine to pay their respects, and twice a year - in autumn and spring - major rituals take place involving offerings from the Emperor. Everyday rituals are held to offer meals and words of appreciation to the dead. This stems from the Japanese belief that in order to properly respect the dead they must be treated the same as they were when alive.
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| "Illustration of Grand Festival at Yasukuni Shrine" by Shinohara Kiyooki, 1985 [2000_513] Sharf Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston |
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| Yushukan |
It is important to realize that this shrine is actually slightly controversial because some enshrined here are war criminals and because the museum at the shrine, Yushukan, blatantly celebrates the questionable ideology that lead to many very young pilots acting as kamikaze.
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| August 15th 2010, Yasukuni Shrine |
The effects of this controversy can be seen very evidently on August 15th demonstrations, an event held on the anniversary of Japan's surrender at the end of World War II. Several thousands of Japanese visit the shrine to pray, but the grounds are surrounded by riot police and the mix of conflicting views between people holding extreme political views results in protests and confrontations, though it is usually nothing extremely violent. Due to this controversy it has long be questioned whether Japanese politicians should pray at the shrine, and in the 2010, it was the first time in 25 years that no member of the cabinet attended the event.
This shrine has strong ties to the Emperor and was one of the principal State Shinto shrines. This shrine demonstrates the imperialism and militarism that was brought about in the Meiji Restoration, as well as the values and beliefs surrounding war in this period. You can visit the shrine's official website here for more information on planning your visit, including information on festival (Matsuri Rituals) dates.
For Social Studies Teachers the Yasukuni Shrine relates to the following Grade 8 Social Studies Curriculum Outcomes:
" 8.1.6 analyze the effects that rapid adaptation had on traditionally isolated Japan during the
Meiji period by exploring and reflecting upon the following
questions and issues:
• How did the changes
resulting from adaptation affect Japan economically, politically and
socially during the Meiji period?
• What challenges
emerged for the Japanese in maintaining traditional cultural aspects of their
society while undergoing rapid change?"( From the Grade 8 Social Studies Program of Studies)
Websites: http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/about/index.html, http://www.yasukuni.or.jp/english/about/deities.html, http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1609931,00.html, http://mit.out.ac.tz/OCWExternal/Akamai/21f/21f.027j/throwing_off_asia/toa_core_01.html, http://travel67.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/august-15th-yasakuni-shrine-tokyo/
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Comment on what you could learn related to what you have studied about Edo and Meiji Japan.
Comment on what you could learn related to what you have studied about Edo and Meiji Japan.
