ABSTRACT
Most persons in Japan would probably answer Buddhism for the question what was the religion of the Japanese people. As a matter of fact, though Buddhism was introduced into Japan from Korea as far back, it is not and never has been the preponderating religion in Japan. When Buddhism was introduced into Japan the Buddhist priesthood seems to have made no difficulty about receiving the native gods into their Pantheon. At the same time this chapter quite admit that it has had a marked effect on the religious life of the people, and that it again has been influenced by the ancient Shinto belief of the Japanese people. It think that Kaemfer succinctly summed up the Shinto faith in reference to the Japanese people when he remarked, The more immediate end which they propose to themselves is a state of happiness in this world. In other words, if this assertion be correct, Shintoism preaches utilitarianism.
