ーAnnouncement of Takahiro Mitsui’s Book, Spiritual Shintoー
★★Spiritual Shinto: The Intersection of Spirituality and Religion★★
Price: Kindle $9.99 (Free with Kindle Unlimited)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCS6LN23
It has been around seven months since I launched Shitsurae, and I’m deeply grateful to all my dedicated readers. Rather than discussing Japan solely with Japanese readers, my approach of speaking directly to an international audience has proven extremely challenging, and even now, I continue to explore new ways of communicating. Thanks to your support, I feel as though I’m gradually discovering the keys to effectively convey Japan’s essence.
Given my tendency to dive enthusiastically into a topic but quickly tire of it, I deliberately keep my Substack articles diverse and spontaneous, always writing about whatever fascinates me most each day. I believe this approach is essential for genuinely understanding Japan’s “cultural capital.” Rather than emphasizing the text itself, I invite readers to interpret the true nature of Japan through the subtle spaces between texts—the “ma” and “yohaku”—and to incorporate these insights into their individual lifestyles. Ultimately, Shitsurae aims to inspire readers to create their own unique ways of living.
However, due to this intentionally fluid style, Shitsurae has not been suited to systematically exploring a single subject in depth. Therefore, I’ve decided to actively publish books to fill that gap. The very first topic I’ve chosen for this significant step is “Shinto.”
I sincerely hope you enjoy this initial step into my extensive exploration of Shinto, drawn from seven years of traveling, observing, feeling, and engaging in dialogue across Japan, always guided by my distinct perspective.
＜Book Description＞
What exactly is Shinto?
When people hear the term “Shinto,” they often imagine primitive beliefs, shrines, myriad gods (Yaoyorozu no Kami), or unique rituals. However, this conventional approach falls short of capturing the essence of Shinto itself. Recognizing the limitations of traditional methods, the author undertook a seven-year, nationwide exploration, labeling it the “First Phase Investigation,” to uncover Shinto’s deeper reality. Feeling compelled to share the insights gained through this journey, the author presents this book.
Instead of immediately diving into Shinto’s spirituality or mystical nature, the book proposes a new approach, first meticulously examining the historical era when Shinto first acquired its distinct spirituality and religious character—from the mid-Edo period through the turbulent Meiji era. By establishing a foundation in this historical period, readers will gain the clarity needed to genuinely understand Shinto, ultimately illuminating a path toward grasping the ancient realities of Shinto practice.
The core focus of this book is the intersection between Kokugaku which began in the mid-Edo period, its ideological transformation in the late Edo period, and the rise of the most significant spiritual phenomenon—Japan’s New Religious Movements—which emerged from diverse lineages. It further explores how these movements formed a collusive relationship with State Shinto during the Meiji period, which saw the birth of modern Japan.
Moreover, as Japan increasingly moved toward militarism after the Meiji period, the narrative details how powerful military authorities interacted—sometimes conflictingly, sometimes assimilatively—with religious organizations rooted in the spiritual revolutions, explaining their survival into contemporary times.
In presenting this historical trajectory of Shinto, this work positions itself similarly to the pioneering efforts of Daisetsu Suzuki, who introduced Zen Buddhism’s true nature globally, leading Zen to become an internationally recognized lifestyle. Now, it declares, the time has come for the Japanese to similarly advocate and illuminate the true essence of Shinto to the world.
This book, intended as the first installment of a series, lays a foundation through this initial volume, “Spiritual Shinto,” paving the way toward uncovering the true face of State Shinto in future works.
The essential exploration into the heart of Shinto has just begun!