Botsujiga and the Loss of Japan’s Collective Strength
Ego Dissolution in Japan From Historical Strength to Modern Decline
In this article, I will examine how the Japanese, as an ethnic group, have become unable to exercise what was once their inherent cultural strength—and how this has led to a significant decline in recent years.
Speaking broadly and setting aside finer details, the defining characteristic of the Japanese people is what I refer to as “没自我 (*).” Here, please note that I am talking about the Japanese as an ethnic group, rather than individual Japanese persons.
*没自我 (botsujiga):
This Japanese concept of “botsujiga” is extremely difficult to translate into English. In this article, I have intentionally chosen to use the Buddhist term “ego dissolution” to convey its positive connotation. However, for many Western readers, it may also be perceived as something closer to “self-effacement” or “self-negation,” or even as a form of “collectivism.” Please keep in mind this inherent ambiguity as you read on—understanding this nuance will help deepen your comprehension of the concept.
Now, what does ego dissolution mean in the context of an ethnic identity? Essentially, it is the act of forgetting and relinquishing one’s sense of self, dedicating it instead to “ある偉大なもの (**)” in a moment of deep awe or inspiration.
** ある偉大なもの(aru idaina mono):
The Japanese phrase “aru idaina mono”—rendered here as “a revered entity”—is also notoriously difficult to translate. A more familiar concept for Western readers might be “a higher ideal,” “a sacred purpose,” or “a transcendent cause,” though none of these terms perfectly captures its essence. I will explore this nuance further in separate articles.
It is crucial to recognize that this trait lies at the core of Japanese ethnic character. In other words, the Japanese tend to discover a sense of ikigai (生き甲斐)—a concept recently introduced in the West—by longing for or revering something “revered entity.“
As a result, on an ethnic level, the Japanese naturally assume a sacrificial or devotional attitude toward this “revered entity.” More precisely, it is deeply ritualistic in nature.
Throughout Japanese history, whenever such a “revered entity” has been discovered or presented, the Japanese have demonstrated their greatest strengths as an ethnic group—swiftly creating and realizing an entirely new world.
While this “revered entity” may seem abstract, in practice it can be just about anything. Looking at recent history, we see a progression from prewar Emperor worship, to the postwar embrace of democracy, to the worship of money that began in the 1950s.
A key point to note is that Emperor worship was not instigated by the Emperor himself. In prewar Japan, most citizens never even saw the Emperor in person. Nor was it introduced by any single charismatic leader.
While individuals with nationalist tendencies did play a role in shaping it, the process took considerable time—something I have touched on in recent articles.
Similarly, the reverence for democracy that began immediately after Japan’s defeat in World War II can be traced to the moment following the Emperor’s acknowledgment of surrender in the “Gyokuon Broadcast” of August 15, 1945.
In the case of money worship, after several years of postwar hardship, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 suddenly shifted Japan’s fortunes. The nation overcame its immediate post-defeat struggles and enjoyed a rapid rise in living standards. At the time, the national slogan was “Catch up and surpass America.”
Under this rallying cry, the Japanese united ethnically, underwent ego dissolution, and surged forward to pursue a single, shared objective.
From these few examples, it is apparent that the expression of Japanese ethnic traits is not sparked from within, but rather by an external stimulus. In such cases, worship of an individual rarely occurs; instead, people become almost possessed by a particular idea or slogan.
In other words, once a single, collective objective has been set—regardless of who set it—the Japanese devote themselves to it in a state of ego dissolution.
Looking at the situation today, it seems Japan’s current steep decline may stem from just one core issue: the absence of a new “revered entity.”
Nevertheless, if by chance the Japanese were to discover such an entity tomorrow, their transformation could be swift and dramatic.