Shinto, Japan’s native faith, speaks to the soul of its people. But it’s not without its share of controversy. From lively matsuri celebrations to unfortunate remarks, Shinto makes headlines. And at the center of it all stands the Association of Shinto Shrines, a powerhouse in the Shinto world. However, with shrines nationwide turning their backs, its once unshakable power is not as mighty as it once was.

It all starts with a land scandal

The Association of Shinto Shrines, overseeing nearly 95% of shrines nationwide, is in turmoil. Its esteemed members are defecting, with the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine leading the revolt by withdrawing last March.

Nestled in the heart of Kamakura City, this shrine holds a special place as one of Japan’s “Three Great Hachimangu Shrines.” Its fame has long bolstered the Association, both financially and in reputation. Yet, all of this changed when the shrine decided to sever ties with the central association last month.

Why? It all points to the Association’s recent questionable conduct and deep-rooted corruption.

At the heart of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine’s departure lies frustration with the Association’s cover-up regarding the “illegal land deal” involving its chief executive, Takaka Takanobu. Back in 2015, Takanobu and his ally, Uchida Fumihiro, chairman of the Shinto Political Federation, sold a Kawasaki City staff dormitory at a suspiciously low price to a contractor with ties to the Association.

This shady transaction violated a rule that assets should be sold through competitive bidding. What’s worse, it revealed a breach of trust by some of the Association’s most prominent figures, suspected of colluding with none other than the yakuza. Notably, the contractor quickly flipped the property for a hefty profit.

Even after a 2021 trial confirmed suspicions, the key figures suffered no consequences. They remain in power to this day. Frustrated by this apparent lack of accountability and the Association’s autocratic tendencies, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine opted to step away. And it’s not the first time such a rift has occurred.

Shinto’s helm

The current system mirrors the revolutionary changes of the Meiji era, a time that reshaped Japan in many ways. Shinto, in particular, felt the impact. During this time, shrines were designated as national places of worship, elevating Shinto above all other religions. At the helm was the National Government’s institution, the Jingūkan (Shrine Bureau), which treated priests as civil servants paid by the state.

This all changed after World War II. The separation of state and religion, particularly in Shintoism, heralded a new era. The Jingūkan gave way to the Association of Shinto Shrines, a private religious corporation boasting nearly 80,000 member shrines nationwide. Leading this charge is the esteemed Ise Grand Shrine, standing at the forefront among all others. Nestled near Tokyo’s iconic Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, the Association coordinates shrine activities nationwide, certifies shrine priests, and manages their appointments.

Membership in the Association isn’t mandatory, and as we’ve seen, it can be withdrawn, posing several hurdles for the organization. After the war, government support dried up, prompting the Association to find new sources of income. One such stream is tax collection from member shrines, along with the sale of the “Shingu Oasa” sacred hemp cloth to devotees. This lucrative system rakes in around 1 billion yen annually, with a significant portion flowing straight into the Association’s funds.

A breaking point

In recent years, the Association has faced unprecedented upheaval. While departures were rare throughout the 20th century, the new millennium marked a shift towards independence. Several renowned shrines followed suit: Meiji Shrine in Tokyo (left in 2004, returned in 2010), Keta Shrine in the Noto Peninsula (left in 2010), Tashioki Shrine in Kyoto (left in 2013), Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine in Tokyo (left in 2017), Takekunomiya Shrine in Kyoto (left in 2019), and Kotohira-gu Shrine in Tokyo (left in 2020).

Prominent shrines aren’t hesitant to assert their independence when necessary. According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, the total 2019 membership stood at 78,663, a slight dip from 79,041 in 2009. While a 0.5% decrease might not seem substantial, it would carry more weight if smaller shrines had the same freedom to exit. In reality, smaller shrines often have to endure their grievances and remain reliant on the network and perks offered by association membership

Regardless of whether they stay or go, discontent is brewing among shrines nationwide. While specific grievances may differ, they all seem to circle back to the Association’s increasingly dubious activities. Scandals, spanning from corruption to discriminatory practices, persist unchecked.

Meanwhile, a widespread indifference prevails towards the financial struggles plaguing shrines across the country. In the face of a shrinking population, especially in rural areas, shrines and temples are grappling with dwindling donations, inching perilously close to financial ruin.

Yet, the Association seems stuck in its “bring us the offering money” attitude, failing to adapt or find solutions. This authoritarian stance has triggered a wave of resentment.

Gender, sexual discrimination scandals speed decline

While religious institutions express increasing discontent with the Association’s arrogance, ordinary people are also reacting to the discriminatory actions of top figures. CEO Tanaka and his ally Uchida, both involved in the land flipping scandal, have been key players in a series of unfortunate events that have negatively impacted minorities and women.

One of the most notorious incidents occurred in 2017 at Tomioka Hachimangū Shrine: the murder of head priestess Nagako by her brother Shigenaga. Shigenaga, deeply troubled, resented his sister for what he saw as her usurping a role he believed should belong to a man. Shockingly, he wasn’t alone in this belief. The Association itself refused to recognize Nagako for years because she was a woman.

Even before these incidents, Tanaka’s leadership saw similar episodes where women were denied rightful succession to shrines. Take, for instance, the case at Usa Jingu in Oita Prefecture, where the Association rejected a priestess and instead dispatched a male priest from its ranks to take over. But Tanaka’s male-centric views didn’t stop there. He was a vocal advocate for male imperial succession, opposing any potential ascension by Princess Masako. It’s quite ironic, considering Shinto’s main deity is a female one — the goddess of the Sun.

But it doesn’t end there. LGBTQ discrimination is also in the mix. In 2020, the Shinto Seiji Renmei’s parliamentary group ousted Secretary General Tomomi Inada due to her supportive statements on LGBTQ rights. Then, in 2022, they distributed pamphlets at a meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), claiming that “homosexuality is a mental disorder or addiction.”

Similarly, the Shinto Political Federation in Saitama echoed these sentiments by releasing a document in 2022 stating that LGBTQ is a mental illness. So much for religious tolerance and inclusivity.

Time for a change?

Amidst all this, one can’t help but wonder: how do figures with discriminatory views and a string of scandals still hold power? For many, Tanaka and Uchida owe their influence to ties with Shinzo Abe and his party. This enabled Tanaka to stretch the term for the head of the Shrine Association from “two terms, six years” to “five terms, fifteen years,” directly benefiting him and Uchida.

But times are changing. With Abe long gone and his LDP faction embroiled in scandals, the stage seems set for the Association’s leadership to embrace change and welcome new voices. The surging trend of shrines severing ties with the Association may be the catalyst for this transformation.

Sources

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