Part 28: Kokutai no Hongi – Harmony

Banner for Part 29 Kokutai no Hongi Harmony

This is part 28 of my series on Shinto as a civil religion, you can find the rest of the series here.

Kokutai no Hongi emphasizes the historical presence of harmony in Japanese society, portraying it as the foundation of the nation’s development and achievements. According to the text, this harmony is absent in countries influenced by individualism, which pits people against one another. In contrast, Japan’s people have come together as a unified entity, where individual differences contribute to a greater collective strength. The text states:

“Harmony as in our nation is a great harmony of individuals who, by giving play to their individual differences and through difficulties, toil, and labor, converge as one. Because of individual differences and difficulties, this harmony becomes all the greater and its substance rich. Again, in this way individualities are developed; special traits become beautiful; and at the same time they even enhance the development and well-being of the whole.”

This section critiques Western individualism, identifying it as the root of Japan’s societal issues. It encourages the population to shift their focus from personal struggles to collective contributions to the nation. Given the previously established link between the nation and the divine emperor, this can be interpreted as an attempt by the government to indoctrinate the populace into the civil religion, prioritizing national unity and loyalty over individual concerns.

Kokutai no Hongi – The Martial Spirit

The text frames Japan’s military spirit as an extension of its societal harmony. It argues that Japan’s military endeavors are not meant for destruction or domination but for spreading harmony and achieving peace. The text states:

“Here lies the martial spirit of our nation. War, in this sense, is not by any means intended for the destruction, overpowering, or subjugation of others; and it should be for bringing about great harmony, that is, peace, doing the work of creation by following the Way.”

This description reinterprets Japan’s military actions as a mission of peace and creation, rather than conquest. It serves as a justification for Japan’s wars, presenting them as efforts to extend Japan’s harmonious order to the broader world. This framing reflects an attempt to align the population with the state’s military goals by embedding them within the civil religious narrative of harmony and divine purpose.

Kokutai no Hongi – Our Mission

Kokutai no Hongi concludes with a mission statement, asserting Japan’s role in assimilating Western ideas into its culture while maintaining its national identity. The text envisions this process as beneficial not only for Japan but for the world:

“Our present mission as a people is to construct a new Japanese culture by adopting and sublimating Western cultures with our national polity as the basis and to contribute spontaneously to the advancement of world culture. Our nation early saw the introduction of Chinese and Indian cultures and even succeeded in evolving original creations and developments. This was made possible, indeed, by the profound and boundless nature of our national polity, so that the mission of the people to is bequeathed is truly great in its historical significance.”

This statement can be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it may suggest that Japan should adapt Western ideas to fit its own culture while contributing to global progress. On the other hand, given the text’s otherwise critical stance on Western individualism, it could also imply that Japan is destined to lead the world by assimilating and improving upon foreign cultures, aligning with the notion of Japan’s divine destiny to become the world’s leader.

Significance for Civil Religion

The themes of harmony, martial spirit, and mission in Kokutai no Hongi illustrate its role as a civil religious text. It connects the concepts of unity, military action, and cultural assimilation to Japan’s divine purpose and the emperor’s will. The emphasis on harmony positions Japan as a model society, contrasting its collective unity with the perceived chaos of Western individualism. The military spirit is portrayed as a moral endeavor, further justifying Japan’s expansionist policies as aligned with a divine mission. Finally, the mission statement elevates Japan’s role as a cultural and spiritual leader, reinforcing the idea of its unique destiny.

Through these narratives, the text serves as a tool for indoctrination, aligning the people’s sense of purpose with the goals of the state and the emperor. By framing Japan’s societal structure, military actions, and cultural mission as sacred, Kokutai no Hongi strengthens the civil religion’s grip on the population, ensuring loyalty and unity in the face of domestic and international challenges.

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