目次
- Chapter 5: Modern Japan and the Gods — The Return of Myth
- 🔗Japanese Mythology Series
- 🔗Japanese Version
Chapter 5: Modern Japan and the Gods — The Return of Myth
Viewing Modern Japan Through the Eyes of the Gods
Earthquakes, typhoons, and extreme weather remind us of the vast movements of nature that human power cannot fully control.
Ancient people perceived such natural phenomena as “the voices of the gods.” Thunder was the anger of the heavens, rain a blessing of abundance, and wind a force of purification. Every change in nature carried meaning, connected to the will of the divine.
Perhaps we, too, have reached a time to remember the feelings of awe and gratitude that we nearly forgot in exchange for convenience.
The Background of Shrine Visits and the Spiritual Boom
In recent years, shrine visits and collecting goshuin (temple and shrine stamps) have regained popularity, especially among younger generations.
Words such as “purification,” “manifestation,” and “divine connection” have blended into everyday life, as many people search for emotional and spiritual grounding.
This is more than a passing trend. It may be a sign that, in an age of uncertainty, people are once again listening to unseen forces.
In the age of myth, people lived in reverence for nature, sensing the presence of the gods within seasonal cycles and the flow of life itself. Shrines stood at the center of this faith — sacred spaces connecting gods and humans.
Today’s revival of shrine visits may reflect a subconscious “memory of the soul” returning to its origin.
Do the Gods Still Watch Over Japan Today?
The light of Amaterasu symbolizes hope and renewal.
The fierce power of Susanoo represents courage and passion.
The compassion of Okuninushi embodies connection and harmonious coexistence.
The gods are not distant beings dwelling only in the heavens. They live within each of us as unseen forces, quietly watching over our lives.
In times of disaster and hardship, the divinity hidden within people awakens, restoring light. This, too, is part of the eternal cycle of myth repeated since ancient times.
“When Humans Forget the Gods, Myths Return” — A Message for the Modern Age
Modern society has developed under science and rationalism, yet in the process, we may have begun to lose spiritual richness.
Still, when we see words of gratitude shared on social media or people standing in prayer at shrines, we sense something deeper — perhaps the return of myth itself.
When humanity forgets the gods and loses its connection with nature, mythology breathes again. It is as if ancient stories are whispering to us: “Remember harmony once more.”
Toward an Era Where the Voices of the Gods Are Heard
Myth is not a distant fantasy of the past.
It is a living story that transcends time, reviving again and again, changing form while continuing to resonate within our hearts.
In our pursuit of convenience and efficiency, we often forget our relationship with nature and with one another. Yet the gaze of the gods remains unchanged, watching over this land.
If each of us holds a small sense of gratitude and restores moments of prayer to our daily lives, that may well mark the beginning of a new mythology for the modern age.
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