著者

中村 眞人

出版者

東京女子大学

雑誌

東京女子大学比較文化研究所紀要 (ISSN:05638186)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.67, pp.1-15, 2006

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This study aims to clarify the rationalism in Japanese popular thought that has promoted the modernization of the Japanese society. For this purpose, we will examine the case of the independent Shinto sect Kurozumikyo that developed between the late Tokugawa period and the Meiji period. Considered is the life of the founder Kurozumi and religious thought in relation to the social background of the time along with a description of the past and present of the Kurozumikyo religious community. Then we examine the class distribution of the believers and prove that this religious sect is supported mainly by the lower and middle class people. Finally, the faith practices of this religion is investigated and found a tendency of rationalization that gives it an ethical consistency, though some magical and conventional tendencies remain. These characteristics are common in some new religions and the secular morality that developed concurrently. The development of the modern Japanese society has been supported by such a rational life manner and value system as expressed in the thought of the lower and middle class people.