Der Eine und Einzige Weg der Götter

Yoshida Shinto, the subject of this study, was founded in the 15th century by Yoshida Kanetomo (1435 – 1511) and was particularly influential above all in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is regarded as the first religious movement that referred to itself as “Shinto” (the Way of the Gods), and developed a theology that explicitly distanced itself from Buddhism. Consequently, it called itself the “One and Only Way of the Gods” (Yuiitsu Shinto). This study examines the innovations that are actually involved and the historical and intellectual context in which they can be explained. The general question is also addressed of the extent to which there was a first awareness of Shinto as an independent form of religion in Yoshida Shinto. It is broadly known amongst experts that Yoshida Shinto was decisively influenced both by Buddhism and by Taoism. In the opinion of the author, however, there is a general underestimation of the extent to which Yoshida Kanetomo successfully integrated these influences together with indigenous (“Shintoist”) elements from the world of ritual and mythology to create a comprehensive religious system. The study constitutes the first comprehensive monograph on Yoshida Shinto in a western language, and also contains translations of the three Yoshida writings. It is a contribution to the current discussion about the term “Shinto” which is at present being re-examined both in Japan and the west.