"Publication of 'Shrine Tourism'!! Hidetoshi Tojo's Serial Column No. 17"

"Thanks to your support, my second book 'Shrine Tourism' was published by Fusosha on September 25th. This comes about a year and a half after my debut work 'Proof of the Japanese' (Gakken). If the previous book was a culmination of my 40 years of life, this time, it represents about four and a half years from the inception of my shrine-focused portal site 'Jinjajin' until now. While both explore our roots, this time, I directly focus on 'Shrines and Shinto,' discussing the charm and uniqueness of Japan.

Some may shy away thinking, 'Shrines and Shinto, isn't that a religion?' It's not that simple. For instance, if you ask someone what the teachings or scriptures of Shinto are, you might not get a clear answer. That's because Shinto fundamentally lacks the teachings required for a religion.

Supporting this notion, a significant attempt is being made in Europe next spring. A genuine shrine is being established in the Republic of San Marino, a purely Christian country. This is remarkable and stems from the idea that Shrines and Shinto are not a religion but a lifestyle.

While such recognition is progressing globally, there's still a lack of accurate understanding domestically. As mentioned earlier, the quest for the label 'religion' is part of the problem. However, even if we take the word 'religion,' it has an unexpected background. The term was introduced in the modern era post-Meiji Restoration. Originally, there was no such word. So, why did such expressions become prevalent domestically? It's because the word 'Religion' was imported. Yes, it was introduced with the presence of foreign religions. Therefore, understanding that Shrines and Shinto do not conform to these concepts can be roughly understood by considering this historical transition alone.

With no specific gods or teachings, the simplicity of Japanese Shinto is deeply connected to the unique spiritual culture of the Japanese people. In that sense, this book is by no means religious. It is an educational book to understand the origins of our culture and a guidebook to thoroughly enjoy the country we were born and raised in. That's what I believe. I hope young students especially get to know this world of unknown charm."