Yasukuni Shrine
A Shinto shrine in Tokyo established in 1869 to honor those who died serving the Emperor, now a site of controversy.
Last updated
via Wikipedia: Zhang Zhehan · see source
Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo. It was established in 1869, in the wake of the Boshin War, to honor the souls of those who died fighting for the Emperor. The shrine commemorates those who died in service of Japan, from the Boshin War of 1868–1869, to the two Sino-Japanese Wars, 1894–1895 and 1937–1945 respectively. The shrine's purpose has been expanded to include those who died in wars involving Japan spanning the Meiji and Taishō periods and the earlier part of the Shōwa period.
Lore & Background
The site for the Yasukuni Shrine, originally named Tōkyō Shōkonsha, was chosen by order of the Meiji Emperor. The shrine was established in 1869. Following the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, the Emperor had 6,959 souls of war dead enshrined at Tōkyō Shōkonsha. In 1879, the shrine was renamed Yasukuni Jinja.
The name Yasukuni, quoted from the Chinese text Zuo Zhuan, means 'Pacifying the Nation' and was chosen by the Meiji Emperor. Among the enshrined are Yoshida Shōin, Sakamoto Ryōma, Takasugi Shinsaku, Nakaoka Shintarō, Takechi Hanpeita, Sanai Hashimoto, and Ōmura Masujirō, who contributed to the Meiji Restoration. The shrine does not enshrine the war dead of shogunate retainers. Saigō Takamori, Eto Shinpei, and Maebara Issei were not enshrined because they revolted against the Meiji government.
Reader's Guide
The shrine lists the names, origins, birthdates and places of death of 2,466,532 people. Among those are 1,068 convicted war criminals from the Pacific War, fourteen of whom were convicted with Class A crimes at the Tokyo Trial. A memorial at the honden building commemorates anyone who died on behalf of Japan, including Koreans and Taiwanese who served Japan. The Chinreisha building is a shrine built to inter the souls of all people who died during World War II, regardless of nationality.
The enshrinement of war criminals and the shrine's historical association with State Shinto has made it highly controversial. Emperor Hirohito visited eight times between the end of the war and 1975, then boycotted it due to displeasure over enshrined war criminals. His successors Akihito and Naruhito have never visited. The most recent Japanese Prime Minister to visit while in office was Shinzo Abe in 2013.
Did You Know?
- Yasukuni Shrine has been privately funded and operated since 1946, when it became an individual religious corporation.
- No Japanese emperor has visited the shrine since the enshrinement of convicted war criminals in 1978.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yasukuni Shrine?
Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine situated in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo, Japan. It was founded by the Meiji government in June 1869 to honor individuals who lost their lives in service to the nation.
What is Yasukuni Shrine's purpose and role?
The shrine serves as a memorial for Japan's war dead, spanning from the Boshin War of 1868–1869 all the way through the close of World War II. It enshrines those who died during the Meiji, Taishō, and early Shōwa eras.
Who founded Yasukuni Shrine?
The Meiji government established the shrine in 1869 as an official state initiative to recognize those who gave their lives for Japan. It has remained a Shinto site in Tokyo's Chiyoda district ever since.
Why is Yasukuni Shrine so controversial in East Asia?
The controversy stems largely from the enshrinement of convicted war criminals alongside other war dead, which neighboring countries view as a failure to reckon with wartime aggression. Its historical ties to State Shinto further compound diplomatic tensions in the region.
Where exactly is Yasukuni Shrine located?
Yasukuni Shrine sits in the Chiyoda ward of central Tokyo, Japan. It occupies a prominent position in the capital and has been a focal point for both domestic commemoration and international diplomatic debate.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Yasukuni Shrine (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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