=Official Shinto=.--The official cult of the present day is substantially the "Pure Shinto" of Motoöri and Hirata. But it has little vitality. A rudimentary religion of this kind is quite inadequate for the spiritual sustenance of a nation which in these latter days has raised itself to so high a pitch of enlightenment and civilization. No doubt some religious enthusiasm is excited by the great festivals of Ise, Idzumo, and a few other shrines, and by the annual pilgrimages--which, however, have other _raisons d'être_. The reverence paid to the Mikado is not devoid of a religious quality which has its source in Shinto. But the main stream of Japanese piety has cut out for itself new channels. It has turned to Buddhism, which, at the time of the Restoration in a languishing state, is now showing signs of renewed life and activity. Another and still more formidable rival has appeared, to whose progress, daily increasing in momentum, what limit shall be prescribed? As a national religion, Shinto is almost extinct. But it will long continue to survive in folk-lore and custom, and in that lively sensibility to the divine in its simpler and more material aspects which characterizes the people of Japan. THE END. FOOTNOTES: [331] For an account of Japanese Buddhism, consult Murray's 'Japan,' or the more comprehensive description in Griffis's 'Religions of Japan.' [332] See above, p. 175. [333] The novelist Bakin, who cannot be charged with priestcraft, says: "Shinto reverences the way of the Sun; the Chinese philosophers honour Heaven; the teaching of Shaka fails not to make the Sun a deity. Among differences of doctrine the fundamental principle is the same." [334] In the old Shinto, Ne no kuni, or Hades, is not a place of punishment for the wicked. Here it stands for the Jigoku, or Hell, of the Buddhists. [335] That is, Nature--a Chinese idea. [336] This is Chinese. [337] A Buddhist designation. [338] And therefore unclean. [339] See above, p. 179. [340] As Sugahara himself was. [341] See above, p. 155. [342] See above, p. 177. [343] Alluding to the inner and outer shrines of Ise. [344] For a full account of the Revival of Pure Shinto, see Sir E. Satow's papers contributed to the _T. A. S. J._ in 1875. Our knowledge of Shinto dates from this time. [345] An interesting account of this sect is given in a paper by Dr. Greene in the _T. A. S. J._, December, 1895. [346] See papers by Dr. Greene and Rev. A. Lloyd in the _T. A. S. J._, 1901. INDEX. _N.B.--Where there are several references the most important is placed first._ A