Naród, lojalność i śmierć. Polityczne i religijne znaczenie Yasukuni jinja w Japonii
Nation, loyalty and death. Political and religious meaning of Yasukini jinja in Japan

Summary/Abstract: Nation, loyalty and death. Political and religious meaning of Yasukini jinja in JapanThis paper is an attempt of a political and religious interpretation of one of the most known shinto shrine in contemporary Japan. For clarity of analysis the essay is divided into two parts. The first is connected with the problem of political status of Yasukuni jinja in modern Japan. The significance of this part is analysis of process of creating a national identity in Japan based on political myth, kokutai (national character) idea and imperial heros as well. The second part includes the analysis of the significance of Yasukuni to create the attitude of obedience of Japanese subjects for national matters. Therefore, the shrine was made a symbol of loyalty to the emperor (and indirectly the government of the Empire of Japan), understood as the highest manifestation of caring for the welfare of the nation.

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