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The definition of Tenno in Japanese, as the “Symbolic existence,” which GHQ proposed, was much closer to the role of “Pope” in Catholic culture rather than “the Emperor.” In “Reminiscences,” the autobiography of Douglas MacArthur, he clearly mentioned that in the new Constitution of Japan he wanted Tenno to be defined as “holy” but not as “supreme and inviolable.” Thanks to GHQ, Tenno has returned to the original holy existence, who serves his ancestory deities.

Douglas MacArthur also wrote in the autobiography as follows;

The new Japanese constitution is really an amendment to the older Meiji one. I felt that by using this particular device, we could insure continuity, and continuity is important in Japan.

This reflects the intention of Douglas MacArthur to reform Japan. His intention was not ruling Japan, but freeing people from slavery condition which were caused by the Constitution of the Japanese Empire and definition of the Emperor.

Douglas MacArthur clearly pointed out that the general public in Japan was under “slavery condition” in his autobiography. He knew quite well about the situation and how this slavery system started in Japan. He knew, at the same time, that the slavery system was not the original Japanese political system. The decision to make the Emperor a “symbolic existence,” reflected the profound respect and trust of Douglas MacArthur toward Hirohito’s personal gentlemanship.

There was an interesting conversation between Teimei Kogo (the Empress Teimei), the mother of Showa Tenno Hirohito. After the disastrous war that Japan had gone through, the Emperor Showa, Hirohito, visited the Empress Teimei to apologize for his inability to stop the Military Regime from creating the disaster of the Pacific War. His visit was the sincere apology toward his mother for causing the disaster and the loss of Japanese people’s lives during the Pacific War. It would be difficult for Americans to understand his apology to the Empress Teimei but it is a part of Japanese culture and national character of Japanese people to apologize on such occasions as a part of manners.

The reply from Teimei Kogo was contrary to the Emperor’s expectation. The Empress Teimei, was known to be extremely intelligent and had detailed knowledge and understandings about Shinto and the role of Tenno throughout Japanese history.

In spite of the apology by Showa Tenno, after everything was settled down under GHQ measure, Teimei Kogo was quite satisfied with the decision by GHQ. She mentioned that the original role of Tenno, was revived thanks to the GHQ’s generous consideration and enormous amount of research. She made a remark, “This is a good thing.” His becoming the “Symbolic” existence was the best solution for Japanese culture, because he could be a step away from the political world.

In this book, I would like to introduce the story of the birth of Tenno through Nihon-Sho-Ki (completed in 720) and one oral historical record, Koji-Ki (712A.D.) and, also the changes of the definitions of the regimes throughout history regarding Tenno and Shinto. The Imperial system was introduced in Japanese history at least twice, once during Tenji Emperor Regime (668-671A.D.) and the second time, during the Meiji Regime (1868-1945). Therefore, the terminology of the Meiji Restoration is a bit strained interpretation I think because there was only one emperor in the ancient history.

At the same time, I’d like to clarify the reason why the GHQ measures toward the Emperor Showa, Hirohito, and Shinto were unknown to the general public. It is partly because of the distorted information controlled by the major Japanese media and teachers’ union. But it is mostly because academic society based on the University of Tokyo has held on to the incorrect notion about Tenno and Japanese spiritualism.

Japan is a country which is rich in its unique culture and nature, most of which reflects the value of Shinto.

The birth of Tenno is a very fascinating story…

The Main Shrine of Meiji Jingu Shrine

On New Years Day, most people worship from the shrine far from the building. If you apply for special purification, it is possible to get into the main shrine to have purification ceremony and see young shrine maidens’ dance with traditional Japanese music, called Gagaku.