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Revision as of 15:21, 5 January 2013
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Since the [[Meiji period]], the Imperial institution has been closely tied into a form of [[Shinto]] defined and constructed at that time. However, historically, Buddhism was much more prominent in Imperial funerary practices, and in the Imperial institution more broadly.
All Emperors from [[Emperor Shomu|Shômu]] ([[724]]-[[749]]) to [[Emperor Komei|Kômei]] ([[1846]]-[[1867]]) were buried in Buddhist ceremonies; all those from [[Empress Jito|Empress Jitô]] ([[686]]-[[697]]) until the beginning of the [[Edo period]], with a few exceptions, were cremated. Early in that period, from Jitô (686-697) until [[Emperor Junna]] ([[823]]-[[833]]), the bones remaining after cremation were powdered and scattered.
From [[Emperor Komyo|Emperor Kômyô]] ([[1336]]-[[1347]]) onwards, for a time, Emperors were buried at sites chosen by Buddhist ritual, nearby to a major temple; funerary rites associated with cremation were employed, but the bodies were actually buried.<ref>This and the previous statement seem to contradict one another; it is unclear from Amino's text which was the case.</ref> Beginning with [[Emperor Go-Kogon|Emperor Go-Kôgon]] ([[1352]]-[[1370]]), a number of emperors were buried in simple graves, and without tumuli, at [[Sennyu-ji|Sennyû-ji]]; [[Emperor Go-Hanazono]] was an exception.
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==References==
*Amino Yoshihiko. "Deconstructing 'Japan'." ''East Asian History'' 3 (1992), 122.
[[Category:Buddhism]]
[[Category:Shinto]]
