So, even the military ruling elite gave the gods a tax break, and tax-free sake began to proliferate in Shinto shrines, ostensibly for religious purposes only. But Buddhism was also gaining ground in Japan, and as a result of some unique blend of vagueness and tolerance, very often Shinto...
Zenkoji’s great popularity stems partly from its liberal welcoming of believers from all Buddhist sects, including women, and its chief officials are both a priest and a priestess. It is interesting to note that because the temple was founded before Buddhism in Japan was split into several dif...