This illuminating introduction to Japanese culture and religiosity offers a straightforward chronological narrative to Japanese religions by focusing on major Japanese religious and political figures who have profound acumen into their own living faith and describing what each thought (or taught) and did. Covers Japanese religious practices from the medieval times to present day, taking an existential and psychological approach to exploring the founders of various Japanese Buddhist sects and concentrating on what kind of questions they themselves asked about Buddhism. Describes the rise of modern Japanese nationalism in relation to “State Shinto” , explaining how it underwent ideological and political transfigurations through the times to help readers in their appraisal of the current state of Japanese society, politics, and what direction the country may be taking in the future. Also presents significant discussions on the role of women and their positions in Japanese religions, history, and society. For general readers interested in Japanese religions, world religions, and Asian culture.