But it is only during the last forty years or so that Shinto
has been erected into a State religion, and has been reconstructed so as
to suit modern requirements.[48] It is, of course, preferable to
Buddhism because it is native and national; it is a tribal religion, not
one which aims at appealing to all mankind. Its whole purpose, as it has
been developed by modern statesmen, is to glorify Japan and the Mikado.
Professor Chamberlain points out how little reverence there was for the
Mikado until some time after the Restoration:--
The sober fact is that no nation probably has ever treated its
sovereigns more cavalierly than the Japanese have done, from the
beginning of authentic history down to within the memory of
living men. Emperors have been deposed, emperors have been
assassinated; for centuries every succession to the throne was
the signal for intrigues and sanguinary broils. Emperors have
been exiled; some have been murdered in exile.... For long
centuries the Government was in the hands of Mayors of the
Palace, who substituted one infant sovereign for another,
generally forcing each to abdicate as he approached man's estate.
At one period, these Mayors of the Palace left the Descendant of
the Sun in such distress that His Imperial Majesty and the
Imperial Princes were obliged to gain a livelihood by selling
their autographs! Nor did any great party in the State protest
against this condition of affairs.
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