Why Were Religious Events Held during the Spanish Flu Pandemic?

Abstract

This paper aims to focus on the fact that religious events were held during the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1920. Furthermore, it intends to elucidate the factors that rendered these events possible. For this reason, the study constructed a chronological table based on a database of newspaper articles and contrasted the activities restricted by the Spanish flu with those that were held as usual, such as religious events. At the same time, this study examines the records of the Imperial Family and the prime minister who were affected by the Spanish flu, as well as essays, novels, and diary entries regarding the Spanish flu. The results indicate that various activities were restricted and controlled; in schools, hospitals, army cantonments, and factories, which were institutions that symbolized modern spaces. In contrast, various activities were held during religious events, celebrations, and entertainments in areas considered traditional spaces. By referring to articles on festivals and Bon events, it is also suggested that traditional spaces displayed the public character of society (seken), which differed from that of modern spaces and exhibited flexibility by including even the acceptance of death.