The traditions of Japanese religions have been studied mainly from the standpoint of established religions, such as Shinto, Buddhism, and Taoism. However, the Japanese people have selected or adapted these several religious traditions according to their own necessities in their religious lives. "Folk religion" is a manipulated concept used in order to identify the traditions of Japanese religions through the religious life of communities. Folk Religion formed a synthesis from various religious traditions, such as Shinto (that was developed from natural religion), Buddhism, Chinese Taoism, and Confucianism as established/organized religious traditions. This syncretistic religion was transmitted by local preachers together with other religions that were established in Japan such as Shugendo, Onmyodo and some new religions, in accordance with the needs of the religious life of communities, and widely accepted as "Folk Religion." In many studies, however, Folk Religion has often been considered to be a remnant that has lost its substance. In this article, I have examined past studies on the establishment and development of Folk Religion, mainly focusing on the work of local preachers, and have pointed out that the key to identify the traditions of Japanese religions is to be found in the history of Folk Religion in the life of the community.
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