Shintō to Buddhism

Reinventing Religious Identity in Korea After Liberation

During Japan’s colonization of Korea (1910–1945), State Shintō was forcibly introduced through the establishment of shrines and enforced participation in rituals, particularly by students and government workers (Grayson; Chōsen Shrine required attendance as a political act). This widespread imposition made Shintō highly associated with colonial authority and ideological control. In contrast, Buddhism had been part of Korean heritage for centuries and carried no stigma of foreign imposition.

After liberation in 1945, Shintō was widely rejected in Korea, while Buddhism was viewed as part of the national cultural and religious identity.

Political and Social Pressures

Shintō clergy or anyone linked to Shintō were at risk of being labeled collaborators with the Japanese colonial regime. Such stigma could lead to social ostracism or worse. By contrast, those associated with Buddhism were viewed as culturally legitimate and spiritually benevolent, making Buddhist identity a favorable alternative.

Cultural Perception and Misidentification

To the general public unfamiliar with Japanese religious garb, the distinction between Shintō ceremonial attire and Buddhist robes might have been unclear. Therefore, presenting oneself as a Buddhist monk was a practical way to avoid the stigma attached to Shintō affiliation, especially in a period when religious symbols had strong political meanings.

Strategic Reinvention

In post-war Korea’s rapidly changing climate, recasting one’s religious identity was a means of social survival. Claiming Buddhist identity provided continued spiritual or communal authority without colonial taint. It was both a personal and political strategy to remain relevant and respected.

Comparative Tables

Table 1: Public Perception in Post-War Korea (circa 1945–1950)

Aspect	Shintō Priest	Buddhist Monk
Political Association	Linked to Japanese colonialism	Rooted in Korean tradition
Public Reputation	Viewed as collaborator	Respected spiritual figure
Cultural Legitimacy	Foreign-imposed, often rejected	Indigenous, normative
Social Risk	High (stigmatized)	Low (broad acceptance)
Opportunities	Severely limited	Available through religious leadership

Table 2: Religious Signifiers and Public Perception

Feature	Shintō Priest	Buddhist Monk
Attire	Layered robes with formal pattern or cut	Plain, functionally simple robes
Headgear	Black cap or crown	Shaved head (no headwear)
Ritual Objects	Wooden baton (shaku), paper streamers	Prayer beads, staff, sutra scroll
Symbolic Setting	Shrine with sacred rope, torii gates	Temple with Buddha statues, incense
Cultural Role	Representative of Japanese ideology	Spiritual and moral guide within Korean tradition

Conclusion

After Korea’s liberation, religious identity was both symbolic and strategic. In a time when Shintō was equated with colonial oppression, claiming to be a Buddhist monk offered not just spiritual cover but also cultural rehabilitation. This reframing allowed individuals to retain authority, social standing, and moral legitimacy in a society eager to distance itself from Japan’s colonial legacy.

References:

Kim, Y. T. (2025). The common ground between Japanese and Korean Buddhism in the early modern period: changes in the perception of the mechanism of the State–Buddhist relationship. Religions, 16(4), 419. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16040419

Grisafi, J. G. (2016). Shintō in Colonial Korea: A Broadening Narrative of Imperial era Shintō. Upenn. https://www.academia.edu/28557377/Shint%C5%8D_in_Colonial_Korea_A_Broadening_Narrative_of_Imperial_Era_Shint%C5%8D?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Shinto in Korea. (2025). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from Wikipedia database. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto_in_Korea?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Chōsen Shrine. (2025). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from Wikipedia database. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%8Dsen_Shrine?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Korean Buddhism. (2025). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from Wikipedia database. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Buddhism?utm_source=chatgpt.com