Religion
3 stories
No religion, thank you. See you at the shrine on New Year's Day
Most people in Japan say they have no religion. Millions of them queue at a shrine in the first days of January anyway. The puzzle starts with the word "religion" itself.
Who are you thanking when you say "itadakimasu" before a meal in Japan?
Hands together, one word, then chopsticks. Many people in Japan say "itadakimasu" before a meal, even with no religion in mind. Who is the thanks for?
Eight million gods: why a tree, a stove and a mountain can all have one
Japan's "eight million gods" is not a head count. It is a way of saying that a place, a tree or a stove can be worth some awe.