The Connection between Shintoism, Agriculture, and Faith: The Scene at the Fair in Postwar Society and the Period of Rapid Economic Growth

The Connection between Shintoism, Agriculture, and Faith: The Scene at the Fair in Postwar Society and the Period of Rapid Economic Growth

In the world of tekiya, there was a unique term called "shin-no-michi. It meant to devote oneself to one's work and to observe the code and faith, and those who practiced it were called "shin-no-michi" (divine farmers). Shennong" here refers to the legendary ancient Chinese emperor Shennong, who was regarded as the founder of medicine, agriculture, and trade. Once in Japan, it was passed down to peddlers, medicine vendors, and street vendors, and eventually sublimated into the "belief in Jinno" as a spiritual pillar of the tekiya. In the chaotic postwar period, for those who operated street stalls on the black market, Shinno-Michi had more significance than mere business.

This faith was not merely a ritualistic ceremony, but functioned as a norm that maintained the community. The relationship between parents and offspring was considered "family" beyond blood, and the ideal of "daido" (unity), which aimed for coexistence and co-prosperity, was emphasized. This attitude of respect for duty and trust was essential for maintaining order within the organization against a backdrop of postwar social unrest and an underdeveloped legal system. As urbanization and a boom in consumption led to a period of rapid economic growth that saw the proliferation of fairs and festivals, festivals and rituals that honored the gods and farmers played an important role in the cultural and religious legitimization of tekiya society.

Kanno worship also had the function of elevating the tekiya's existence from "mere street vendors" to a higher level. For example, at the Shohikona Shrine (Kanno-san) in Osaka, the belief in praying for prosperous business as well as the medicine business took root, and street vendors sought blessings in the same context. The inseparability of commerce and faith can be seen in the fact that, in contrast to corporate society, where employees were bound by work norms and company precepts, tekiya held people together through religious norms and familial loyalty.

Eventually, the implementation of the Gang Exclusion Ordinance restricted the activities of the tekiya, but vestiges of kanno beliefs continued to linger in local festivals and fairs. From the postwar period through the period of rapid economic growth, shin-no-michi symbolized the tekiya's philosophy of "living together in community, observing the code and faith," and supported its cultural foundation.