I think that the situation is a bit more complicated than you depict. Perhaps monotheism was difficult for Japanese to conceive of, but Shinto and Buddhism have

I think that the situation is a bit more complicated than you depict. Perhaps monotheism was difficult for Japanese to conceive of, but Shinto and Buddhism have played a large role in Japanese history, including that of violence. Zen and World War 2: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_at_War http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen_at_War Warrior Monks burning down other sects' temples: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dhei http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dhei Persecution and martyrdom of Christians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs_of_Japan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyrs_of_Japan As to where these religious tendencies go in modern Japan, there are a number of things to think about (consider their celebrities are literally called "idols"). Confucius might not have said much about the Sky, but he constantly emphasized the importance of the Rites.