beware of gods

Ask a Japanese person if they have a religion and the answer will most likely be no. But ask a student studying for university entrance exams why they bought the “Pass the Exam” amulet, and they will say, “Just in case it works.” Ask a family what sect of Buddhism they belong to, and they’ll think back to what kind of priest came when the last family member died.

I think the best example of this vague line between religion, modern life, and tradition is the case of the drunken salaryman with a full bladder. Being drunk in public is not an offense, and drinking in public is often overlooked. It is also understood that a drunken man may feel the need to relieve himself at a moment when there are no restrooms in sight. It is therefore not uncommon to see railroad tracks, bushes, trees, and walls being used as makeshift urinals late at night. It is, however, rather annoying for those whose property gets a watering.

The solution to this problem is quite interesting - Several shrines in the area sell miniature torii (shrine gates) which are supposed to be offered to the gods. Torii represent the separation of the sacred from the profane. Wall and tree owners have taken to placing these torii on their property to prevent late night toilet seekers from dirtying their sacred space. For while most Japanese would say they have no strong belief in the gods, they still don’t want to take their chances of angering whatever could be out there by peeing on a sacred symbol.