Shinto.

This is coolbert:

“This will get their attention!!”

Again, from the Chicago Tribune today:

“Japan”

“Mailing of finger spurs arrest”

“TOKYO - - Police arrested an extremist Thursday for sending his severed finger to the ruling part to protest the prime minister’s [of Japan] absence from the Yasukuni Shrine honoring Japan’s 2.5 million war dead on the anniversary of the end of World War II, according to reports.”

NEVER SAY THE JAPANESE DO NOT TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY.

The Yasukuni Shrine is dedicated to Japanese war dead. It is almost an obligatory ritual for Japanese prime ministers to visit the shrine and pay their respects.

There is, however, a controversial aspect to the Yasukuni Shrine. Incorporated into the names of the war dead are those persons executed by American authorities as war criminals in the aftermath of World War Two. Persons such as Hideki Tojo.

"The shrine is a source of considerable controversy. Included in the Book of Souls are 1,068 people convicted of war crimes by a post World War II court. A total of 12 convicted and 2 suspected Class A war criminals ('crime against peace') are enshrined at Yasukuni."

I can recall first reading of this “incorporation” many years ago now. Created only a slight stir at the time. Names added IN SECRET, HOPING TO AVOID NOTICE!!

David Yeagley at his web site does have some interesting comments regarding the ritual-like visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to the Yasukuni Shrine.

"BadEagle has pointed out before, the Shinto religion does not honor the life, deeds, or character of the dead. It honors the departed spirits, the kami (gods) which depart without moral definition. This is ancient animism. Koizumi [the Japanese Prime Minister at the time] is not honoring war criminals. That is a superimposition of Western abstract political ideology."

[there is a whole group of folks out there who consider David Yeagley to be an American Indian imposter, a poseur’, a fraud, a fake, an all-around bad man and a white supremacist to boot!! From what I read, this is NOT so!! David sounds authentic to me!!]

"poseur'

a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not"

Also, cutting off your own finger is indicative of behavior normally associated with the Yakuza [Japanese mafia]. A sign of atonement or guilt freely accepted . There is a close link between the Yakuza and Japanese “right-wing” elements.

coolbert.