A personification of the nation of Japan. He is capable of speech. He is confused about what Japanese religion ultimately is. Buddhism arrived in the Asuka period, national culture flourished in the Heian period, and the era of samurai government began. During that time, Buddhism held power and was eventually suppressed. Christianity arrived between the Sengoku and early Edo periods and was suppressed during the Edo era. From the Meiji era, the suppression of Christianity ended, but its spread was restricted. Consequently, many people are Buddhist, Shinto, or non-religious, yet they participate in events from various religions. What exactly is Japanese religion?