1.3.2 Resolving Conflict: Deliberation and Decision#

With eight million gods gathered in one place, the sheer scale of the assembly is unimaginable, and disagreements are inevitable. Legend has it that the gods primarily employ three methods to reach a consensus:

First is the Spirit of “Wa” (Harmony) . The meetings generally operate on a “collective consensus system,” where the gods exchange opinions continuously until a balance is struck. This mirrors Japanese culture, which places a high premium on “harmony” and consensus-building. Rather than a simple majority rule where the minority must submit, they prefer to seek a middle ground that everyone can accept.

If deliberation proves fruitless, they revert to the primordial method of Shinto: “Urabe” (Divination) . Through sacred rituals, they consult the “Will of Heaven” to render a judgment.

Finally, there is Okuninushi-no-Okami’s “Final Judgment” . As the supreme ruler of the Unseen World and the chairman of the assembly, Okuninushi holds the ultimate authority when stalemates occur. As I mentioned earlier, the true spirit of democracy values “deliberation” (Gi), but it relies just as heavily on “decision” (Ketsu). Okuninushi’s final word serves as the ultimate embodiment of that decisive power.