Disability in Japanese Culture

Abstract

It can be said that there are three main religious traditions - Buddhism, Confucianism and Shintoism-that affect the Japanese thoughts on disability. in this article, it is firstly mentioned to the approaches of Buddhism and Confucianism concerning disability and their influence on Japanese culture. After, it is referred to the perceptions in Shinto texts as to disability and their practical reflections. From this texts, it is understood that the birth of a baby as a disabled is interpreted as the result of his/her parent's guilt/impurity.