Animism and Ancestor Worship ——A Comparative Study on Yi’s and Japan’s Soul Beliefs

Japanese Shinto and the primitive religion of Yi nationality are both founded on Animism and Ancestor Worship,which acknowledge the plurality,permanency and utility of Soul.In real life,under the impact of respective soul beliefs,Yi people greatly value Jia Zhi(a unique paternal clan system of Y)i and families and Japanese is also a nation with strong collective consciousness.While Yi people believe in the pre-birth existence of soul as the essence of human beings,Japanese regard the post-death soul as significant,which reflects their unique interdependence psyche.Despite differences,both soul beliefs are indebted to Taoism.