The Burakumin descendended as part of the outcasts from Japan's feudal system. The name Burakumin means "hamlet people." During Japan's feudal days the Burakumin were placed into two groups; the eta "defiled ones/filthy commoners" or the hinin "non-humans." The eta held jobs which revolved around death. Shinto/Buddhist religions identify death with defilement; therefore, the Burakumin were identified as defiled. The second hinin group included ex-convicts, prostitutes, beggers, and low-level entertainers. The group was identifited as the lowest of the low in society.
In the early 18th century the Burakumin were given several social rules about what they could wear, where they could go, and how long they could be out. In 1871 the "Emancipation Act" was passed that abolished the feudal system, but no laws were passed to end the discrimination against the Burakumin. In the 1900s several groups formed to fight for Burakumin rights.
Today many Burakumin have assimilated into Japanese culture; however, there are still around 4,000- 6,000 Burakumin communities (depending on which source you use). The total population in these communities is around 1-3 million people. The settlements are located in mainly rural areas. The Burakumin face some discrimination in marriage and employment. The discrimination is mostly seen in the western areas of Japan.
The Burakumin trained their own Buddhist and Shinto priest and also produced unauthorized practitioners of both religions and other folk religions. The Burakumin used diviners and ceremonial performers. Early Christian missionaries were drawn to the Burakumin because of their evident needs and persecution. During this time some became followers of Christ.
* Scripture Prayers for the Burakumin in Japan.
Pray that the Burakumin would find their identity in Christ.
Pray for a church planting movement among the Burakumin communities.
Pray for Japanese hearts to change so that discrimination toward the Burakumin would be eliminated.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/84894/burakumin
http://goo.gl/iFRF4
http://goo.gl/mZSeP
http://goo.gl/BpG7e
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burakumin
Profile Source: Rachel Routt |
Global Prayer Digest: 2006-08-10 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-04-02 |
People Name General | Burakumin |
People Name in Country | Burakumin |
Pronunciation |
boo-RAH-koo-min
|
Population this Country | 884,000 |
Population all Countries | 884,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 18 |
Alternate Names | |
People ID | 11228 |
ROP3 Code | 103047 |
Country | Japan | ||
Region | Asia, Northeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Widespread Source: Ethnologue 2010 |
Country | Japan |
Region | Asia, Northeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Widespread. Source: Ethnologue 2010 |
Primary Language | Japanese (884,000 speakers) |
Language Code | jpn Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Japanese (884,000 speakers) |
Language Code | jpn Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Japanese |
Primary Language: Japanese
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1837-1992) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1879-1993) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1883-2018) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | Christ for the Nations |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Japanese |
Film / Video | Love letter to you from scripture |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels |
Film / Video | Magdalena video |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
General | Biblical answers to your questions |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | Gospel resources links |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible Gateway scripture |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Japanese |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
74.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.20 %) |
0.50 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
25.50 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
0.0 %
|
Independent |
35.0 %
|
Orthodox |
0.0 %
|
Other Christian |
15.0 %
|
Protestant |
25.0 %
|
Roman Catholic |
25.0 %
|
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2022 Somchai Stock - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group location: Japan General Affairs Agency, Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Rachel Routt |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |