Whatever may be the defects of Shintoism, human sacrifice never seems really to have been part of its practice,[106] and to this fact, with the increasing regard for life that came with civilization, is undoubtedly due the little emphasis given to infanticide among the Japanese. Another influence, undoubtedly, and this is said to be the “best point of Shinto,”[107] is that the people were taught that they themselves were sons and daughters of the gods, a belief apt to save the killing of surplus members of society in a time of economic stress.
According to the Nihongi, human sacrifice was put an end to in Japan in the year A. D. 3:
“Tenth month, fifth day: Yamato-hiko, the Mikado’s younger brother by the mother’s side, died.
“Eleventh month, second day: Yamato-hiko was buried at Tsukizaka in Musa. Thereupon his personal attendants were assembled, and were all buried alive upright in the precinct of the tomb. For several days they died not, but wept and wailed day and night. At last they died and rotted. Dogs and crows gathered and ate them.
“The Emperor, hearing the sound of their weeping and wailing, was grieved at heart, and commanded his high officers, saying:
“‘It is a very painful thing to force these whom one has loved in life to follow him in death. Though it be an ancient custom, why follow it if it is bad? From this time forward, take counsel so as to put a stop to the following of the dead.’
“A. D. 3, seventh month, sixth day: The Empress Hibasuhime no Mikoto died. Sometime before the burial the Emperor commanded his ministers, saying:
“‘We have already recognized that the practice of following the dead is not good. What should now be done in performing this burial?’
“Thereupon Nomi no Sukune came forward and said: