What special meanings does the number 8,000,000 have in the Japanese language and where do they come from?


What special meanings does the number 8,000,000 have in the Japanese language
and where do they come from?

Possible suggestions from me:

  * Eternity
  * Infinity

In the course of time, I have come across various indications that the number
8,000,000 could have a special meaning in the Japanese language.

One hint is for example the Japanese national anthem.

  * <https://web.archive.org/web/20230326120623/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimigayo#/media/File:Kimigayo.score.svg>




Underpinned by the source below, the term 8,000,000 in Japanese has, at least
among other things, the following meaning, which of course everyone may
interpret quite personally and perhaps quite differently.

In Japan, the number 8,000,000 is used as an unlimited number, in connection
with the naming of the number of Kami.

The term gods in Japan can be understood in the sense that the Japanese are
inclined to show respect for everything and everyone, as they consider them to
be sacred, animate and holy. This can be expressed, for example, by the fact
that they weigh the presumed interests of their environment against their own
and take these into account in their decisions.

To some observers of Japanese culture, respect for anything and everything
(gods), i.e., for example, a tree, a rock, a dragonfly, a deer, a chicken, a
piece of moss, a human being, or one of one's ancestors may seem to be a kind
of natural religion.

For lack of a better term understandable to non-Japanese, "kami" is usually
translated as "gods" to at least give an indication of what it is broadly
about). In the sense that Japan is a happy country full of gods. Or it could
also be interpreted to mean that Japan is a happy country because it is full
of people who respect and appreciate each other.

Underpinning source:
<https://web.archive.org/web/20230404152618/https://okwave.jp/qa/q9912959.html>

