According to E.Namihira, in Shinto a dead body is very powerful; therefore, it is quite dangerous to remove organs. There is great concern among Shinto that the relationship between the dead person and rest of the family (known as itai) should not be violated. It is a general belief that any cutting into a dead body would cause harm to the itai and this is the reason organ donation is seen by Shinto communities to be against their religion (Namihira 1990, 940-941).