Danka system
System of voluntary and long-term affiliation between Buddhist temples and households
The danka system (檀家制度, danka seido) was a historical government system in Japan where households would be required to register with Buddhist Temples. [1] This effectively put a lot of the work of administration on the temples rather than the government.
It was used to persecute Christians.[2]
In the Meiji Restoration it was replaced with Shrine Parishioner Registration.