Were Japanese (or Chinese / far east) monarchs ''subordinate'' to a religious leader, the same way European monarchs were ''subordinate'' to the Holy See of Rome?

by Noatak_Kenway

The Pope, as head of the catholic church to which monarchs were faithful to, had the power to excommunicate (European) monarchs and declare them illegitimate heirs to the thrones of their respective Kingdoms and Empires, or to order other monarchs to declare war on them. Did Japan, China or any other far east Kingdom/Empire have such a religious leader with the same powers?

Historyisrad

No because the Japanese emperor ( or really, "king" or "monarch" might be a better translation until we get to modern times) was originally and primarily a religious leader with political power traditionally delegated to court families and, later, warriors.