According to the beliefs of ancient Japanese society, which followed what is known as "ancient Shinto," someone who conducted religious services ("matsuri" in Japanese) was essentially the same as someone who was engaged in politics (also "matsuri" in Japanese); this was a case of what is called saisei itchi (the unity of shrine, temple and state; in other words, theocracy), and this led to politics occasionally being called matsurigoto (a word that can be used to refer both to government and worship) in Japan.
「政り」については、日本は古代からの信仰や社会である、いわゆる古神道おいて、祭祀を司る者（まつり）と政治を司る者（まつり）は、同じ意味であり、この二つの「まつり」が一致した祭政一致といわれるものであったため、政治のことを政（まつりごと）とも呼んだ。