Shinto

By: Helen, Tanvir, Connie, Rebecca, & Emily

Origin & Timeframe

Japan

Dates back to 500 BCE

Is no longer a religion (ceased to exist in 1945) is now part of Buddhism

Shinto

The connection between the power and beauty of nature and the Japanese people

Teaches that everything in life contains a kami

Kami: god or spirit

Founders & Important Figures

There is no specific person credited with the founding of Shinto.

Important Figures:

Izanagi & Izanami

They are Japanese gods said to have created Japan.

Founders & Important Figures

The most widely worshipped figure in the Shinto religion is:

Amaterasu (the daughter of Izanagi & Izanami)She is the goddess of the sun and is said to show people their beauty and potential in life.

Current Day Shinto

Shinto was disestablished during WWII when Japan fell under American powerIn the year 1946, a year after Japan's defeat, Emperor Hirohito negated his "divine" ruler/emperor status in a New Year's revision and is the last known "divine ruler" Later that same year, American General Douglas MacArthur impeded public funding for Shinto, further hindering the religion and playing a hand in dissolving the Shinto religion.

Current Day Shinto Cont’d

In today's time, Shinto has changed drastically, there is no longer a divine ruler, Shinto is not as important and prevalent.

current day Shinto has bridged itself with Buddhism as well, Shinto rituals are used for the living and Buddhist rituals for the dead

temples can be found in any place that accommodates a large Japanese population such as the US, Canada and Japan.

Interesting Facts

Franklin D. Roosevelt praised Shintoism right after Pearl Harbour and many Americans were angry with his comments

Before Buddhism, there was no Shinto

In 1868, a flood of change known as the Meiji Restoration took place and Shinto became the official state religion, numerous shrines were built, and the emperor was also known as the high priest. However, the restoration did not last and proceeding attempts withered.

-when entering a shrine they would pass through a Tori

-when entering a shrine they would pass through a Tori

- In the past the people who believed in Shinto practiced misogi

- In the past the people who believed in Shinto practiced misogi

Rituals and PracticesRituals and Practices

Kagura - ritual dances that are accompanied by ancient musical instruments

- ritual dances that are accompanied by ancient musical instruments

Mamori Charms-charms that people wear to help them in healing and protection

-charms that people wear to help them in healing and protection

Kami Dana- a shelf for the gods is usually put in many homes

- a shelf for the gods is usually put in many homes

Origami

-seen on trees of shinto shrines

- The paper is never cut when folding something out of respect for the tree spirit

•People of the Shinto religion believe that spirits known as Kami exist everywhere.

•Kami- ‘high’ or ‘superior’

•Kami- ‘high’ or ‘superior’

•The Kami can be found in anything from rocks and trees to animals and thunder.

•Kami can be explained in the story of two deities, Izanagi & Izanami.

Amaterasu, the Sun Goddes is the most important diety to the shinto religion, as the sun on the Japanese flag is also a representation of her.

Shinto rituals are composed of : PURITY and POLLUTION.

Ritual purity is critical for the appeal to the Kami to be successful.

Ritual impurity can come from things such as simply bleeding due to an act of violence.

A very important purification ritual within Shintoism is the yutate.

In this ritual, the priest, dips a branch of the Sakaki tree and dips it into a cauldron of hot water, then waves the branch over the heads of those assembled to pray.

Following this he says a prayer known as the Norito.

After this a dance is held in process of purifying the water.

Later a shrine maiden takes a wooden bowl and scoops the air above the cauldron, inviting the kami to the bowl, which she in turn pours into the cauldron.

SYMBOLS

TORII GATE

•The Torii Gate is a structure that marks a Shinto Shrine. It appears at the entrances of Holy Places.

•Often painted red, the Torii represents a transition between the finite world and the infinite world of the gods.

TOMOEThe Tomoe, meaning circular or turning, refers to the motion of the earth.

The most common tomoe emblem has three flames. This reflects the threefold division of Shinto cosmology, representing the earth, heavens, and humankind.

The emblem with two flames is used as a kamon, or family crest, a device similar to the coat of arms.

Pronunciation: TOH-MOH-AY

Thank you!