shinto. what is shinto? “the way of the gods” ancient, indigenous, mythical, nature religion of...
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SHINTO
What is Shinto?
“The way of the gods” Ancient, indigenous, mythical, nature
religion of JapanWide varietyHard to define
No founder – An “ethnic” religion of the Japanese people
The root and embodiment of Japanese culture
Shinto’s HistoryMore than 1500 years oldJapanese worship had consisted of a
variety of practicesAncestor worship, animism, many gods
Chinese missionaries brought Buddhism, Confucianism, TaoismName ‘Shinto’ originated to
differentiate between the old & new customs
Shinto dictated ways of daily life, Buddhism dictated thoughts on afterlife
Shinto’s RevivalShinto was so blended it had
almost disappeared by the 8th century
Tokugawa Regime (1600-1867)Military leadersSought to eliminate outside influenceReligions pushed out (Except
Confucianism since it supported military ethics)
Samurai1853, Commodore Perry opened
trade between Japan and US
Shinto Mythology
Two main texts: Kojiki (myths of ancient times, origins of
gods and man, islands of Japan)Nihonji (ancient history of Japan)
The Kami: gods & goddesses PolytheisticPresent everywhere, in nature and people
Creation myth – Japan as the center of the world
Izanagi (“male”) & izanami (“female”) (brother & sister) create the islands of Japan
Shinto Mythology
Amaterasu – the Sun GoddessMother of the first emperor of Japan
Three kindsof Shinto
1. Shrine/Folk Shinto2. State Shinto3. Sect Shinto
Shrine Shintoa.k.a. Domestic Shinto
Jinja (shrines) - Tens of thousands located throughout Japan
Torii – entry gate, separates sacred from profane space
Household shrines – kami-dana (god shelf)Contain offerings for ancestors, etc.
State Shinto
Constitution of 1889end of WWIIEmphasis on Japanese culture and
nationality (elimination of foreign influences)
Emperors of Japan as divine Hierarchy of shrines:
Main shrine at Ise – dedicated to AmaterasuMother goddess of Japan
Palace shrines honoring Amaterasu, other kami, and emperors
Shrines elsewhere dedicated to national heroes
97% of remaining shrines dedicated to local kami
Sect Shinto
13 recognized sects1. Mountain worship2. Faith healers3. Pure Shinto (similar to yoga
practices in Hinduism) Some combine Shinto with
influences from Buddhism or other religions
The Problem for Humans
AlienationHumans can become ritually unclean
and need purificationEstranged from the kami and need
communicationAlienated from family, ancestors,
community, emperor thru failure to do what’s expected
Solution: reconciliation thru offerings, prayer, heroic deeds, ritual suicide
Community
Devotion to family and country governs all conductPeople are a part of something
(family, nation, etc.)Duty to sacrifice your selfish
impulses to good of the wholeGroups govern your behavior
and consequences
The FourAffirmations
Tradition and FamilyLove of NaturePhysical cleanlinessMatsuri: festivals that worship
and honor the Kami
The End
Shinto PracticesTradition and Family
Life cycle celebrations take place at shrines:
Newborn’s first visit to shrine7-5-3 festival: blessings for boys age
5, girls ages 3 & 7Entry to adulthood (age 20)Marriage(since Shinto celebrates life in this world,
in death, the Japanese turn to Buddhist rather than Shinto rituals)
Shinto Practices
Love of Nature:Annual cycle of seasonal festivals
Physical Cleanliness:Misoji - Water purification rites to
wash away impurity, thus restoring original purity
Shinto on the Web
Ancient Japan: Shinto Creation Stories http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPAN/CREAT.HTM
Visit a Shinto shrine on-line: Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America http://www.tsubakishrine.com/test/home.asp
The Shinto Online Network Association http://www.jinja.or.jp/english/s-0.html