SHINTO

What is Shinto? “The way of the gods” Ancient, indigenous, mythical, nature religion of Japan Wide variety Hard to define No founder – An “ethnic” religion of the Japanese people The root and embodiment of Japanese culture

Shinto’s History More than 1500 years old Japanese worship had consisted of a variety of practices Ancestor worship, animism, many gods Chinese missionaries brought Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism Name ‘Shinto’ originated to differentiate between the old & new customs Shinto dictated ways of daily life, Buddhism dictated thoughts on afterlife

Shinto’s Revival Shinto was so blended it had almost disappeared by the 8 th century Tokugawa Regime ( ) Military leaders Sought to eliminate outside influence Religions pushed out (Except Confucianism since it supported military ethics) Samurai 1853, 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 Polytheistic Present 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 Goddess Mother of the first emperor of Japan

Three kinds of Shinto 1.Shrine/Folk Shinto 2.State Shinto 3.Sect Shinto

Shrine Shinto a.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 1889  end of WWII Emphasis on Japanese culture and nationality (elimination of foreign influences) Emperors of Japan as divine Hierarchy of shrines: Main shrine at Ise – dedicated to Amaterasu Mother 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 sects 1.Mountain worship 2.Faith healers 3.Pure Shinto (similar to yoga practices in Hinduism) Some combine Shinto with influences from Buddhism or other religions

The Problem for Humans Alienation Humans can become ritually unclean and need purification Estranged from the kami and need communication Alienated 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 conduct People are a part of something (family, nation, etc.) Duty to sacrifice your selfish impulses to good of the whole Groups govern your behavior and consequences

The Four Affirmations Tradition and Family Love of Nature Physical cleanliness Matsuri: festivals that worship and honor the Kami

The End

Shinto Practices Tradition and Family Life cycle celebrations take place at shrines: Newborn’s first visit to shrine Newborn’s first visit to shrine festival: blessings for boys age 5, girls ages 3 & 7 Entry 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 Misoji

Shinto on the Web Ancient Japan: Shinto Creation Stories AT.HTM AT.HTM Visit a Shinto shrine on-line: Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America p p The Shinto Online Network Association