Due to the nature of Shinto practice and belief it is hard to get a very accurate estimate of adherents Estimates range from million followers to 40% of Japanese adults which would equal 50 million, and some claim 86% of Japanese adults which would place the number at 107 million. There are estimates of 1000 followers in North America … as there is no main text to outline practices one must have intimate knowledge of Japanese culture to actively practice Shinto. DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Shinto is the native spiritual practice of Japan Until the introduction of Buddhism (in 552 C.E.) to Japan it had no real name. Buddhism and Confucianism have heavily influenced Shinto. The Word “Shinto” Means way of the Gods or alternately Way of Kami ORIGIN

A SHINTO PRIEST

Shintoist believe in kami. A kami is a spirit which can be of ancestors, gods, revered warriors, leaders, forces of nature, demons, and all but the last Japanese Emperor. Most Kami protect people and sustain nature. The most revered of these Kami is Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess, who is the ancestor of the Imperial family of Japan. The shrine to her is in the town Ise. BASIC BELIEFS

AMATERASU OMIKAMI’S SHRINE AT ISE

Shinto beliefs state that certain deeds, one might term evil, lead the human min and spirit towards impurity which has negative effects on an individuals fortune and well being. Consequently, purity is very important in Shinto and most rituals performed by priest and laymen is t attain a state of ritual purity to appeal to angry or disturbed Kami. BELIEFS CONTINUED...

These four beliefs form the philosophical core of Shinto. Tradition and the family: The family is how traditions are passed on and most shinto celebrations revolve around the family ) birth, marriage, and death Love of nature: Nature is sacred and to be close to nature I to be close to the gods. Physical cleanliness: Keep your body clean. Hygiene is holy "Matsuri":Honor the gods and other spirits (i.e. ancestors) FOUR AFFIRMATIONS OF SHINTO

A TRADITIONAL SHINTO WEDDING PROCESSION

After creating the first land out of nothing by stirring up the oceans with a spear, two Kami, Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami- no-mikoto, are said to have conceived and given birth to the Japanese Islands. The first children turned out badly and were exiled, the second time, Izanami gave birth to the “8 perfect islands” of Japan. Their subsequent children became the kami/respective deities for the Clans of Japan. CREATION STORY

IZANAGI-NO-MIKOTO & IZANAMI-NO- MIKOTO STIRRING THE OCEAN.

As mentioned before purity rituals are very important in Shinto. Priests preside over purification ceremonies for events such as the ground breaking: According to tradition, before a Japanese car factory can be built abroad a Shinto priest must perform a purification ceremony. The construction of most buildings in Japan is preceded by a Shinto Groundbreaking ceremony RITUALS

SHINTO GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY

Personal purity rituals are refered to as misogi. Misogi can be performed by the layman either with ritual prayers recited while immersing one’s self in any body of cold water or just by standing under a waterfall. PERSON PURITY RITUALS

MISOGI – ANCIENT AND MODERN

Every child born in Japan is added to the records of their local shrine regardless of religious affiliation. This list guarantees that when the individual dies they will become a family kami (a.k.a. ujigami) and join their ancestors and local community members who have passed before them. Those who die without their name on the list are called water children and become restless and sometimes angry ghosts, that make trouble for the living. Names can be added to the list later in life and without consent of the individual. THE AFTER LIFE

EMPEROR HIROHITO’S TRADITIONAL SHINTO FUNERAL PROCESSION

Anyone can pray at a Shinto Shrine regardless of belief. Walk to the Torii (chapel) and bow before entering. Wash your hands left first, then right, sometimes your feet, then rinse your mouth but don’t spit water back into the basin. If there is a bell you can ring it before your prayers; its customary to leave a small donation 5-10 yen; normally there 2 bows, then 2 claps. On the second clap you keep you hands together in front of your heart give a closing bow after your prayers. EVERYDAY PRACTICE

SHINTO PRIESTS, PRAYERS, AND SHRINE

Jinja (a.k.a Shrine) Shinto: This is the original orthodox form of Shinto, most shrines are members of the Jinja Honcho (the Association of Shinto Shrines). Koshitsu Shinto (The Shinto of the Imperial House): Very similar to Shrine Shinto this form is only practiced by the Emperor. Most important in this form is the ritual offerings to the Gods Kyoha (Sectarian) Shinto (a.k.a Shuha Shinto): 13 Sect make up thi type of Shinto each sect has it’s own beliefs some bordering on Monotheism Minzoku (Folk) Shinto: While this isn’t a formally recognized separate Shinto tradition it represents the local, rural and village Shinto traditions which vary by region. Villages choose a resident who is responsible for honoring the local gods. FOUR TYPES OF SHINTO PRACTICE

While there is no central “holy book” definitively describing Shinto tradition, there are a few widely revered ad respected texts: The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) The Rokkokushi (Six National Histories) The Shoku Nihongi and its Nihon Shoki (Continuing Chronicles of Japan) The Jinno Shotoki (Shinto and Japanese politics and history) written in the 14th century IMPORTANT TEXTS

THE KOJIKI – RECORD OF ANCIENT MATTERS

Being an active Shintoist does not prevent one from belief in any other religion. (This is common to many Asian regions where pantheism or polytheism was common.) Separation of Shinto from the state and political life did not happen until World War II. The last Emperor was forced by the United States military to renounce his divinity as a part of surrender. Shinto has no real founder, no written scriptures, no body of religious law, and a loose organization of priests. The concept of Kami permeates Japanese popular culture INTERESTING SHINTO FACTS