1. Shintoism

2. What is Shintoism? Shinto: “The Way of the Kami” or “Spirit Way”
Ancient, traditional Japanese religion, no known founder
Mixture of ancient practices: nature worship, fertility cults, shamanism
First recorded in 8th Century in texts Kojiki and Nihon Shoki
Ethnic religion embodiment of Japanese culture
3-4 million adherents today, often mixes with Zen Buddhism

3. Shinto Beliefs
Animistic—spirits exist in everything, especially nature
The Kami—mysterious forces or spirits
Cannot be fully understood by humans
Associated with nature: mountains, rivers, trees, etc.
Each has a divine personality (gods/goddesses)
Animals serve as messengers of the kami
 “Man is kami's child“—people are given life by kami
Personal: guard mankind, respond to truthful prayers
Neither good nor bad: just are

4. Shinto Mythology Shinto Creation Myth: Japan is the center
Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess, mother of the emperor

5. Shinto Beliefs
Goal of Shinto is to live in Makoto (truth or sincerity)
Values beauty, truth, goodness, morality, purity, sensitivity, harmony
Can understand the Kami through faith and ritual
Not focused on afterlife
The Four Affirmations
Tradition & Family
Love of Nature
Physical Cleanliness
Matsuri: festivals to honor the Kami

6. Shinto Shrines Jinja: Shrines
Home of the Kami
Natural structure, fits in with natural surrounding
Rituals presided over by priest
Give offerings
Torii: – entry gate, separates the sacred from the impure space
Must wash before entering
Kami-dana: Kami Shelf, household shrines

8. Shinto Practices Ceremonies designed to appeal to Kami
Seasonal festivals
Misoji: Water purification rites
Imi: cleanliness by abstinence
Avoiding certain acts
Taboos (restrictions) placed on people or act (ex: can’t visit a shrine if a family member has recently died)
Fortune telling, amulets

9. Shinto Practices Life cycle celebrations: Newborn
7-5-3 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 rituals

10. Shinto Practices Ikebana: Flower arranging, influence of Buddhism
Origami: paper of the spirits, offered at Shrines
Haiku: poetry
Chado: tea ceremony