1. Shinto: The Way of the Gods Global History I: Spiconardi

2. Origins Animistic Religion Animistic Religion Indigenous to Japan  practiced nowhere else in the world Indigenous to Japan  practiced nowhere else in the world Evidence suggests the religion surfaced in the 500s BC Evidence suggests the religion surfaced in the 500s BC Unnamed religion until introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism to Japan from China Unnamed religion until introduction of Buddhism and Confucianism to Japan from China

3. Beliefs Kami  gods or spirits Kami  gods or spirits – “from food to rivers to rocks”  spirits that relate to nature and objects All things have spirits; both natural & manmade All things have spirits; both natural & manmade – Guardian Kami  Protectors of particular areas and clans – Kami of Exceptional People  former emperors

4. Beliefs Divine Origin Divine Origin – Japan and its islands are believed to be the children of Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no- mikoto – The kami Amaterasu Omikami (Sun goddess)is the ancestress of the imperial family – Divine Right  All emperors were descendants of Amaterasu (believed until US made Japan revoke that belief in 1946)

5. Beliefs The Four Affirmations The Four Affirmations – Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main preservers of tradition – Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits. – Purification: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often. Evil exists in the form of uncleanness Evil exists in the form of uncleanness – Wounds in battle, contact with dead bodies, illness, etc. – "Matsuri": The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.

6. Impact on Japan 110 million followers of some aspect of Shinto 110 million followers of some aspect of Shinto – Only 3.4 million solely follow Shinto – Most mix Buddhism and Shinto Nationalism  loyalty to and pride in one’s people Nationalism  loyalty to and pride in one’s people – Japanese were divinely chosen – “Land of the Rising Sun” Artwork  Origami  “paper of the spirits” Artwork  Origami  “paper of the spirits” – Out of respect for the tree spirit that gave its life to make the paper, origami paper is never cut.