What is Shinto?
The “Spirit Way” (shin-to)
Ancient, indigenous, mythical, nature
religion of Japan
More 1500 years old
No founder – An “ethnic” religion of the
Japanese people
The root and embodiment of Japanese
culture
Shinto Mythology
Two main texts:
Kojiki (myths of ancient times, origins of gods and
man)
Nihonji (ancient history of Japan)
Of gods & goddesses: The Kami
Polytheistic
Nature deities – represent and control natural
elements and forces
Creation myth – Japan as the center of the
world
Shinto Mythology
Izanagi (“male”) &
izanami (“female”)
(brother & sister)
create the islands of
Japan
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
Jinja (shrines) - Tens of thousands
located throughout Japan
Natural structure, fits in with natural
surrounding
Torii – entry gate, separates sacred from
profane space
Rituals presided over by priest
Household shrines – kamidana
(kami shelf)
State Shinto
Meiji period (1868) – 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
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
NGOs
Many founded in 19th century
Specific founders and texts
Unique teachings and practices
Some combine Shinto with influences
from Buddhism or other religions
The Four
Affirmations
Tradition and Family
Love of Nature
Physical cleanliness
Matsuri: festivals that worship and honor
the Kami
Shinto Practices
Tradition and Family
Life cycle celebrations take place at shrines:
Newborn’s first visit to shrine
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 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/CREA
T.HTM
Visit a Shinto shrine on-line: Tsubaki Grand
Shrine of America
http://www.tsubakishrine.com
The Shinto Online Network Association
http://jinja.or.jp/modules/pico/index.php?cat_i
d=2 (“What is Shinto?”)