Shintoism

What does Shinto mean?

Shinto means the “way of the gods.” Shintoism is an Ancient religion of Japan and focuses on ritual practices to establish
a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past. As much as nearly 80% of the population in Japan
participates in Shinto practices or rituals.

It started at least as long ago as 1000 B.C., but practices were first recorded and codified in the written historical records
of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century. Still, these earliest Japanese writings do not refer to a unified religion,
but rather to a collection of native beliefs and mythology. Shinto today is the religion of public shrines devoted to the
worship of a multitude of "spirits", "essences" or "gods" (kami).

What do Shintoists believe?

The followers of Shintoism believe that spiritual powers exist in the natural world. They believe that spirits called "kami"
live in natural places such as in animals, plants, stones, mountains, rivers, people and even the dead. Shinto is NOT a way
of explaining the world. What matters are rituals that allow human beings to communicate with kami.

Kami are not God or gods. They are spirits that are concerned with human beings - they appreciate our interest in them
and want us to be happy - and if they are treated properly they will intervene in our lives to bring benefits like health,
business success, and good exam results.

The Four Affirmations of Shinto:

1. Tradition and the Family: The family is seen as the main force for traditions to be preserved. Main celebrations
relate to birth and marriage.
2. 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.
3. Physical Cleanliness/Purity: Shintoists take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often. Shinto
stresses purifying the unclean, such as dirt, wounds, and disease. Touching the dead is considered unclean.
4. Matsuri: The worship given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.

Who are the Shinto gods?

Shintoism is a polytheistic religion. Polytheism is the belief or worshiping in more than one god. Kami are not gods in the
Shinto religion. Many people believe they are, but there are actual godly figures.

Izanagi and Izanami are the gods of creation. They are responsible for creating the Kami and the line of emperors.
Izanagi was married to Izanami, his sister. They had many children, one of them being Amaterasu. Amaterasu is the
goddess of sun, but also of the universe. The tale of Amaterasu is that she and her two siblings painted the landscape of
the Earth and all its beauty. She married her brother, Tsukuyomi, the moon god, and they both shared the sky. But out
of nowhere, Tsukuyomi slayed the food goddess. Amaterasu was devastated and in return swore Tsukuyomi as an evil
god, splitting them up. Thus, night and day were split also. Inari, the rice producer, is also an important kami since rice is
such an important food in Japan.

Where and how do Shinto followers worship?

Shinto places of worship are called shrines and are usually found in beautiful, natural settings. The shrine contains an
Inner Hall which is only entered by Shinto priests since it is believed kami are present. Shinto priests can be either male
or female. Purity is important to Shinto followers and therefore they rinse their mouths and wash their hands and hang
up wooden tablets with prayers on them before entering the prayer hall. Once inside, the kami is summoned with a bell
and offered rice or money. After which the worshiper bows twice and claps twice to welcome the kami then bows again.
Shinto shrines are marked by a special archway called a torii. This archway is believed to separate the sacred world of
the shrine from the world outside. There are about 80,000 shrines all over Japan. Each shrine has a yearly festival in
which people pay their respects to the kami. Prayers are also addressed to family ancestors.

What are the main practices of Shintoism?

 Shrine visiting and taking part in festivals play a great part in binding local communities together.
 Because Shinto is focused on the land of Japan it is clearly an ethnic religion. Therefore Shinto is little interested
in missionary work, and rarely practiced outside its country of origin.
 Shinto sees human beings as basically good and has no concept of original sin
 Everything, including the spiritual, is experienced as part of this world. Shinto has no place for any
transcendental other world.
 Purification rites called Harae are a vital part of Shinto. They are done on a daily, weekly, seasonal, lunar, and
annual basis. These rituals are the lifeblood of the practice of Shinto. (For example, new buildings made in Japan
are blessed by a Shinto priest called kannushi during the groundbreaking ceremony, and many cars made in
Japan have been blessed as part of the assembly process.)
 Shinto has no official scriptures – most historians use their written historical records instead
 Shinto teaches important ethical principles but has no commandments.
 Shinto has no founder.
 Shinto has no God.
 Shinto does not require people to follow it as their only religion; it is usually combined within Buddhism

Why is it possible to be practice both Shintoism and Buddhism?

 Many Japanese people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism. The beliefs are very compatible and not
contradictory. Because ritual rather than belief is at the heart of Shinto, Japanese people don't usually think of
Shinto specifically as a religion - it's simply an aspect of Japanese life. This has enabled Shinto to coexist happily
with Buddhism for centuries.

What are the main holidays and celebrations within Shintoism?

 Oshogatsu (New Year) – most popular national event in Japan; people visit shrines all over the country
 Shinto Nachi Fire Festival - honors the spirit associated with the waterfall (Mikoshi) which falls from a height of
133 meters thus drawing blessings to themselves. In the festival, fire serves as a purifying force and it is present
in the huge torches which are carried by the participants and are brought close to the Mikoshi in order for the
flames to exert their purifying force on the shrine and spirit.
 Seijin-no-hi (Adult’s Day) - coming of age day, in Japan is the age of twenty. Shinto considers time and age to be
important, and therefore decisive moments are celebrated. Local town halls give presents to the year's new
twenty-year olds. Girls will often dress in kimono and take pictures which will in due course be used to introduce
them to prospective husbands according to the traditional Japanese marriage system. It is a big day for those
becoming recognized adults, full-fledged adult members of society. They also come to the shrine to seek the
blessing of the Kami on their new status.

Shinto Imagery: