Joaquim A.

Chissano Secondary School

SHINTO

Work done by students:

Alice Tala

Alson Macia

Ineza Jean

José Inoque

Shelton Macuacua

Teacher: da Costa

Maputo

2023
INDEX
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................1

HISTORY OF SHINTO………………………………………………………………………………………….2

ORIGENS OF SHINTO………………………………………………………………………………………...3

SHINTOGODS……………………………………………………………………………………….………...4

SHINTO BELIEF…………………………………………………………………………………………………
5

SHINTO RITUALS ………………………………………………………………………………………………

6

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………………………………7
INTRODUCTION
Shinto (literally “the way of the gods”) is japan’s native belief system and predates historical
records. The many practices, attitudes, and institutions that have developed to make up Shinto
revolve around the Japanese land and seasons and their ralation with the human inhabitants.
Expressions of Shinto beliefs toward nature include the recognition of a divine spirit (kami) in
venerable old trees, large Mountains, and tall waterfalls, as well as celebrations of the highlights
of each seasons.

(This reverence is ofter expressed by the placement of a small shrine next to the natural element
being celebrated or garlanding it with a white rope.) Traditionally, Shinto also involves
purification rites and customs to overcome the polluting effects of death and decay. However,
Shinto does not espouse a moral code, lacks relógios scriptures, and does not conceive of a life
after death.

ORIGENS OF SHINTO
Unlike many other religion, Shinto has no recognised founder. The peoples of ancient Japan had
long held animistic beliefs, worshipped divine ancestors and communicated with the spirit world
via shamans; some elements of these beliefs were incorporated into the first recognised religion
practised in Japan, Shinto, which began during the period of the Yayoi culture (c. 300 BCE – 300
CE). For example, certain natural phenomena and geographical features were given an attribution
of divinity.

Most obvious amongst these are the sun goddess Amaterasu and the wind god Susanoo. Rivers
and mountains were especially important, none more so than MT. Fuji, whose name derives from
the Ainu name ‘Fuchi’, the god of the volcano.

In Shinto gods, spirits, supernatural forces and essences are known as kami, and governing
mature in all its forms, they are thought to inhabit places of particular natural beauty. In contrast
evil spirits or demons (oni) are mostly invisible with some envisioned as giants with horns and
three eyes. Their power is usually only temporary, and they do not represent an inherent evil
force.

Ghosts are known as obake and require certain ritual send away before they cause harm. Some
spirits of dead animals can even possess humans, the worst being the fox, and these individual
must by exorcised by a priest.

SHINTO GODS
As with many other ancient religions, the Shinto gods represent important astrological ,
geographical and meteorological phenomena which are ever present and considered to affect
daily life. These gods or ujigami , were associated with specific ancient clans or uji . Unusually ,
the sun and supreme deily is female , Amaterasu. Her brother is Susanoo , the god of the sea and
storms .The creator gods are Izanami and Izanagi , who formed the islands of Japan . From
Izanagi's left eye was born Amaterasu while from his nose sprang Susanoo. From the god's right
eye Tsukuyomi , the moon god was born.
Susanoo and Amaterasu battled with each other following Susanoo's disgraceful behavior .
Amaterasu hid herself in a cave , darkening the world , and the god's could not tempt her out
again despite off
and Izanagi , who formed the islands of Japan . From Izanagi's left eye was born Amaterasu
while from his nose sprang Susanoo. From the god's right eye Tsukuyomi , the moon god was
born.
SHINTO BELIEFS
SHINTO RITUALS
Jichinsai-Ji Matsuri

Jichinsai are ceremonies held before the construction of a building (business or private ) in Japan.
The aim is to purify the ground , worship the local kami and pray for safety during construction.

Norito

Norito are Shinto ritual prayers that are addressed directly to the kami during formal ceremonies.
They are recited by a priest on behalf of the worshippers. The norito are spoken in formal
Japanese phrases of great beauty.Shinto believes that certain words have spiritual power if
properly spoken , and this style of language is used because of a belief that using these
"beautiful", 'correct' words will bring about good. During the state Shinto period formal prayers
were laid down by the government , but priests can now use any appropriate prayers-or can
compose their own.Norito include the yogoto , which is a blessing specifically for the
preservation of the imperial reign.

Typical ritual

The conventional order of events in many Shinto festival rituals is as follows:

1.Purification – this takes place before the main ceremony;

2.Adoration – bowing to the altar;

3.Opening of the sanctuary;

4.Presentation of food offerings (meat cannot be used as an offering);

5.Prayers (the form of prayers dates from the 10th century CE);

6.Music and dance;

7.Offerings – these are symbolic and consist of twigs of a sacred tree bearing of white paper;
8.Removal of offerings;

9.Closing the sanctuary;

10.Final adoration;

11.Sermon(optional);

12.Ceremonial meal(this is often reduced to ceremonial sake drinking);

Conclusion

Bibliography