What%20is%20Shinto?

1
What is Shinto?

• The Spirit Way (shin-to) or The way of the
  gods
• Ancient, 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

2
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

3
Shinto Mythology
Shinto Creation Myth
Izanagi (male) izanami (female) (brother
sister) create the islands of Japan

• Amaterasu the Sun Goddess
• Mother of the first emperor of Japan

4
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)

5
The FourAffirmations

• Tradition and Family
• Love of Nature
• Physical cleanliness
• Matsuri festivals that worship and honor the Kami

6
Shinto PracticesTradition and Family

• Life cycle celebrations take place at shrines
• Newborns 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)

7
Shinto Practices

• Love of Nature
• Annual cycle of seasonal festivals
• Physical Cleanliness
• Misoji - Water purification rites to wash away
  impurity, thus restoring original purity