Lecture Notes: Shinto Religion and Practices in Japan

Overview

• Shinto is a religious practice indigenous to Japan with over 2000 years of history.
• The word "Shinto" wasn't widely used until the 17th century.
• Shinto features shrines, priests, gods (kami), and rituals.
• Over 80% of Japanese participate in Shinto practices, but only 3-4% identify as Shinto believers.

Shinto Creation Myth

• Chaos Origin: Heaven and Earth formed from chaos, leading to the creation of kami beings.
• Izanagi and Izanami: A divine couple who created the Japanese islands and various kami.
  • They performed rituals leading to the birth of islands and kami.
  • Izanami's Death: Died giving birth to the fire god, leading to the creation of volcanoes and other kami.
  • Yomi: Izanagi's journey to the underworld to see Izanami, resulting in purification rituals.
  • From his purification, the most important kami were born, including Amaterasu (sun), Tsukuyomi (moon), and Susanoo (storms).

Kami - The Spirits

• Definition: Shinto focuses on the worship of kami, not easily translated as gods.
• Attributes:
  • Kami can be natural forces, landscape spirits, or ancestral spirits.
  • Kami encapsulates the awe-inspiring aspects of nature.
  • They are not omnipotent but reside in natural phenomena, objects, or shrines.
  • Kami can be benevolent or malevolent.

Practices and Beliefs

• Purification (Harai):
  • Essential ritual in Shinto to cleanse spiritual pollution (kegare).
  • Rituals include washing hands/mouth, using salt, or bathing in natural water.
• Shrines:
  • Over 100,000 in Japan, from grand complexes to small roadside shrines.
  • Main structures include the honden (main hall) and heiden (hall of worship).
  • Tori gates mark the entrance to sacred spaces.
• Rituals:
  • Involve offerings, prayers, and purification before engaging with kami.
  • Common rituals include coin offerings, clapping, and bell-ringing.

Festivals

• Matsuri: Community festivals involving purification, prayers, and performances.
• Hatsumode: New Year's shrine visit.
• Nakisumo: Crying sumo festival for babies.

Shinto and Buddhism

• Historical Fusion: Shinto and Buddhism have intertwined in Japan.
  • Shinto deals with life events; Buddhism often addresses afterlife beliefs.

Historical Context and Modern Shinto

• State Shinto: Emerged during the Meiji period; nationalized and used to promote nationalism.
• Post-WWII: Separation of Shinto from the state; emperor renounced divine status.
• Contemporary Practice:
  • Many Japanese people engage with both Shinto and Buddhism.
  • Seen as a way of life, intertwined with cultural practices and the respect for nature.

Cultural Influence

• Shinto continues to influence Japanese culture, seen in films, popular culture, and respect for nature.

Additional Information

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Summary

Shinto is more than just a religion in Japan; it's deeply embedded in culture and daily life. The practices emphasize a harmonious relationship with nature and the kami, underscoring Japan's unique blend of tradition and modernity.