What is Shintoism?
Shintoism is composed of beliefs and practices of Japan, meaning the way of gods. It is the main and an ancient religion of Japan, dating back to approximately 1000 B.C.E. but is still practiced today by at least five million people. The believers of Shintoism support that spiritual powers exist in the natural world. They recognize that spirits, which is called kami in japanese, live in natural places like plants, animals, rivers or even the dead.
Shintoism is composed of beliefs and practices of Japan, meaning the way of gods. It is the main and an ancient religion of Japan, dating back to approximately 1000 B.C.E. but is still practiced today by at least five million people. The believers of Shintoism support that spiritual powers exist in the natural world. They recognize that spirits, which is called kami in japanese, live in natural places like plants, animals, rivers or even the dead.
Where do Shinto followers worship?
The followers of Shintoism worship at places called shrines. They are beautiful built with a theme. Shinto priests can only access an Inner Hall since it is believed that the spirits are present. The priests are either male or female. Before entering the prayer hall, all followers of Shinto rinse and wash their hands and mouths, exercising cleanliness and purity. Once inside, the spirit is summoned with a bell and offered money or rice. After this, the worshipper bows and claps twice to welcome to kami before bowing again. To enhanced the natural settings, a special archway called a toril is marked to show a separation between the world outside from the sacred world of the shrine. There are approximately 80,000 shrines all over Japan with each shrine having a yearly festival. The festival is celebrated with food and drink and by paying respect to the kami. Worship is another important aspect of the religion. It can happen at home or work by offering prayers, tea or rice. The ancestors are also remembered during this time. |
Types of Kami
The sun goddess, Amaterasu, is the most important kami due to the belief of being the ancestor to the emperors of Japan. Her shrine is located at Ise. Inari, the rice producer, is also an important kami since rice is such an important food in Japan. Ukemochi no Kami is the goddess of food and is also sometimes identified as young woman with food or "wakaukanome." The god of food, clothing and housing is Toyuki. He is enshrined in the Outer Shrine of the Grand Shrine of Ise. Yama-no-kami: According to the popular religion, there are two types of mountain gods: (1) gods who rule over mountains and are venerated by hunters, woodcutters, and charcoal burners and (2) gods who rule over agriculture and are venerated by farmers. The god, Inari, is primarily known as the protector of rice cultivation. The god is worshipped by merchants and tradesmen, hoping to bring success. Inari is also associated with foxes, being identified with the messenger of Inari. The statues of foxes are found in great numbers both inside and outside shrines dedicated to the rice god. Inari shrines also dedicate the god by their deep red buildings, long rows of gateways or archways, and the hoshu-no-tama, which is a pear-shaped emblem surmounted by flame-like symbols. |
Shinto and Nationalism
The legend of Shinto revealed that the emperors of Japan are directly related to the first Emperor, Jimmu Tenno, Amaterasu-Omikami's great-grandson. The people themselves are descended from the kami, which existed during the beginning of Japan. The storyline clearly states that the people of Japan came down from the founding kami, Japan is an old and prospering country, and the imperial family is descent from Amaterasu in one line. The Imperial family is older than the people of Japan and descended from a kami of higher rank. The government expresses that the religion should still be practiced and acknowledged, that its survival depends on maintaining the relationship between the Emperor and his people, and that the Emperor rules Japan because the gods want him to. Many believe this story was one myth before the Meiji Restoration and the creation of State Shinto.
The legend of Shinto revealed that the emperors of Japan are directly related to the first Emperor, Jimmu Tenno, Amaterasu-Omikami's great-grandson. The people themselves are descended from the kami, which existed during the beginning of Japan. The storyline clearly states that the people of Japan came down from the founding kami, Japan is an old and prospering country, and the imperial family is descent from Amaterasu in one line. The Imperial family is older than the people of Japan and descended from a kami of higher rank. The government expresses that the religion should still be practiced and acknowledged, that its survival depends on maintaining the relationship between the Emperor and his people, and that the Emperor rules Japan because the gods want him to. Many believe this story was one myth before the Meiji Restoration and the creation of State Shinto.