SHINTOISM
A BRIEF OVERVIEW
Shintoism dates back to preliterate Japan and originates from varied pagan rituals. Shintoism is primarily a religion of deeds rather than creeds and is structured mainly around shrine rituals. The most important stages of life are recognized at a Shinto shrine, including a baby’s first visit to its tutelary kami soon after birth, the Shichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three) festival on Nov 15th where three and seven year old girls and five year old boys go to pray for good health, and the traditional wedding ceremony. (7)
Shintoism places importance on nature, purity, and tranquility
and has no central deity as found in most western religions. There
is no unitary Shinto hierarchy with priesthood often passing from
father to son, and more recently from father to daughter. Women
are also accepted in the religion as miko (shrine maidens) who
assist the priests in rituals as well as helping to maintain the
shrine. (7)
The Four Affirmations of Shintoism
(12)
1. Tradition and the Family.
- family is the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved
- celebrated mainly through weddings and births
2. Love of Nature
- nature is sacred
- to be in contact with nature is to be in contact with the gods
3. Physical Cleanliness
- The most common form of purification is ablution (Misogi) where followers of Shintoism take baths, wash their hands and rinse out their mouths before worshiping in a shrine
4. Matsuri
- the worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits
- Kami are spirits found in every living creature, natural object, or deceased spirit which while not entirely similar, might be compared to the western idea of the soul
- Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female) are the two kami from which all else was made, however the closest thing to a 'central' spirit found in shintoism is Amaterasu the female Sun kami.
In addition to having four affirmations, Shintoism also has four main traditions.
Four Main Shinto Traditions
(12)
1. Koshitsu Shinto (the Shinto of the imperial house)
- Practiced by the Emperor mainly in devotion to Amaterasu (the female sun kami)
2. Jinja (shrine) Shinto
- largest practicing group
- in its original form closely aligned with State-Shinto
3. Kyoha (sectarian) Shinto/Shuha Shinto
- made of up of 13 sects in the late 19th century/20th century
- this division of Shintoism tends to have a cluster of worshipers around one specific diety much like western religions
4. Minzoku (folk)Shinto
- made up of rural practices and rituals
- often seen by road side shrines or tributes
While not a current recognized form of shintoism, during the 1930's Japan's government was strongly influenced by STATE SHINTO.
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