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Shinto: Japan’s Traditional Religion
Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion which started
about 500 BC. It is based on the worship of the
spirits of nature and family, known as the Kami
(deities). It did not even need to be identified with a
specific name until Buddhism spread to Japan during
the sixth century CE. Its name was derived from the
Chinese words "shin tao" ("The Way of the Gods").
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Shinto does not have a founder and is not
an organized religion with leaders.
Shinto does not have written scriptures or a
sacred book.
Shinto was established as the official
religion of Japan.
children became the deities of the various Japanese
clans (extended families)
The Kami are the Shinto deities. The word “Kami” is
generally translated “god” or “gods”. However, the
Kami bear little resemblance to the gods of
monotheistic religions. There are no concept which
compares to the Christian belief in the wrath of God
and the Kami are not all-powerful or all-knowing.
There are numerous types of deities who take many
forms:
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As a response to the arrival of Buddhism in the 6th
Century, the sacred stories of Japan’s indigenous
religions were collected in the Kojiki – Chronicles of
Ancient Events. Not much is known about Shinto
before these stories were collected.
In Shinto, the Emperor is declared “sacred”. Unlike
the Pharaoh of Egypt, this does not make the
Emperor the head of the religion. Instead, the
emperor is one of many different spirits the
Japanese worship.
Shinto creation stories tell of the history and lives of
the “Kami” (deities). Among them was a divine
couple who gave birth to the Japanese islands. Their
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Those related to natural objects and
creatures, from “food to rivers to rocks”.
Guardian Kami of particular places and
people.
Exceptional people, including all but the last
of the emperors.
Buddhism first arrived in Japan from Korea
and China during the 6th through the 8th
centuries CE. The two religions share a basic
optimism about human nature, and for the
world. Within Shinto, the Buddha was
viewed as another “Kami”. Meanwhile,
Buddhism in Japan regarded the Kami as
being manifestations of Buddha
Shinto does not have its own moral code or religious
laws. Shinto followers often adhere to the code of
Confucianism. All human life and human nature is
sacred. Believers in Shinto desire peace.
1.
When and why did the Japanese people name Shinto?
2.
Name two ways that Shinto is different from Western religions like Christianity and Islam.
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3.
How is the Emperor of Japan like the ruler of Egypt and how is he different?
4.
What does Shinto share with Buddhism? What does it share with Confucianism?
Buddhism:
Confucianism:
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Map of Japan
Mongols
Sea of Japan
Korea
Japan
Yellow River
China
Yang Tze River
East
China
Sea
Pacific
Ocean
1. Circle the name of a nomadic group on the map.
2. Put a square around the name of the River that was the birthplace of Chinese
civilization
.
3. China and Japan were both ruled by an ____________________.
4. The Chinese emperor had to be a kind ruler to his people because he had to follow
the Mandate of _________________.
5. Draw a star next to the name of the country that received its culture from China
through cultural diffusion.
2