Title: _____________________________________
The most obvious Shinto element that could be found in Hayao Miyazaki’s Sen to
Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away in the English release) is the belief in a vast
pantheon of kami, which could be more accurately called Divine spirits rather
than gods. These kami are often associated with particular objects in nature,
something also shown in the animated movie (example include the Daikon-kami,
the river god and Haku). In Shinto mythological hierarchy, the kami occupy the
top tier, with everything else just beneath them. This is very much evident in the
anime’s kami – bathhouse scenario, where they are treated as costumers
(Miyazaki also deserves to be commended for taking advantage of the Japanese
dedication to serving costumers). Particulars of Shinto divinity are also shown,
such as the distinction between kami and mortals, and how they are not
supposed to even eat one another’s food.
Being in the bathhouse, another distinctly Shinto concept is revealed, that
of kiyome (purity) and kegare (impurity). On the most graphic level we see this in
the scenes concerning the river god, who enters the bathhouse filthy and being
the object of all the other characters’ disgust. The viewer sees this god’s transition
from that state to the state of purity in a most cathartic way.
In this graphic representation of these concepts, the symbol of water plays a
prominent role. Many of the characters (all of whom are kami) are related to
water, and all of them are agents of purification. The very nature of the
bathhouse shows the archetype of water as an agent of purification, an archetype
made most evident in the contrast between water and the river god’s sludge.
It should be noted that impurity in Shinto is not a negative presence of something
bad but a negative absence of something good, a belief which is converse to the
western conception of the purity-impurity dichotomy. This theme is most evident
in the symbol of water, which, as purity, is present and tangible and not merely
the absence of filth. The difference of understanding in the Shinto sense to that of
the western is seen in the growth of the giant baby, who is kept “clean” in the
western sense of the idea (and who is even cloistered in a European themed
room) but who is in character quite “unclean,” lacking any sympathy. “Purity”
therefore is not removing something negative, not merely “sterility,” but gaining
something positive, in the baby’s case, experience.
But perhaps most importantly, Spirited Away’s most distinctly Shinto element is
its main theme, the harmonious co-existence between nature (personified in the
spirit of the kami) and man. The two need one another, nature to help man
gain kiyome, man to help nature maintain it. For the first case, we see this in
Chihiro’s and Haku’s interactions, most evidently when Haku (a kami) feeds
Chihiro a piece of the kami’s food (which, being of the world of kami, is pure). By
eating the food, Chihiro “gains” presence. On a more subtle level, her growth as a
character is greatly influenced by the kami around her: she develops politeness
because of the Daikon-kami, thoughtfulness and commitment to duty because of
the River God, and courage because of Haku. Her achievement of the virtue of
purity is such that, when we see her hold on to her mother as they come of the
passage at the end of the movie we realize that the act has gained a more positive
meaning: far from cowering behind them, she is now wary of protecting her loved
ones. The second case is evident in how Chihiro helps the kami in the bathhouse.
She helps the river god purify himself, she helps no-face acquire friends, she helps
Haku remember his name and she helps the giant baby gain experience.
In Spirited Away we now see that spirituality in the Shinto sense of the term
involves an intimate connection with nature. The movie’s message that spiritual
development is key to addressing environmental crises therefore would
necessarily make sense.
Skimming: Read the first sentence of each paragraph. From that information only, write a title
for this article. You have one minute…go!
Scanning: Read the following questions first, and find only the answers in the text.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
What is the Japanese title of the movie?
What aspect level of the Shinto hierarchy do kami occupy?
What are kiyome and kegare?
What does water symbolize?
What did the baby need to gain to become pure?
What is the main theme of the movie according to the author?
How does Chihiro help the various characters?
Comprehension and Reflection
1. How does the setting of the bathhouse reflect Shinto beliefs?
2. The author claims that water is an archetype for purification. Do you agree?
Explain your answer.
3. How are the concepts of purity and impurity in Shinto different from
western concepts?
4. The author suggests that in Shinto, humans and nature have a reciprocal
relationship. That is, they need each other. Explain how this idea is shown
in the film through Chihiro’s character development.