The Origins of Shinto
1. What is the meaning of Shinto and when did this designation appear?
The literal meaning is “the way of the gods”. It is a form of animism which stresses the
importance of harmony between humans and nature. Its first designation was in the 1889.
2. Briefly retell the Shinto creation myth.
At the beginning of time, The heavens and the earths were mixed together in great cloud. The
cleared, lighter parts of the cloud rose up and became heaven. The heavier parts of the cloud
descended and became an ocean of muddy water. Between the heavens and the earth, a plae
green sprout began to grow. It grew swiftly and was extremely strong. When the plant’s
flower burst open, the First God emerged. This First God then created Izanagi, is the god of all
that is light and heavenly. Izanagi, whose name means "the male who invites", and his wife
and sister Izanami, whose name means "the female who invites".
3. What features are found in the creation myth that are intriguing because they reflect
Shinto values and concerns?
Trees, rivers, and waterfalls, and ocean and mountains.
The Historical Development of Shinto
What forces prompted Shinto to define itself? –The
introduction of Buddhism from China.
Accommodation with Buddhism and Confucianism
1. What were the accommodations reached between Shinto and Buddhism?
Buddhism was valued for its philosophy, help with serious illness, funeral and the afterlife.
While Shinto was associated with agriculture, fertility, and birth. Shinto shrines adopted
certain Buddhist practices and Chinese architectural details. Buddhist temples often included
Shinto Shrines.
2. How did Shinto mesh with Confucian values?
Confucianism was more easily incorporated with its veneration of ancestors
and emphasis on family and clan loyalties. Shinto came to reinforce Confucian values
of respect for the emperor, care for juniors, self-discipline, and love of learning.
Shinto and Japanese National Identity
1. Highlight the details of the Meiji Restoration.
It was known as Japan’s modern revolution, was an extraordinary transformation that
projected a politically disintegrating, isolated nation into a world power within the course of
three decades. During this time no foreign ideas were let into the country which caused Japan
to be more of an ancient civilization compared to the rest of the world. Once emperor Meiji
took over, Japan immediately started to bring in foreign thoughts, machines, factories, etc. By
middle of the Meiji period, Japan had surpassed may other countries in technology.
2. Differentiate State Shinto from Sect Shinto.
State Shinto refers to the brank of Shinto which by the official actis of the Japanese
government had been differentiated from the religion of Sect Shinto and has been classified a
non religious cult commonly knows as State Shinto.
Sect Shinto refers to the branch of Shinto which by popular belief and legal commentary, and
the official acts of the Japanese government has been recognized to be a religion.
3. Why did State Shinto end?
State Shinto ended when Japan lost the war in the Pacific.
Kamikaze Pilots and Shinto
1. Who were the kamikaze pilots?
Kamikaze pilot are pilots that would attempt to crash their aircraft into enemy ships, planes are
often filled with explosives, bombs, etc.
2. What elements produced the warrior ideal of bushido?
To cultivate right behavior, to live with personal integrity, to learn politeness, benevolence and
loyalty.
Essentials of Shinto Belief
1. What is at the heart of Shinto?
Ritual rather than belief is at the heart of Shinto.
2. Explain who the kami are.
Kami are spirits, ntural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith.
3. What is the morality that flows from the Shinto system of values?
Shinto does not have a clearly defined code of ethics, but a type of morality does flow from
the Shinto System of values and its way of looking at life. The Western notion of internal guilt
is not found in Shinto. There is no moralistic God who gives commands of judges a person,
now is there a sense of original sin or on any basic sinful tendency. Instead, human being are
fundamentally good, the body is good, and this earthly life is good. Shinto worships fertility
and new life, and sex is viewed positively, without guilt.
4. Why does Shinto turn its focus away from death?
Shinto turns its focus away from death because it is thought of as the opposite of life and growth.
Because Shinto Worships the life force, it works to go against anything that bring sickness or
death.
5.
Discuss the role of washing or cleaning in Shinto.
According to Shinto we must keep our bodies, houses, and clothes clean and bright. When
they become dirty and contaminated, we must wash them, get rid of the dirt and purity them
with blessings. In Japan, washing, sweeping and cleaning has religious implications. One’s
character must be unstained, and human relationship must be kept healthy.
6. Where are the kami located and how are they to be treated?
Kamis are everywhere, even in their own homes. Living with them demands that they show them
respect. A way to show respect for nature, which is one reason for Japan’s high esteem in
farming and carpentry and for the architectural use of elements such as wood and stone in
their natural state. In order to respect nature also means maintaining a harmony with nature
and all its processes.
Shinto Religious Practice- Worship at Shrines
1. Why do people visit Shinto shrines?
People visit shrines to pray for health, success in school and career, and for the well beingof those
they love.
2. Describe the features of the shrines.
Important features of Shinto shrines the architecture and the cultivation and preservation of
ancient art forms such as Noh Theater, calligraphy and court music and an ancient dance
music that originated in the courts of Tang China.
3. Describe the actions one performs when visiting the shrine.
They wash their hands and mouth at a water basin. They bow, they donate a coin, then often ring
a bell an clap several times to gain the Kami’s attention. They boy again and pray either
silently or by chanting. They boy again and then they leave.
4. What sorts of items are considered shrine "treasures"?
Most commonly these treasurer are metal mirrors, swords, and symbolic jewel mirrors are
considered very important.
5. What functions do Shinto priests perform?
The Shinto priests perform ceremonies such as weddings, away at from the shrine. They also bless
construction sites, houses and cars as well as perform exorcisms at locations that have come
to be associated with misfortune.
Celebration of the New Year What sorts of ritual actions are performed by Shinto
followers during the New Year's celebration?
Their homes are thoroughly cleaned in order to make it attractive to the spirits. The main door is
decorated with special arrangements, decorated with green bamboo, pine, and spring of plum.
Bamboo signifies persistence, the pine freshness and life throughout the winter, and plus, the first
sign of life in early spring. And they also make special foods. Men women dress in kimono, take
offering to Shinto shrines, pray for their success for the coming years. The whole theme of the holiday
season are cleansing and the renewal of life.
Observances of the Seasons and Nature
1. How do the seasons and nature factor into Shinto?
Shinto has marked the season wwith special practices, especially the planting and harvesting rice,
because the respect for nature is tat the hears of Shinto. They sometimes place small shrines
in the middle of forests and fields.
2. What other practices do some followers of Shinto perform to achieve purification
and union with certain kami?
They do the purification with water. Another one is climbing a sacred mountain to gain union
with the spirit of the mountain.
Other Practices
1. Describe daily worship at home for followers of Shinto.
The daily worship contains a mirror and offerings are made to the small shrine at home, especially
rise and water. It is common to offer prayers at the Kamidana at the beginning of each day.
Some home also maintain an outdoor shrine in the garden.
2. How is the emperor viewed in Shinto and what duties does he perform?
The emperor of Shinto has been considered the high priest of Shinto, and his reign is inaugurated
with Shinto rites. He participates every spring in Tokyo in a ceremonial rice-planting on the
palace grounds in order to guarantee the fertility of the rice harvest for the entire nation. I le
and his family also visit the shrine of Ise annually to pray for the country.