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Shinto
Religion: Background Information
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Unlike many other religions, Shinto has no founder, no sacred text, no
developed religious philosophy , or specific moral
code. The word “Shinto” did not come into use until the Japanese needed
a term to distinguish their traditional religious practices from Buddhism and
Confucianism, which came to Japan via cultural diffusion from mainland
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The word “Kami” is often translated as “god” or “spirit”. Kami may be anything that is extraordinary in nature and inspires a sense of wonder and awe. Kami are related to things of nature, animate or inanimate – trees, streams, rocks, animals, clouds, even storms. These spirit gods and goddesses may also be guardians of places and clans. Some exceptional humans, including Japanese Emperors, are considered Kami. The role of these spirits is to give and protect life.
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Cleanliness is a major emphasis. Ritual washing, neatness and order, and personal sincerity are all ways in which cleanliness is understood. Since the earliest of days, Shinto has been the source of a code of honor and action for the Japanese people. This code stresses a gratitude and respect for living things, deep appreciation for the beauty of nature, and a preference for the simple and unadorned. Thus the lines of a raked stone garden both symbolize and become the ripples of water surrounding the large upright stone(s) in the gardens’ center. Out of respect for the lines in the garden, one treats other human beings with the greatest of respect, not knowing where the ripple effect of one’s action may encounter another human being. The tranquility of this harmony between the human, natural, and divine elements is the source and goal of Shinto celebration.
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The forms of worship celebration in Shinto are all meant to express gratitude to the Kami for what has been, and to secure their continued good favor in the future. After the sixth century CE, Shinto gradually became a religion of shrines, with set festivals and rituals, overseen by a separate priestly class. Many festivals are large community celebrations for particular parts of the year such as spring planting, fall harvest, or other special events in the history of a location or shrine. Other celebrations are performed for similar purposes on a smaller scale at home or in a neighborhood shrine.
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There are three essential elements in any form of Shinto worship. The first step is the all-important act of purification, almost always involving water. The water is poured over the hands and used to rinse out the mouth in an act of ritual washing. The second step is an offering to the kami, usually food or money. The third step is offering a prayer to the kami, of both thanksgiving and petition for the future. Music, dance, and ritual reenactment of planting, harvest, or history are often involved in the large community celebrations. The Shinto celebrations bring the Kami into the pre4sence of the daily life of the community and it’s individual citizens.
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Shinto worship may be performed in nature or in a shrine. Shrines are
often built on sites selected as the dwelling place of the respective Kami, not as structures for the worshippers. The
shrines are only made of natural materials. Many devoted Shinto
followers and priests work together to keep the shrine extremely clean and
orderly. A most important feature of the shrine is it’s
torii, or gateway of the gods. When a person
enters through the torii gate, the worshipper
leaves the finite world of nature and enters the infinite world of the powers
of the kami. While in the shrine, the
worshipper becomes purified of all dirtiness or pollution before returning to
the natural world through the torii gate. |
Mythical Lineage of Amaterasu
Assigned:
Due:
Based on what you know about the Shinto religion, design a
Shinto festival that would be celebrated in
Pre-Writing Questions: (to be answered in bullet point details by Monday, April 7)
Diorama Requirements: (to be completed and brought to class on Monday, April 7)
You can include other ideas or information I have not suggested here. Be sure that your facts are correct!
Written Description: will be completed in class on Monday and Tuesday, April 7th and 8th.
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