Shinto Religion: Background Information Matthew Ripley-Moffitt Cary Academy

        Shinto is the traditional religion of the island nation of Japan.  The beginnings of Japan are explained in the Shinto mythology.  The first divine beings, Izanagi and Izanami, created Japan as their image of the perfect world.  The generally mild climate, vast biodiversity of flora, wealth of the seas and imposing geography are earthly evidences of this island paradise.  The first couple sent later generations of gods and goddesses to rule the islands.  The Sun Goddess Amaterasu was the first among the spirit-rulers, and all subsequent Emperors trace their lineage to her.  The sword and mirror-shield of her brother, Susano-no-mikoto, are two of the three gifts given to leaders of the Yomato clan as signs of their status as Emperor.

        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 China and Korea.  Nature purity and tranquility are stressed in the beliefs and practices of Shinto.  It is said that in the world of the ancient Japanese, “myriad spirits shone like fireflies and every tree and bush could speak.” (Watts, Paul. Shinto and Buddhism: Wellspings of Japanese Spirituality.)  Nature is everywhere and throughout the expression of divine power.  The Kami controls the power of nature.  The power of nature can only be brought into one’s favor by seeking the blessings of the appropriate Kami.  The main reason for Shinto celebration and practice is to experience the beauty and riches of the world.

        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.

        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.

        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.

      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.

        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

Design a Shinto Festival

Assigned: Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Due: Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Based on what you know about the Shinto religion, design a Shinto festival that would be celebrated in Japan. Re-read your handout for the correct vocabulary words and for ideas. Pay attention during the two in-class presentations for information and ideas about Shinto, temple architecture, and why Shinto is essential to the character of Japanese people. First answer the pre-writing questions in bullet point form, and then create your diorama visual display of your festival. On Monday and Tuesday, April 7 and 8, you will have class time to complete the written portion of your project. The written portion will be a detailed, creative description of your newly designed Shinto festival.

Pre-Writing Questions: (to be answered in bullet point details by Monday, April 7)

• What is the point of this festival? What are you celebrating?

• What time of year would the festival take place?
• What would people dress like, and why?
• What would people eat during the festival?
• What kinds of offerings would be made, and to whom would they be made?
• Where would it take place? (type of geographic setting, or particular temple setting)

Diorama Requirements: (to be completed and brought to class on Monday, April 7)

• Use a regular size shoe box
• Painted appropriate background scene
• Create a shrine and appropriate nature setting with torii gate
• Place human figures in the scene (pipe cleaners / Popsicle sticks, clay)
• Create appropriate dress from paper or cloth

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 7^th and 8^th.