Shintoism or kami-no-michi was the ancient religion of Japan. It gives only one command, the necessity of being loyal to one’s ancestors. Its early aspects were naturalistic, which included spiritism, nature worship, and a sort of monotheism. Early Japanese worshipped the sun, thunder, earth, volcanoes, tigers, serpents, trees, shrubs, vines, etc. and even stones. A later stage is more intellectual and ethically oriented. The only deity actually recognized in higher Shintoism is the spiritualized human mind. For the masses, Shintoism has about 800,000 gods, mostly the sacred heroes of the Japanese. The chief god is Amaterasu, the Sun God, from whom the Imperial Family of Japan traces its ancestry. The term Shinto came from a Chinese word ‘shin tao’ which means the way of the Gods or God-like way. Shinto has no founder. Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. It traces from the Yayoi culture, which originated in the northern area of the island of Kyushu around the 3rd or 2nd century B.C. Among the primary Yayoi religious phenomena were agricultural rites and shamanism. A perfect understanding of Shinto will enable one to have proper understanding of the Japanese nation and their culture. There is neither much grand philosophy nor complicated ritual in Shintoism. Shinto is not a religion adopted by the State. It is a religion of the heart. Shinto is a natural and real spiritual force which pervades the life of the Japanese. Shinto is a creative or formative principle of life. The Shinto principle is the background of Japanese culture, code of ethics, fine arts, family and national structure.
According to Shinto theology, Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi is the Absolute Universal Self. The visible universe (Ken Kai) and the invisible world (Yu Kai) have come into being from Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi through the activities of the three deities of Musubi, Principle of Creation, Completion and the Controlling Bond between the spiritual and the material, the invisible and the visible, the real and the ideal. These contradictory attributes are functional only. The Absolute Universal Self is not affected by these contradictory attributes. Absolute loyalty to the Sovereign Emperor, who is regarded as a direct descendant and representative of the highest God, respect for ancestors, profound feeling of piety towards the parents and love for children forms the fundamental structure of Shintoism.
The mirror, the sword and the jewel have a figurative meaning in the course of the development of Shinto. They symbolize wisdom, courage and benevolence or intelligence, will and love in Shinto theology. These three are the holy signs of royalty of the Sovereign Emperor. They are supposed to symbolize the dynamic working of the Great Way and so they are found in the forefront of every Shinto shrine, popularly known as Mistu-tomo-e
Susano-o-no-Mikoto is the impetuous divine brother of the Sun-God. He is the God of rainstorm. Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto is the Moon-God. These three constitute a divine triad. They preside, respectively, over the plane of High Heaven, the vast ocean, and the night.
Beliefs
Shinto does not have as fully developed a theology as do most other religions. Their religious texts discuss the High Plain of Heaven and the Dark Land which is an unclean land of the dead. Shinto creation stories tell of the history and lives of the Kami. Among them was a divine couple, Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto, who gave birth to the Japanese islands. Their children became the deities of the various Japanese clans. Amaterasu (Sun Goddess) was one of their daughters. She is the ancestress of the Imperial Family.
Ancestors are deeply respected and worshipped. All of humanity is regarded as Kami’s descendants. Thus all human life and human nature is sacred. Believers respect musuhi, the Kamis’ creative and harmonizing powers. They aspire to have makoto which means sincerity or true heart. This is regarded as the way or will of Kami. Morality is based upon that which is of benefit to the group. Shinto emphasizes right practice, sensibility, and attitude. There are four affirmations in Shinto: tradition and the family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, matsuri (festival)
Forms of Shinto
Jinja (Shrine) Shinto is the largest Shinto group. It was the original form of the religion; its roots date back into pre-history. Until the end of World War II, it was closely aligned with State Shinto. The Emperor of Japan was worshipped as a living God. Almost all shrines are members of Jinja Honcho, the Association of Shinto Shrines. Kyoha (Sectarian) Shinto is consists of 13 sects which were founded by individuals since the start of the 19th century. Folk Shinto is not actually a Shinto sect. It has no formal central organization or creed. It is seen in local practices and rituals.
Practices
Shinto ceremonies are designed to appeal to the kami for good treatment and protection and consist of abstinence, offerings, prayers and purification. Purification, by washing with water, symbolically removes the dust and impurities that cover one’s inner mind. A traditional Japanese home has two family altars one, Shinto, for their tutelary kami and the goddess Amaterasu Omikami, and another, Buddhist, for the family ancestors. Pure Shinto families, however, will have all ceremonies and services in Shinto style. Shinto does not have weekly religious services. Some may go to the shrines on the 1st and 15th of each month and on the occasions of rites or festivals (matsuri), which take place at fixed times during the year. Shinto followers visit the shrine at their convenience; though some devotees pay respect to the shrine every morning. Shinto shrines are regarded as the home of the kami. The most important shrine building is the inner sanctuary (honden), in which a sacred symbol called shintai (“kami body”) or mitama-shiro (“divine spirit’s symbol”) is enshrined. In any case, it is carefully wrapped and placed in a container. It is forbidden to see it: only the chief priest is allowed to enter inside the inner sanctuary. A torii (gateway) stands at the entrance of shrine precincts. Proceeding on the main approach, a visitor comes to an ablution basin where the hands are washed and the mouth is rinsed. Usually he or she will make a small offering at the oratory (haiden) and pray. Sometimes a visitor may ask the priest to conduct rites of passage or to offer special prayers.
Rituals
Each Shinto shrine has several major festivals (matsuri) each year, including the Spring Festival, Autumn or Harvest Festival, an Annual Festival, and the Divine Procession. The Divine Procession usually takes place on the day of the Annual Festival, and miniature shrines (mikoshi) carried on the shoulders are transported through the town. Most Shinto festivals are observed generally in accordance with the above order. On such occasions as the Annual Festival, various special rites may be held like special water purification and confinement in shrines for devotional purposes, the procession of a sacred palanquin or of boats, a ceremonial feast, sumo wrestling, horseback riding, archery, a lion dance, and a rice-planting festival.
Praying at Shinto Shrines
In praying into the Shinto shrine, you must put your offering in the box then ring the bell once. Bow twice and clap twice while thinking about your wish and then bow once. Give monetary offering according to your desire.
Being a Shinto
You cannot actually be a Shintoist if you have no Japanese roots, because the basic principles of Shintoism came from the Japanese culture, ethics and tradition, but many foreigners practice Shinto rituals in Shinto temples all over the world. Learning the Japanese culture will help you in being a Shintoist. Practicing its rituals and festivals will also give you an idea about its beliefs and idealism. Shintoism is a part of Japanese way of life, to become a Shintoist you must also experience living like Japanese do.
References
1. Religion Facts, Shinto [Online] Available at: http://www.religionfacts.com/shinto/index.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]
2. Shintoism [Online] Available at: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/shintois.htm [Accessed 23 Feb 2010]
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