SHINTOISM
-
Religion of the Way of the God.
|
| Shinto is the traditional
religion of Japan. The name meant
"the way of the gods." Shinto
religion is closely involved with the
landscape of Japan, and with the
ancestors of believers. Shinto ceremonies
appeal to kami, the mysterious
powers of nature, for protection and
benevolent treatment. Kami are associated
with natural features such as caves,
rocks, streams, trees, and particularly
mountains. |
| At fixed times during the
year believers gather to celebrate
community ceremonies in Shinto shrines,
but individuals often visit shrines to
mark important stages or events in their
lives. Some shrines are linked to
particular kami, for example there are
fox shrines, horse shrines, and wolf
shrines. There also certain kami which
are associated with areas, groups of
people, or with different aspects of life
such as youth or old age. |
| All Shinto shrines have a
large gate called a torii, consisting of
two uprights bars and two crossbars. The
torii can be seen standing alone in
lakes, mountains or trees and other
places associated with these mysterious
powers in nature. |
| Shinto worship is found
only among the Japanese. Many Japanese
follow both Buddhist and Shinto beliefs
and hold ceremonies in the different
traditions, depending on the occasion, so
numbers are hard to estimate. |
| The whole Japanese
landscape is central to SHINTOISM, but
Mount Fuji is regarded as the supreme
home of the gods. Pilgrims usually ascend
this snow-capped mountain on foot. |
| Shinto
literature explains Shinto mythology and
describes the laws governing the
religion, the administration of the
shrines and the order and detail of the
ceremonies. |
|
|
|
