Beliefs and Practices
Major Characteristics Shintoism is a polytheistic religion, owing to its belief in gods and significant spirits.
It is animistic in nature, due to the Shinto concept that there are various kami influencing the world and its processes. The religion is ethnic because it focuses on ethnicity and a homogenous community of adherents. Unlike universalizing faiths such as Christianity and Islam, the Shinto religion does not actively seek converts. Instead, Shintoism is dominantly practiced by those of Japanese ancestry.
Beliefs Identifying basic beliefs of Shintoism is difficult, due to its lack of formal structure. Shintoism does not concentrate on death and the afterlife. Instead, more emphasis is placed on life and the relationship between spirits and ancestors. Shintos believe that the world is full of spirits called kami. The most significant kami is the sun, personified as Amaterasu, the sun goddess. Any object (material or non-material) can be considered a kami, such as a rock, waterfall, garden, flower, or even an idea. Shintos do not have many strict, specific guidelines to follow in life, except a concept known as the “Four Affirmations.”
The Four Affirmations The first affirmation is emphasizing family and its importance in perpetuating family traditions. The second is having a love for nature, since Shintos believe the natural world is sacred. The third is the importance of purity and personal cleanliness. Those who adhere to Shintoism bathe regularly, and wash their hands and mouths before entering a shrine. The fourth and final affirmation is the worship of kami, a concept called matsuri
Practices There are many Shinto practices and rituals that happen year-round in order to praise the kami.
Omairi Includes the customs one should execute when entering and visiting a shrine.
Kagura One of these includes a ritual dance known as the kagura. This ritual, utilizing masks, is held to both entertain and praise the kami.
Ema Plaques made out of wood onto which wishes and desires are written, then left to hang on shrine grounds. Those who facilitate this practice hope to have their wishes granted by the kami.
Harai A practice done at local shrines daily in Japan; Here, offerings like foodstuff and sacred tree branches are placed within the shrine to appease the kami.
Misogi Harai Takes place daily at Japanese Shinto shrines; this practice involves utilizing water to purify oneself.
It is animistic in nature, due to the Shinto concept that there are various kami influencing the world and its processes. The religion is ethnic because it focuses on ethnicity and a homogenous community of adherents. Unlike universalizing faiths such as Christianity and Islam, the Shinto religion does not actively seek converts. Instead, Shintoism is dominantly practiced by those of Japanese ancestry.
Beliefs Identifying basic beliefs of Shintoism is difficult, due to its lack of formal structure. Shintoism does not concentrate on death and the afterlife. Instead, more emphasis is placed on life and the relationship between spirits and ancestors. Shintos believe that the world is full of spirits called kami. The most significant kami is the sun, personified as Amaterasu, the sun goddess. Any object (material or non-material) can be considered a kami, such as a rock, waterfall, garden, flower, or even an idea. Shintos do not have many strict, specific guidelines to follow in life, except a concept known as the “Four Affirmations.”
The Four Affirmations The first affirmation is emphasizing family and its importance in perpetuating family traditions. The second is having a love for nature, since Shintos believe the natural world is sacred. The third is the importance of purity and personal cleanliness. Those who adhere to Shintoism bathe regularly, and wash their hands and mouths before entering a shrine. The fourth and final affirmation is the worship of kami, a concept called matsuri
Practices There are many Shinto practices and rituals that happen year-round in order to praise the kami.
Omairi Includes the customs one should execute when entering and visiting a shrine.
Kagura One of these includes a ritual dance known as the kagura. This ritual, utilizing masks, is held to both entertain and praise the kami.
Ema Plaques made out of wood onto which wishes and desires are written, then left to hang on shrine grounds. Those who facilitate this practice hope to have their wishes granted by the kami.
Harai A practice done at local shrines daily in Japan; Here, offerings like foodstuff and sacred tree branches are placed within the shrine to appease the kami.
Misogi Harai Takes place daily at Japanese Shinto shrines; this practice involves utilizing water to purify oneself.