User:Owlsmcgee/Shinto notes

This page contains cited notes for future incorporation into the Shinto article.

Definitions

 * "enduring indigenous religion"
 * "animistic nature worship"
 * Kuroda Toshio: Shinto in the History of Japanese Religion, Journal of Japanese Studies, 1981, vol. 7:1: Asserted Shinto was molded by its interactions with Buddhist and Chinese thought, rather than being a "pure" Japanese religion. Suggested that the Edo and Meiji interventions from Japanese nativists is what established the contemporary form of Shinto, at odds with claims of its "traditional" origins. (Described by Nakai)
 * John Breen and Mark Teeuwen, A New History of Shinto, contrarily show that many of the "kami, shrines, myths and rituals" seen in contemporary Shinto do pre-date the sixth century introduction of Buddhism to Japan.
 * Notably, these beliefs were not unified under the term "Shinto" until reforms in the Meiji era, though the term was used in the {{Nihongo|Chronicles of Japan||Nihon Shoki} during the 8th century. Before that, the terms "honkyo" or "hongaku" were preferred.
 * Shinto is not a "religion" in a Western sense of the word.
 * Shinto was not well known as a term or as a united set of beliefs until the end of the 19th century.
 * "The indigenous faith of the Japanese people."

Types

 * Popular Shinto, Domestic Shinto, Sectarian Shinto, Imperial Household Shinto, Shrine Shinto, The Grand Shrine of Ise, State Shinto.


 * Shrine Shinto (神社神道) is the oldest and most common form, with nearly 200,000 shrines at the end of the 19th century. Shrine Shinto was largely disseminated as families and clans relocated throughout Japan. As the Meiji Restoration sought to consolidate control over Shinto shrines, the state introduced a "Shrine System," ultimately reducing the number of shrines to 120,000. Today, there are about 80,000 such shrines.


 * Imperial Household Shinto (皇室神道) describes the Shinto practiced on shrines used by the Imperial family. These ceremonies are carried out in accordance to their documentation in 1908. A handful of these ceremonies are performed by the Emperor.


 * Folk Shinto (民俗神道) or Popular Shinto refers to the set of haphazardly documented traditions and spirits dispersed throughout small local shrines.


 * Sect Shinto (教派神道) refers to the 13 groups that were isolated from what was later called "State Shinto" under the Meiji government. While those organized around state-sanctioned practices were under the authority of a state agency, the others were isolated under different government management.


 * State Shintō (国家神道) was a term introduced by the American occupation to describe the state cult created by Imperial Japan.

Central texts

 * Shinto has no real set of doctrines, scripture or founder.
 * Nonetheless, several books are formative in the history of Shinto, or reflect a set of Shinto beliefs. These books are The Kojiki, the Nihongi (or Nihon Shoki), the Kujiki, Kogoshui, and Engi Shiki. These texts are not considered to be scripture, but are instead a historical document that preserves the formation myths central to Shinto traditions.

Kojiki
(See main article: Kojiki)

The Kojiki, or "Record of Ancient Matters," is the oldest book of Japanese history, and encompasses the origin myths of Japanese history and Imperial Family beginning from 628 BC.

Nihongi (or Nihon Shoki)
(See main article: Nihongi)

The Nihongi, or "Chronicles of Japan," discusses events up to 697 BC. Some of the stories in the Nihongi are more detailed, but contradictory, to the stories of the Kojiki (and even within its own tellings of events).

Kujiki
(See main article: Kujiki)

The Kujiki, or "Chronicle of Ancient Events," states that it is the earliest record of Japanese historical events, but this is disputed by scholars.

Engi Shiki
The Engi Shiki, or "Detailed Laws of the Engi Period," documents early prayers, rituals and practices of Shinto priests.

Kogoshui
The Kogoshui was written in 807 BC.

Kami

 * Kami are best understood as distinct instances of musubi, that is, the life-giving force that permeates and binds man and nature.
 * The term describes this essence in particular or collective examples found in natural, but unusually beautiful, strong or otherwise remarkable, phenomenon. This extends to any aspect of the natural world, which includes humankind: trees, rocks, rivers and the sea may possess kami; so might weather, animals, birds, and insects, and also heroic figures in history such as the Imperial family.
 * Kami is also applied to that which represents "growth, fertility or production."
 * All things have the potential to be kami.
 * Kami is often translated into a Western concept of "Gods" or "spirits," but scholar Takeshi Matsumae suggests there are differences. Kami, he says, are not omniscient or immortal.
 * Kami are thus best understood not as "countless gods, but countless phenomenon" which can inspire awe.
 * Though Kami is often translated as "gods," many scholars disagree with this definition.
 * Kami is an honorific term of speech for spirits. In Shinto, everything has a spirit, and therefore everything is a potential kami.
 * Kami are said to encourage and reward efforts to sustain cooperation between people, and between humans and nature.

Ujigami

 * Ujigami, or "clan" kami, are protector spirits of families in Japan. It increasingly refers to protector spirits of a region, such as a town or city. The connection to these kami is often felt as a lineage, however, and residents of towns will return from away to pay tribute to these kami in their hometown shrines.

Musubi

 * In Shinto, Musubi is understood as a life-giving, generative and creative force that binds and permeates mankind and the natural world.

Creation of Japan
Shinto is grounded in a set of beliefs tied to an original mythology story around the formation of Japan. This mythology is spelled out in a text record, the Kojiki. According the these legends, the first kami to emerge was at the Center of Heaven, "Ame-no-minaka-nushi-no-kami." This kami was followed by the spirits of growth and birth.

Descendents of these kami, Izanagi and Izanami, gave birth to the islands of Japan (and all the spirits of Japan). This couple also gave birth to the Sun Goddess, Ama-terasu-o-mikami, and the Earth god, Susa-no-o-no-mikoto. There was also a sister, the moon goddess, Tsuki-yomi-no-mikoto, who also ruled darkness. Susa-no-o-no was a troublesome spirit whose behavior caused Amaterasu to hide in a cave in anger. The spirits lured Amaterasu out of the cave with dancing. Susa was banished to earth, but curried favor with other spirits out of shame. His descendant kami, "Okuni-nushi-no-kami," or Izumo, soon became the ruler of the islands of Japan.

The sun goddess' grandson, "Ninigi-no-mikoto," was then told to descend to Earth and take charge of Japan. This authority was represented by a mirror, a sword, and jewels; he was joined by the dancing spirits who lured Amaterasu out of the cave. Ninigi-no and Izumo negotiated a compromise to rule over Japan: Ninigo-no would rule what could be seen, and Izumo would rule what could not. They both pledged to protect the descendants of Ninigo-no. The first of these was Emperor Jimmu, the first human ruler of Japan.

Impurity
In Shinto, "impurity" or "pollution" is anything that disrupts the generative life force found in nature. In Shinto terms, it is something that blocks or complicates musubi. This impurity is also a kami spirit; they are referred to as "bending," "rough" or "crooked" kami. Importantly, these kami are understood not as "evil," but as a natural corollary of musubi.

Because these kami are disruptive of life-giving musubi, they are often strongly associated with death. For example, a volcanic eruption, disease, or flood. This pollution can be moral, but is not explicitly moral; for example, some contaminating actions by men may be immoral (murder) or amoral (a natural disaster). Impure kami are said to raise anxiety, and limit or waste the life force and spirit of those who come in contact with them.

Another aspect of impurity is that of social harmony (wa). A pure body is understood to have power in social relationships and their community; while impurity disrupts harmonious relationships with others.

Impurity can be removed or prevented through active engagement in Shinto rituals.

Purification rituals
Purification rituals, also called harai, are practiced to remove corrupting influences from the mind and body. Requests are made at shrines and festivals to seek good luck, a good harvest, or to cast bad luck and/or impurities away. A goal of many Shinto rituals is to achieve a "pure" or "sincere" heart, makoto, reflected in a "unity with things," or a "communion" with the kami spirit of the natural and social world.

Purification rituals include temizu, "hand water," a symbolic rinse of the mouth and fingers, usually done before entering a shrine. A full-body submerging into water is called misogi. Priests can perform more elaborate rituals for purification involving purification prayers, and sprinkling water or salt. A larger, grand purification of the planet is a ceremony called Oharai, or "Great purification."

Shrine structure
Shinto shrines are a dwelling for kami where contact can be made, and tribute given, to curry favor. Shrines are organized in a variety of ways, but typically have a shrine sanctuary, shinden, housing the kami within a typically wooden structure. Within is a symbol of the kami, an object called the "robust spirit substitute" (mitamashiro) or the "divine body" (shintai). This is at the center of the shinden, protected by doors and curtains to prevent the object from ever being seen. This object gives the shrine its sacred status. In front of this dwelling is an platform for prayers and tribute, the haiden. This arrangement can become increasingly elaborate depending on the size of the shrine.

Shimenawa, or twisted ropes, are hung horizontally around shrines and natural phenomenon which channel musubi (that is, kami). According to a priest at Tsubaki Grand Shrine, the twisted ropes symbolize the relationships between individuals, family, society, and kami. Others say the pattern holds no special significance. These ropes can also be seen around trees at shrines, which is a common practice (and may not indicate that the shrine is the dwelling of the tree's associated kami). Vertical paper strips tied in a similar interweaving pattern can be seen at the opening of some shrines. These paper strips, gohei, is an offering. The variety of gohei visible at a shrine reflects the diversity of the kami enshrined there. If there are many kami, there will typically be a variety of gohei.

The path to a shrine, known as the sando, is often marked by tall structures known as torii gates, which is a widely recognized symbol of Shinto. These gates vary in style and number on the approach, but remind the visitor of their entrance into a sacred space. Past the sando, but before the shrine, is the temizuya, a station with water to purify the body by washing the hands and often mouth.

Priests
Most shrines have dedicated priests, however, there is an average of 5 shrines to every active Shinto priest.

Offerings
Offerings to shrines may vary depending on the kami said to reside there. Common offerings are sake, water, or foods, including rice. White animals are a traditional offering, and in some shrines live white hens can be seen wandering the grounds. Sprigs of the sakaki tree are often offered as a symbolic gift. In spirit, festival "entertainment" such as Sumo, Japanese archery, or dance is understood as an offering.

Offerings are made to an offering box on a platform outside of the main sanctuary. Some, but not all, shrines have bells, and ropes may lead down to ring them by the offering box. This bell is said by some to ward away evil spirits, while others suggest it is intended to produce clarity of mind.

When offering tribute, it is customary to offer a short bow, followed by two deeper bows; a prayer, then two deep bows, clapping of the hands, a deep bow, a slight bow, and then retreat from the shrine. This practice can vary.

Home shrines
Some Japanese homes have a room for private shrines. These home altars house ancestral spirits as well as talismans from main shrines, such as Ise. Offerings are made to these shrines on special occasions, such as birthdays of deceased relatives. Practice can also include a daily routine of purification and prayer.

Shrine history
Since 1946, the National Association of Shrines has been responsible for developing the practice of Shinto and the maintenance of shrines.

For the majority of Japanese history, shrines were community oriented spaces without organized leadership or state control. Though the Imperial Family practiced some rites, these were distinct from the folk traditions of the local shrines scattered throughout Japan. Even shrines dedicated to the same kami, or located in nearby regions, were unlikely to share any organizational ties.

The locations of shrines reflect a local kami or clan. Because they house kami, which are often manifestations of natural phenomenon, some shrines can be hidden in dense forest or remote areas, such as mountains. Just as likely, shrines will be in areas that have been rapidly developed, and some shrines are located in what are now industrial or urban centers.

Ise

 * Ise pilgrimage began in the late Edo era, and it is one of the largest religious events of the period despite Shinto's lower status at the time.
 * Ise priests served as pilgrim guides, "Oshi."
 * Ise kami were harvest spirits and visiting them was considered a coming of age ritual in many villages across Japan, which contributed to the popularity of its pilgrimages.

Festivals and matsuri

 * Matsuri is the term applied to various ceremonies and festivals dedicated to kami, primarily held in shrines.
 * Some Shinto festivals typically involve carrying a mikoshi, or large portable shrine, along the boundaries of a town or area deemed to be protected by the shrine's associated kami. The shrine is often extremely heavy and requires large groups of men to carry it.
 * Sacred feasts, naorai ("dining with the kami,") are performed after most ceremonies. These feasts can be as simple as sipping sake, or more elaborate meals which are usually jovial in spirit.

Misogi

 * Misogi is an ascetic practice.
 * An example is at Tsubaki Grand Shrine, this practice includes chanting under a powerful waterfall. This waterfall is a reminder of the spirit of nature; it is, itself, a kami. As a result, practitioners do purify themselves before entering the waterfall.

Kagura
Kagura are sacred dances, accompanied by traditional Japanese music. The dance is always directed toward the sanctuary, rather than the assembled crowd, because it is intended as a gift to the resident kami.

Mirrors
Mirrors are frequent sacred objects in Shinto, and are often at the center of shrines. Though there are often ornamental mirrors visible at Shinto shrines, these are not the sacred object of the shrine. Mirrors are symbolic of a clarity of the kami. They also suggest the mirrors used to lure Atemarasu from her cave in the Shinto creation myth. Atemerasu later told her children to worship the mirror as her spirit.

An early Shinto text, Jinno Shotoki from 1339, teaches that a mirror "hides nothing" and that it is "the source of honesty," because "everything good and bad, right and wrong, is reflected without fail."

Edo/Kokugaku (1600-1867)

 * For thirty years, Motoori Norinaga annotated and analyzed the Kojiki, transforming the collection of texts into the first approximation of Shinto "scripture."
 * In 1665, the Yoshida and Shirakawa houses were tasked with ranking Shinto shrines and priests according to age and financial contributions. The Shirakawa clan sorted Imperial shrines, while Yoshida took the significantly larger remainder.
 * The Imperial court wasn't only limited to Shinto rites, it also performed Buddhist ones. The Imperial family officially belonged to the Shingon Buddhist sect, and received Buddhist funeral rites. Accession to the throne, however, was a Shinto ceremony.
 * Branch shrines became popular in the Edo era. These shrines housed the bunrei, or "divided spirit", of the kami from the original shrine. The main shrine earned payments and pilgrims from branch shrines, which also spread word of the main shrine's practices. These branch shrines were typically overseen by a Shinto priest trained at the main shrine.
 * Pilgrimages and festivals became popular ways for main shrines to spread their teachings, and also served as a form of financial support.
 * Ise shrine emerged as a powerful main shrine under the Tokugawa shogunate. Other main shrines of this era include Kanda Myojin and Nezu Gongen.
 * Apart from branch or main shrines stood smaller, localized shrines, known as either ujigami or ubusuna shrines. These shrines were run either by local shrine guilds or by rotating male figures in the community.
 * Though scholars suggest that the general population held Buddhist and Shinto priests with equal regard, Buddhist priests were above Shinto priests in authority. Buddhist priests received better treatment in formalized events, and Buddhist priests would often perform ceremonial rites to "facilitate the salvation" of kami, who were seen as lesser spirits to Buddhas and Buddhist gods. This belief is known as the "Chonji-suijaku theory." (???)