Shintoism
Here is a religion that is exclusively Japanese — Shintoism. Shinto, from two kanji — shin and to, means “gods or spirits” (likewise read as kami in Japanese) and “way or path” respectively. Shintoism thus refers to “the way of the gods” (2006). The concept of the Kami or the gods is extremely varies with other religions that similarly has a concept of a god.
As to how many Shintoists are there in the world, it has been found out that the data for their population is actually “hopelessly unreliable”. One needs to be Japanese in order to learn this way of life ( 2005). Figures are no big deal. As long as one spots a Shintoist, one can fully conclude that, he is also Japanese.
The Japanese dates the origins of Shintoism to the Jomon period. In others’ eyes, it has come into being during the Yayoi period, when there has been an influx of Chinese and Koreans. They carried with them agricultural as well as shamanic rituals, which have been embraced by the Japanese (2006). Interestingly, this religion is founded by no one ( 2005). It is even nameless, initially. It has only been named just to tell it apart from Buddhism ().
To briefly state its developments, it has been practiced concurrently with Buddhism and Confucianism for centuries. After the Meiji Restoration, it has become the state religion. After her World War II defeat, it ceased to be the state religion; but the Japanese have slipped back to its more traditional position being a folk religion (2006). After all, religion and culture are distinctively mutually inclusive among the Japanese. Today, there are actually 4 main forms of Shinto traditions. Koshitsu Shinto is the Shinto of the Imperial House. Jinja Shinto is the largest Shinto group and the original form. Kyoha Shinto has 13 sects, set up by individuals in the early 19th Century, with each having its own beliefs and doctrines. Lastly, Minzoku Shinto is one that is practiced in the rural communities ( 2005).
Likewise, there is an absence of a strict written scripture in Shintoism. The Kojiki, Rokkokushi, Shoku Nihongi and its Nihon Shoki, and the Jinno Shotoki are the treasured textual epics of the Shinto religion ( 2005). Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are both written in Chinese characters (). Keep in mind, though, that the Japanese learned to write from the Chinese.
The central focus of this religion is on the mystic importance of beauty in nature and the natural order (Nasr 33). Shintoism emphasizes the search for happiness in this life. In “living a simple and harmonious life with nature and people”, there are four affirmations of the Shinto spirit — tradition and the family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and Matsuri (any festival for the Kami) (2006). These are what one should consider as the rules of the game.
While other religions have a creation story that is about or deities of the world at large, in Shintoism, the “world” is only Japan. Its creation story narrates that Izanagi-no-mikoto and Izanami-no-mikoto created the Japanese islands ( 2005). The Kami refers to the spirits who maintains the natural world order. Actually, everyone is considered as a Kami’s child, and therefore all human life and nature is sacred. Anything that is awe-inspiring and extraordinary is associated with the Kami ( ).
Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess that the Japanese imperial family trace their origins (). Amaterasu means “shining from heaven”, while Omikami means “great and exalted divinity”. She is the most revered of all Kami, but does not imply that its followers worship or summon her name for help (2006).
Shintoists’ worship of kami is practiced at public shrines, and even in small private shrines at home (2006). Before, they used to practice misogi, or bathing their bodies in a river near the shrine. Today, they only wash their hands and rinse out their mouths in a wash basins made available in the shrine grounds. Shrine ceremonies such as cleansing, offerings, prayers, and dances are dedicated to the Kami. Kagura are ritual dances to the tune of traditional musical instruments, which are performed by able dancers who are young virgin girls, a single man or agroup of men. Shintoists also have mamori or charms for various occasions ( 2005). These are just some of their rituals. It makes one think that this religion is more than religion per se. It is entrenched deeply at the heart of the Japanese culture. Most of its rituals are inspired by Buddhism and Confucianism, but the central focus has remained ().
To construct “houses” for the Kami in the form of shrines have emerged in the 6th Century. The oldest shrines are to be found in Izumo and Ise in Japan (2006). A unique architectural trait to be found in front of the shrine is the torii or the Japanese gate, which is built on two uprights and two crossbars. It signifies the delineation of the world of the Kami from the living world (2006). The shrines serve as the “altars”, by which the Japanese pay their reverence to the Kami.
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