Transcript shintoismx

SHINTOISM
The Way of the Gods
Japan’s Official
Religion
Shinto: The Basics
 Indigenous nature-focused religion
 Incorporates a number of Japanese myths
 Early Shintoism was without name, text or dogma
 Polytheistic
 Has become highly nationalistic
Shintoism
Chinese transliteration of a phrase
created in the late 6th century CE
Corresponding term “kami-no-michi” is
translated as: “The Way of the Gods”
Kami—essential to Shinto faith.
Describes something possessing a power
that an individual does not. Can be
something physical, animate & familiar
or spiritual or inanimate.
2 Important Dates
1868:
Beginning in the last half of the 19th century,
Shintoism became formally separated from
Buddhist (Zen) practices.
It served as a vehicle for Japanese
Nationalism; strongly encouraging the use of
mythological elements to venerate the
emperor, the state, & eventually the
aggressive military policy.
EMPEROR is a god?
1. The Yamato Clan
claimed to descend
from the Sun
Goddess Amaratsu
2. Hence“Land of the
Rising Sun”
3. Until 1945,
Emperor was
worshipped as a
god.
2 Important Dates
After 1945:
Shinto formally disclaimed direct ties to the
state
Because of Allied occupation, public funds
to maintain shrines was forbidden
In 1946 Emperor Hirohito renounced his
claim to divinity
EMPEROR AKIHITO
TODAY THE EMPEROR
OF JAPAN HOLDS ONLY A SYMBOLIC
POSITION OF POWER – A
FIGUREHEAD.
Shintoism:
not your Grandad’s religion
A founder
Written Scriptures
Exclusionary patterns of worship
Rigid dogma about the nature or form of
that which is worshipped
Strict formal doctrines or bodies of
religious law
SHINTO SHRINES
Japan Borrowed and Adapted
from Chinese BUDDHISM
Japan Borrowed & Adapted
from ZEN BUDDHISM
Shinto Core Beliefs
The Affirmation of …
Family and tradition
Reverence toward nature
Physical cleanliness
Matsuri or festivals held in honor of one or
more kami
Shintoism in Japanese Culture
Kabuki Theater
An interior of a Kabuki theater.
Bunraku Puppets
Chanoyu : Tea Ceremony
Origami :
The Art of Japanese Paper Folding
Calligraphy
Haiku : 17-syllable poem
Spring departs.
Birds cry
Fishes' eyes are
filled with tears.
Matsuo Basho, Master of Haiku
Ikebana : The Art of
Japanese Flower Arranging
 Tallest  Heaven
 Middle  Man
 Smallest  Earth
Bonzai : A Unique Method of
Meditation
Japanese Garden
for Meditation
Japanese Zen Garden
Japanese Sand Garden