Shinto
wikipedia.org
Shinto (Kanji: 神道 Shintō) (sometimes called Shintoism) is a native religion of Japan and was once its state religion. It is a form of animism. It involves the worship of kami, which can be translated to mean "sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility". Some kami are local and can be regarded as the spirit or genius of a particular place, but others represent major natural objects and processes, for example, Amaterasu, the Sun goddess. The word Shinto was created by combining two kanji: "神" shin, meaning gods or spirits (the character can also be read as "kami" in Japanese), and "道" tō meaning "way" or "path" in a philosophical sense (the same character is used for the Chinese word Tao). As such, Shinto is commonly translated as "the Way of the Gods".
A more in depth defenition
wikipedia.org
Definition of Shinto
Shinto can be seen as a form of animism and may be regarded as a variety of shamanist religion. Shinto beliefs and ways of thinking are deeply embedded in the subconscious fabric of modern Japanese society. The afterlife is not a primary concern in Shinto, and much more emphasis is placed on fitting into this world, instead of preparing for the next. Shinto has no binding set of dogma, no holiest place for worshippers, no person or kami deemed holiest, and no defined set of prayers. Instead, Shinto is a collection of rituals and methods meant to mediate the relations of living humans to kami. These practices have originated organically in Japan over a span of many centuries and have been influenced by Japan's contact with the religions of other nations, especially China. Notice, for example, that the word Shinto is itself of Chinese origin and that much of the codification of Shinto mythology was done with the explicit aim of answering Chinese cultural influence. Conversely, Shinto had and continues to have an impact on the practice of other religions within Japan. In particular, one could even make a case for discussing it under the heading of Japanese Buddhism, since these two religions have exercised a profound influence on each other throughout Japanese history. Further, the Japanese "New religions" that have emerged since the end of the Second World War have also shown a clear Shinto influence.
Some feel Shinto was used as a legitimising ideology during the militaristic phase of Japanese history following the Meiji Restoration. Because Shinto has no absolute source of authority, some feel what was a natural expression of the beliefs of the people was hijacked by radical Nationalists, who desired to unify the Japanese people against the "inferior" people in other nations. Others wonder if the emphasis Shinto places on Japanese exceptionalism made such developments inevitable. Even today, some far right factions within Japanese society want to see a greater emphasis placed on Shinto and increased reverence shown to the Emperor as part of a project to restore Japan to its "rightful place" as the leading nation of the world. However, for most Japanese, Shinto is not about expressing disdain for other nations but expressing one's own love of the natural landscape of Japan and the people and spirits that reside within it.
Shinto can be seen as a form of animism and may be regarded as a variety of shamanist religion. Shinto beliefs and ways of thinking are deeply embedded in the subconscious fabric of modern Japanese society. The afterlife is not a primary concern in Shinto, and much more emphasis is placed on fitting into this world, instead of preparing for the next. Shinto has no binding set of dogma, no holiest place for worshippers, no person or kami deemed holiest, and no defined set of prayers. Instead, Shinto is a collection of rituals and methods meant to mediate the relations of living humans to kami. These practices have originated organically in Japan over a span of many centuries and have been influenced by Japan's contact with the religions of other nations, especially China. Notice, for example, that the word Shinto is itself of Chinese origin and that much of the codification of Shinto mythology was done with the explicit aim of answering Chinese cultural influence. Conversely, Shinto had and continues to have an impact on the practice of other religions within Japan. In particular, one could even make a case for discussing it under the heading of Japanese Buddhism, since these two religions have exercised a profound influence on each other throughout Japanese history. Further, the Japanese "New religions" that have emerged since the end of the Second World War have also shown a clear Shinto influence.
Some feel Shinto was used as a legitimising ideology during the militaristic phase of Japanese history following the Meiji Restoration. Because Shinto has no absolute source of authority, some feel what was a natural expression of the beliefs of the people was hijacked by radical Nationalists, who desired to unify the Japanese people against the "inferior" people in other nations. Others wonder if the emphasis Shinto places on Japanese exceptionalism made such developments inevitable. Even today, some far right factions within Japanese society want to see a greater emphasis placed on Shinto and increased reverence shown to the Emperor as part of a project to restore Japan to its "rightful place" as the leading nation of the world. However, for most Japanese, Shinto is not about expressing disdain for other nations but expressing one's own love of the natural landscape of Japan and the people and spirits that reside within it.
What is Animism you ask, well wiki defines that for us as well
wikipedia.org
In religion, the term "Animism" is used in a number of ways.
* Animism (from animus, or anima, mind or soul), originally means the doctrine of spiritual beings.
* It is often extended to include the belief that personalized, supernatural beings (or souls) endowed with reason, intelligence and volition inhabit ordinary objects as well as animate beings, and govern their existence (pantheism or animatism). More simply, the belief is that "everything is alive", "everything is conscious" or "everything has a soul".
* It has been further extended to mean a belief that the world is a community of living persons, only some of whom are human. It also refers to the culture or philosophy which these types of Animists live by, that is, to attempt to relate respectfully with the persons (human, rock, plant, animal, bird, ancestral, etc.) who are also members of the wider community of life.
"Animism" can refer to the religion or beliefs or philosophy of the above interpretations. It can also refer to the culture and practices related to Animism.
* Animism (from animus, or anima, mind or soul), originally means the doctrine of spiritual beings.
* It is often extended to include the belief that personalized, supernatural beings (or souls) endowed with reason, intelligence and volition inhabit ordinary objects as well as animate beings, and govern their existence (pantheism or animatism). More simply, the belief is that "everything is alive", "everything is conscious" or "everything has a soul".
* It has been further extended to mean a belief that the world is a community of living persons, only some of whom are human. It also refers to the culture or philosophy which these types of Animists live by, that is, to attempt to relate respectfully with the persons (human, rock, plant, animal, bird, ancestral, etc.) who are also members of the wider community of life.
"Animism" can refer to the religion or beliefs or philosophy of the above interpretations. It can also refer to the culture and practices related to Animism.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did you know there were different types of Shinto?
wikipedia.org
Types of Shinto
In order to distinguish between these different focuses of emphasis within Shinto, many feel it is important to separate Shinto into four related types of Shinto expression.
* Shrine Shinto is the oldest and most prevalent of the Shinto types. It has always been a part of Japan's history and constitutes the main current of Shinto tradition.
* Sect Shinto is comprised of thirteen groups formed during the 19th century. They do not have shrines, but conduct religious activities in meeting halls. Shinto sects include the mountain-worship sects, who focus on worshipping mountains like Mt. Fuji, faith-healing sects, purification sects, Confucian sects, and Revival Shinto sects. Konkokyo, although operating separately from modern Shinto, is considered to be a form of Sect Shinto.
* Folk Shinto includes the numerous but fragmented folk beliefs in deities and spirits. Practices include divination, spirit possession, and shamanic healing. Some of their practices come from Taoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism, but some come from ancient local traditions.
* State Shinto was the result of the Meiji dynasty's restoration and the downfall of the shogunate. The Meiji attempted to purify Shinto by abolishing many Buddhist and Confucian ideals; also, the emperor was once again considered divine. After Japan's defeat in World War II, State Shinto was abolished and the emperor was forced to renounce his divine right.
In order to distinguish between these different focuses of emphasis within Shinto, many feel it is important to separate Shinto into four related types of Shinto expression.
* Shrine Shinto is the oldest and most prevalent of the Shinto types. It has always been a part of Japan's history and constitutes the main current of Shinto tradition.
* Sect Shinto is comprised of thirteen groups formed during the 19th century. They do not have shrines, but conduct religious activities in meeting halls. Shinto sects include the mountain-worship sects, who focus on worshipping mountains like Mt. Fuji, faith-healing sects, purification sects, Confucian sects, and Revival Shinto sects. Konkokyo, although operating separately from modern Shinto, is considered to be a form of Sect Shinto.
* Folk Shinto includes the numerous but fragmented folk beliefs in deities and spirits. Practices include divination, spirit possession, and shamanic healing. Some of their practices come from Taoism, Buddhism, or Confucianism, but some come from ancient local traditions.
* State Shinto was the result of the Meiji dynasty's restoration and the downfall of the shogunate. The Meiji attempted to purify Shinto by abolishing many Buddhist and Confucian ideals; also, the emperor was once again considered divine. After Japan's defeat in World War II, State Shinto was abolished and the emperor was forced to renounce his divine right.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shinto Gods and Goddesses
Crimsonn_demoness_Rose
Japanese Deities
Ancient Japanese Beliefs: Shintoism is a religion based on veneration of ancestor spirits and nature. Shintoists revere kami, which are the spiritual essences (which are not really "spirits" in the Western sense) of any great things worthy of veneration; places and things like Mt. Fuji, deities, emperors, dragons, and a grand shrine would be considered kami.
Izangi and Izanami
These great gods brought into creation the world and its inhabitants. Izanami died while birthing the god of fire, and now dwells in the Land of Darkness. Izagni is a handsome man, while his once-beautiful wife exists in a decomposed state. (Too bad he's not a necrophile, eh?) =)
Domains: Death, Healing, Earth, Water
Favored weapon: spear
Symbol: rainbow
Amaterasu
Goddess of the sun and ruler of the Plane of Heaven, who lights the world and brings life and health. She also weaves the robes of the gods. Appears as a beautiful woman with a radiant smile.
Domains: Healing, Fire, Protection, Sun
Favored weapon: lance
Symbol: the sun
Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the August Star of Heaven
This ironically-titled August Star of Heaven is the god of evil. His natural form is a dark shadow that can never quite be seen, but will take human form if it pleases or suits him. He claims as his all evil people, and enjoys corrupting others and bending them to his servitude.
Domains: Evil, Death, Trickster
Favored weapon: dagger (preferably poisoned)
Symbol: silhouette of a hook-nosed man
Hachiman
The god of war, and patron god of samurai. He is splendid samurai warrior bedecked in armor, riding a huge black horse. His priesthood are special samurai/shujenka sohei (rather than the typical sohei combination of bushi/shujenka).
Domains: Strength, Healing, War
Favored weapon: samurai sword (long sword)
Symbol: samurai sword
Ho Masubi
The widely feared god of fire. He has yellow and orange skin, with bright red hair and eyes. The boar is his patron animal, and small wonder -- they are swift and destructive like Ho Masubi himself.
Domains: Destruction, Fire, Sun
Favored weapon: bow and arrow
Symbol: boar
Inari
The honorable and much-respected god of rice. His true form is that of an old man, but identifies strongly with the fox and he enjoys taking it form. He has a small following of fox hengeyokai shujenka who serve Inari by protecting rice crops and defending (rather than harassing) human communities.
Domains: Plant, Healing, Water
Favored weapon: sickle
Symbol: rice plant
Nai No Kami
The god of earthquakes, who -- after centuries of not being worshiped -- sent several massive earthquakes to the island of Japan, demolishing much of it. (Now, wisely, he is given worship.) Befitting his might, he is a huge, powerfully-built giant.
Domains: Destruction, Earth, Protection
Favored weapon: hammer
Symbol: fist smashing a building
O-Kuni-Nushi
The widely venerated god of medicine, magic, animals and heroism; also the son of Susanoo. Very honorable and good-natured. He appears as an unfailingly polite samurai warrior with a gentle smile.
Domains: Animal, Good, Healing, Magic
Favored weapon: mace
Symbol: none
O-Wata-Tsu-Mi
Also known as Shio-Zuchi, this is the god of the sea, and he rules all the kami and minor gods there. He controls fish and all creature in the sea, as well as the tides. He is massive serpentine dragon, though he sometimes takes the form of an old man with gills and webbed feet and hands.
Domains: Animal, Plant, Water
Favored weapon: trident
Symbol:
Raiden
The god of thunder, and the patron god of fletchers (those who craft bows and arrows). Raiden is a companion of Susanoo who beats his drums when the storm god rages. He has a demonic countenance, with dusky skin, huge taloned hands and horns.
Domains: Destruction, War
Favored weapons: longbow and spiked mace
Symbol: black mace crossed with lightning bolts
Susanoo
The god of storms who was punished by the gods for his insolence and idiocy; he had his beard shaved and fingernails pulled out, and thus is easily recognized. Susanoo's shujenka must brave the violent storms he sends.
Domains: Air, Destruction, Sun
Favored weapon: spear
Symbol: lightning bolt
Tsuki-Yomi
The god of moon, and also of the passage and keeping of time. He is also associated with rabbits, and is thus venerated by many hare hengeyokai. He is a massively built, but handsome, man with blue skin.
Domains: Healing, Protection, Sun
Favored weapon: naginata (polearm)
Symbol: silhouette of rabbit over full moon
MORE SHINTO:
Aji-Suki-Taka-Hi-Kone - god of thunder
Amaterasu - sun goddess
Amatsu Mikaboshi - god of evil
Ama-No-Uzume - fertility goddess
Benzaiten - goddess of love
Bishamon - god of happiness and war
Chimata-No-Kami - god of crossroads, highways and footpaths
Hiruko - solar god
Ho-Masubi - god of fire
Inari - god of rice
Izanami - creator goddess
Izanagi - creator god
Kagu-Zuchi - god of fire
Kawa-no-Kami - god of rivers
Kura-Okami - god of rain
Nai-No-Kami - god of earthquakes
O-Kuni-Nushi - god of sorcery and medicine
O-Wata-Tsu-Mi - god of the sea
Sengen-Sama - goddess of the Mt. Fujiyama[?]
Shina-Tsu-Hiko - god of wind
Shina-To-Be - goddess of wind
Susa-No-Wo - god of storms and thunder, snakes and farming.
Taka-Okami - god of rain
Take-Mikazuchi - god of thunder
Tsuki-Yomi - god of the moon
Uke-Mochi-No-Kami - goddess of food
Wakahiru-Me - goddess of the dawn sun
Sojobo - king of the tengu
Tengu - minor trickster deities
Seven Gods of Fortune
Benzai-ten or Benten - goddess of money, eloquent persuasion, and knowledge
Bishamon-ten - god of happiness and war
Daikoku-ten
Fukurokuju
Hotei-osho
Jurojin
Ebisu (also spelled Yebisu)
Ancient Japanese Beliefs: Shintoism is a religion based on veneration of ancestor spirits and nature. Shintoists revere kami, which are the spiritual essences (which are not really "spirits" in the Western sense) of any great things worthy of veneration; places and things like Mt. Fuji, deities, emperors, dragons, and a grand shrine would be considered kami.
Izangi and Izanami
These great gods brought into creation the world and its inhabitants. Izanami died while birthing the god of fire, and now dwells in the Land of Darkness. Izagni is a handsome man, while his once-beautiful wife exists in a decomposed state. (Too bad he's not a necrophile, eh?) =)
Domains: Death, Healing, Earth, Water
Favored weapon: spear
Symbol: rainbow
Amaterasu
Goddess of the sun and ruler of the Plane of Heaven, who lights the world and brings life and health. She also weaves the robes of the gods. Appears as a beautiful woman with a radiant smile.
Domains: Healing, Fire, Protection, Sun
Favored weapon: lance
Symbol: the sun
Amatsu-Mikaboshi, the August Star of Heaven
This ironically-titled August Star of Heaven is the god of evil. His natural form is a dark shadow that can never quite be seen, but will take human form if it pleases or suits him. He claims as his all evil people, and enjoys corrupting others and bending them to his servitude.
Domains: Evil, Death, Trickster
Favored weapon: dagger (preferably poisoned)
Symbol: silhouette of a hook-nosed man
Hachiman
The god of war, and patron god of samurai. He is splendid samurai warrior bedecked in armor, riding a huge black horse. His priesthood are special samurai/shujenka sohei (rather than the typical sohei combination of bushi/shujenka).
Domains: Strength, Healing, War
Favored weapon: samurai sword (long sword)
Symbol: samurai sword
Ho Masubi
The widely feared god of fire. He has yellow and orange skin, with bright red hair and eyes. The boar is his patron animal, and small wonder -- they are swift and destructive like Ho Masubi himself.
Domains: Destruction, Fire, Sun
Favored weapon: bow and arrow
Symbol: boar
Inari
The honorable and much-respected god of rice. His true form is that of an old man, but identifies strongly with the fox and he enjoys taking it form. He has a small following of fox hengeyokai shujenka who serve Inari by protecting rice crops and defending (rather than harassing) human communities.
Domains: Plant, Healing, Water
Favored weapon: sickle
Symbol: rice plant
Nai No Kami
The god of earthquakes, who -- after centuries of not being worshiped -- sent several massive earthquakes to the island of Japan, demolishing much of it. (Now, wisely, he is given worship.) Befitting his might, he is a huge, powerfully-built giant.
Domains: Destruction, Earth, Protection
Favored weapon: hammer
Symbol: fist smashing a building
O-Kuni-Nushi
The widely venerated god of medicine, magic, animals and heroism; also the son of Susanoo. Very honorable and good-natured. He appears as an unfailingly polite samurai warrior with a gentle smile.
Domains: Animal, Good, Healing, Magic
Favored weapon: mace
Symbol: none
O-Wata-Tsu-Mi
Also known as Shio-Zuchi, this is the god of the sea, and he rules all the kami and minor gods there. He controls fish and all creature in the sea, as well as the tides. He is massive serpentine dragon, though he sometimes takes the form of an old man with gills and webbed feet and hands.
Domains: Animal, Plant, Water
Favored weapon: trident
Symbol:
Raiden
The god of thunder, and the patron god of fletchers (those who craft bows and arrows). Raiden is a companion of Susanoo who beats his drums when the storm god rages. He has a demonic countenance, with dusky skin, huge taloned hands and horns.
Domains: Destruction, War
Favored weapons: longbow and spiked mace
Symbol: black mace crossed with lightning bolts
Susanoo
The god of storms who was punished by the gods for his insolence and idiocy; he had his beard shaved and fingernails pulled out, and thus is easily recognized. Susanoo's shujenka must brave the violent storms he sends.
Domains: Air, Destruction, Sun
Favored weapon: spear
Symbol: lightning bolt
Tsuki-Yomi
The god of moon, and also of the passage and keeping of time. He is also associated with rabbits, and is thus venerated by many hare hengeyokai. He is a massively built, but handsome, man with blue skin.
Domains: Healing, Protection, Sun
Favored weapon: naginata (polearm)
Symbol: silhouette of rabbit over full moon
MORE SHINTO:
Aji-Suki-Taka-Hi-Kone - god of thunder
Amaterasu - sun goddess
Amatsu Mikaboshi - god of evil
Ama-No-Uzume - fertility goddess
Benzaiten - goddess of love
Bishamon - god of happiness and war
Chimata-No-Kami - god of crossroads, highways and footpaths
Hiruko - solar god
Ho-Masubi - god of fire
Inari - god of rice
Izanami - creator goddess
Izanagi - creator god
Kagu-Zuchi - god of fire
Kawa-no-Kami - god of rivers
Kura-Okami - god of rain
Nai-No-Kami - god of earthquakes
O-Kuni-Nushi - god of sorcery and medicine
O-Wata-Tsu-Mi - god of the sea
Sengen-Sama - goddess of the Mt. Fujiyama[?]
Shina-Tsu-Hiko - god of wind
Shina-To-Be - goddess of wind
Susa-No-Wo - god of storms and thunder, snakes and farming.
Taka-Okami - god of rain
Take-Mikazuchi - god of thunder
Tsuki-Yomi - god of the moon
Uke-Mochi-No-Kami - goddess of food
Wakahiru-Me - goddess of the dawn sun
Sojobo - king of the tengu
Tengu - minor trickster deities
Seven Gods of Fortune
Benzai-ten or Benten - goddess of money, eloquent persuasion, and knowledge
Bishamon-ten - god of happiness and war
Daikoku-ten
Fukurokuju
Hotei-osho
Jurojin
Ebisu (also spelled Yebisu)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a yahoo group that may interest you
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shintoML/
