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Shinto
Shinto (“The Way of the Gods”) is the native religion of Japan. Originally it did not have a name and was a combination of local agricultural and other cults that co-existed with beliefs into magic, werewolves, etc. The term Shinto appeared when Buddhism began to spread in Japan and the differences between the two religions became noticeable. Shinto penetrated all aspects of the ancient Japanese society and emphasized its cognate-family structure. Worshipping of family and tribe spirits (udzigami) and various patron deities (kami) played the most important role in Shinto. Shinto also worships natural phenomena, water, rocks, mountains, the sky, ancestors’ spirits and historical figures, real and mythological beasts. Shinto has developed mythology, according to which the Japanese archipelago was born by the divine couple of Idzanami an Idzanagi: they are worshiped as forbear gods.
The Emperor’s dynasty originated from the sun goddess Amaterasu-no oomikami, the supreme deity in the Shinto pantheon. Until 1947 Emperors of Japan were worshiped as earth deities and the supreme Shinto priests. Shinto has strictly divided spheres: everyday ritual Shinto, sect Shinto and state temple Shinto. There are a great number of Shinto sanctuaries and shrines scattered around the country; the largest of them are Ise, Izumo, Kumano, Kasuga, Itsukushima, Yasukuni, Meiji, etc.
At present most Japanese people view Shinto primarily as a fount of ancient customs that must be kept to preserve their national tradition. Buddhists, Christians, followers of other religions and even atheists – all Japanese follow Shinto traditions.
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Shinto priests at altar.
Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent. |
Shinto priests at altar.
Japan. The Japanese. Late 19th cent. |
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Portrait of man in Shinto priest costume.
Japan. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.
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Shinto priest.
Japan. The Japanese, mid-to-late 19th c.
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Praying in Shinto temple. Parents pray for successful passing of entrance examinations by their children.
Japan. The Japanese.
Kupin K., 2002
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Kagura performance at Shinto temple.
Japan. Nara . The Japanese.
Sokolov A.
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Gates in Shinto temple dedicated to Ebisu.
Japan. Kobe. The Japanese.
Maykova N., 2006
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A temple.
Japan. Tokio. The Japanese.
Maykova N., 2006
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Shinto alter "camidana", Japan |
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