Shinto: Way of the Kami Essay

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Shinto
Anthony Pisciotto
REL/133
February 2nd, 2015
Jerry Nwonye Shinto
Shinto, composed of two ideographs, literally means the "way of the kami." Although kami can be translated as gods or deities, it also refers more generally to spirit-beings, the supernatural, or to a sacred quality in which an individual can even participate” (Yamamoto PG 2028).Shinto is revered within Japan and is Japan’s original religion and way of life. Shinto pushes belief in nature and that the world and humans are a singular being. Shinto is still very much a part of Japan’s culture and shrines can be found even in bustling cities. Shinto practices are still followed today. Those include worship at shrines, celebration of the New Year, and observances of the seasons and nature.
Shinto’s origin and founder are unknown. It is understood that Shinto followers have a strong relationship with nature and hold their ancestors in high regard. All these things come to the forefront when practicing their rituals and beliefs. One of them is traveling to shrines to worship or worshipping in their homes. This is a practice that survives in Japan to this day. “Most Shinto rituals take place either in the home or the jinja (shrine). Traditionally, homes in Japan would have a small replica of a shrine (kamidana) set up in a niche near the ceiling, beside the main pillar (daikoku-bashira) of the house. These kamidana were supposed to be cleaned daily, and offerings of water, wine, food, and salt placed before them.”(Ashkenazi PG 184). Visiting shrines and paying respects is a part of Japanese culture. Yamamoto tells us that these practices and rituals shape the lives of a great number of Japanese families.
“Shinto belief and practice continue and exert their shaping influence upon attitudes and values of many Japanese” (Yamamoto PG 2030). Even with the growing modernization and western influence within Japan. The Japanese people still retain their devotion to Shinto and a unique way of life to Japan. Through all the cultural changes the practice of celebrating the New Year still is relevant. There is no official holiday calendar but shrines and temples are open during the New Year and these festivals called matsuri. These festivals celebrate Shintoism and the kami. Many festivals have figures that are created and paraded down the streets to celebrate and pay homage to the kami. Also, people clean their houses to accept the spirits into their home and decorate their main door to invite in the spirits. The New Year is a time of celebration and can be a huge tourist attraction as well for the people of Japan and Shintoism.
Within Shinto there is a great importance on the relationship between nature and human. Shinto believes that God is in nature and when you become one with nature you can see and feel God. ”Shinto practice is the climbing of a sacred mountain to gain union with the spirit of that mountain. The climb up Mount Fuji, for example, is something that many Japanese hope to accomplish at least once in
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