BasicsLoosely organized native religion of Japan- not originally defined or named, just practicedShrine worship- worship of kamiGreat variety, multitude of religious and cultural practicesSome aspects of Japanese nationalismAnimism and ancestor worshipTerm Shinto developed in 6th century BCE to distinguish from other religionsShen tao or kami-no-michi = the way of the godsAspects of Japanese folk religionsCan be described as an indigenous or folk religionWorship of deity tabletsTabooing of certain dates/directsBelief in spiritsWorship of natural objectsKami of fields and mountiansDivination- predicting the future (reading tea leaves or cracks in a tortoise shell)Oracles- people who can see the future; linked to shamanismKamiTranslated as god/gods, but this is limited“Whatever seemed strikingly impressive, possessed the quality of excellence and virtue, and inspired feelings of awe was called Kami”Reflected in natural forces (wind, rain, mountains, etc)People after death become ancestral KamiPractice faith by performing rites and rituals to Kami, they have power to influence good and bad things in human lifeJinjaBlanket term for “shrine”; came out of outdoor practice of rites; area that usually included a nice rock or tree and was roped offOver time, Buddhist altar worship influenced Shinto Jinja practice; idea of enshrining the Kami in a building became more prevalentJinja are set in natural environment and the construction reflects simplicity and purity; are harmonious to natural environmentObjects used for worship are generally a mirror or HeihakuHeihaku- paper/cloth strips attached to a stand (like a streamer)Shrines vary by “type” of Kami and localityJapanese MythologyKami- natural and supernatural persons and powers worshipped in Shinto; are present everywhere in nature and in people. Had been worshipped in Japan from prehistoryInflux of writings and influence from China & Korea in 8th century CE led Japanese to record their religious drama and historyKojiki- “Chronicles of Ancient Events”- creation story involving:Izanagi- Creator GodIzanami- Creator GoddessTogether they created the world, but particularly Japan, became divine parents of other kamiFirst Japanese emperor was said to be direct descendant of KamiAmaterasu- Sun Goddess; one of the most important and worshipped kami, all Japanese emperors were said to have descended from this lineJimmu- first recorded emperor of JapanOutside InfluenceReaction to Buddhism- solidified idea of native worship as distinct religionAdvocates of Shinto recognized Buddhas and Bodhisattvas as revelation of kamiRyobu- a syncretism between Shinto and Buddhism that developed in 6th & 9th centuries CE- day to day Shinto domain, concerns for afterlife Buddhist domainDevelopment of distinctly Japanese forms of BuddhismShinto RevivalFor several centuries, Shinto was hardly distinguishable from Buddhism17th century CE- Tokugawa regime= Shinto received official supportJapan ruled by military leaders who were isolationistIn 1853, Commodore Matthew C. Perry came to Japan to insist that they open their ports for trade with the U.S.The Japanese were forced to open up trade, and after sometime, decided upon a Western style religious reform- major influx of western influenceForms of ShintoState ShintoGovernment funded and supported religion; engendered patriotism, nationalism, and loyalty to Japanese EmperorShinto holidays widely practicedWWII = decline in Shinto practice after surrender to Allies in 1945Sectarian ShintoReligious side of Shinto, outside of nationalismThese sectarian Shintoists can be divided into several categories based on the focus of their worshipFirst category: Focus on worship of mountainsSecond category: Practice shamanism and divination- healing powers and future tellingVery popular “category” of ShintoThird category: “pure” Shinto, maintained religious and mythological elements of early ShintoDomestic ShintoCommon form, takes place in homeKami-dana- “god shelf”, a place in home to put symbols, amulets, anything of religious significance to family- used like an altarUsually involves ancestors (filial piety), patron deities- families might have specific kamiUsed in conjunction with butsu-dan (Buddhist household altar)Teachings/EthicsEthical system built around maintaining community and harmonious relationships; when neglect of maintaining relationship to kami or “social norms”Purity- ablutions, purifying areas with salt (sea water is purifying)Sins- acts against social constructs (ex: festivals and ancestor worship), injury, murder, infanticide, poisoning, cursingIf one upsets kami on a large scale, monumental consequences can occurRites of purification to pacify natural forces and keep harmonyHarmonious relationships, country, family, societyAfterlifeFocus is on real lifeOnce one is closer to death, it makes more sense to focus on Buddhism, which has more of a focus on what comes after lifeSpirit remains forever (Kami is generated through this)When you are dead, and there is no longer anyone in your living family who knew you, that is when you can become ancestral KamiDifferent worlds that kami can exist in, all similar to ours but have different locationsAccess between these worlds is openFestivalsNew Year’s Festival- pilgrimage to shrines, special meal with family, new amulet for the home to protect and watch over familyBon Festival- ancestral soul’s day, honor the Kami; visit graves, special meal with familyRites of PassageHatsumiya Mode- new born brought to shrine and welcomed to Shinto communityShich-Go-Shan- Boys when 5, girls when 7; brought to shrine, receive blessingsComing of Age- 20 years old, go to shrine, receive blessingsMarriage Festival- go to shrineModern ShintoStill exists in Japan today but no longer state religionChallenges of modernization/industrialization of Japan & popularity of BuddhismMost prominent forms of Shinto are sectarian (faith healers) and domestic (home practice)Shrines and altars are still used as places of worshipBasic Chinese Religious ConceptsPolytheism- multiple gods and spirits; animistic, major, and local dietiesYin and Yang- universe operates through the twoFilial Piety- respecting family and elders; etiquette within societyAncestor worship- devoted shrinesDivination- prediction of future (tortoise shells, stalks of grain)Belief in Shang Ti- emerged 11th century BCE; closest thing to singular, powerful god in China- used Shang Ti to justify emperors