Shinto

Japan’s AncientReligion
Shintoism is a Polytheistic
belief that expresses love
and respect for nature.
Comparison to the “West”

•Paganism in Europe
•Many tribal beliefs in Africa
•Practices of native cultures in
North and South America
Shintoism celebrates life and the beauty
ofnature

Shintoistworship kami
 KAMI
•Kami is a general term for Shinto deities
and spirits.

•Some kami are compared to the “gods”

of the west, but are different in many
ways, too.

Kami can also be forces of nature,

important people, or even natural objects.
 KAMI
•A special rock, a large tree, or a
waterfall, can be considered Kami.
•The emperor of Japan was
considered a Kami.
 Shinto
•Unlike most other religions of the
world, Shintoism has NO:
NO
•Identifiable founder
•Body of religious laws.
•Written scriptures or Holy Text
•A very loosely organized
priesthood
The Four Affirmations of Shinto
Tradition and the family:

The family is seen as the main

force for traditions to be
preserved. Main celebrations
relate to birth and marriage.
 The Four Affirmations of Shinto
Love of nature:

Nature is sacred; to be in contact

with nature is to be close to the
Gods. Natural objects are
worshipped as sacred spirits
 The Four Affirmations of Shinto
Physical cleanliness:

Followers of Shinto take baths, wash

their hands, and rinse out their
mouth often. Shinto stresses
purifying that which is unclean, such
as dirt, wounds, and disease. Touching
the dead is considered unclean.
The Four Affirmations of Shinto
Matsuri:

The worship given to the kami and

the ancestral spirits.
• Shintoists build
shrines
dedicated to
specific kami.
• The kami
respond to
sincere prayers
of the faithful.
• Shrine
ceremonies
include
cleansing,
offerings,
prayers, and
dances.
► According to ________
Shinto teachings every
thing in nature has spirits.
kami
► These sprits called ________ are believed
to keep people safe and help them live.
►They build shrines called gates and perform
cermoines to ask for ____________.
blessings
 Torii Gate
When entering a shrine, one passes through a
Torii

The Torii marks the separation between the

Torii Gate
A Tunnel of Torii Gates
Inari Mt., Kyoto
Torii Gong
Shinto Temple – “Worship Hall”
 Quick Answer:

Yes

But in an altered form, current

Japanese religion is a
combination of Shintoism,