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REL 351 > Shinto > Flashcards

Shinto Flashcards

1
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what provoked the creation of Shinto?

A

Military origins

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2
Q

Who were the Samurai and Shoguns in pre-Christian Japan?

A
  • Samurai: Elite warriors
  • Shogun: Highest military leader, often outranked the Emperor
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3
Q

Approximately when was Shinto founded?

A

~600 BC, around same time as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism

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4
Q

According to our in-class discussion, Shinto was founded around the same time as what other religions?

A

Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism

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5
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what is the oldest religion in Japan and what are the most common and second most common religions in Japan?

A
  • Oldest - Shinto
  • Most common - Buddhism, then Shinto
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6
Q

Based on our in-class discussion, why is it that many people in Japan feel comfortable practicing more than one religion at a time?

A

They don’t really conflict with one another, because they aren’t really what we would think a religion is, more a way of thinking

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7
Q

According to our in-class discussion, why does Shinto have so little theology?

A

Mostly just history and practice rather than religion

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8
Q

What does the term “Shinto” mean?

A

“The way of the Kami” (Gods)

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9
Q

According to our in-class discussion, if you mention “the gods” to a practitioner of Shino, what two ideas are likely to come to mind?

A
  • Kami - Many gods/spirits/divine presences that are revered
  • Nature/Natural World
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10
Q

According to our in-class discussion, who are the main figures in the Shinto pantheon?

A

Izanami
Izanagi

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11
Q

What did Izanami give birth to?

A

35 Kami
8 Islands

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12
Q

What did Izanagi give birth to?

A

Amaterasu - Right Eye
Tsukiyomi - Left Eye
Susanoo - Nose - Married Amaterasu, bad husband

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13
Q

Who is the most important or influential deity in the ancient Shinto pantheon?

A

Amaterasu

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14
Q

Who did Amaterasu marry?

A

Susanoo

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15
Q

Where did Amaterasu hide, that caused darkness and chaos to reign in the earth?

A

A cave

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16
Q

How did Amaterasu’s husband coax her out of her hiding place?

A

He said there is a more beautiful woman outside and she got curious
Appealing to her vanity

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17
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the first emperor of Japan was a descendant of whom and what was the relationship?

A

3rd great grandson of Amaterasu is said to become the first great emperor of Japan

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18
Q

According to our in-class discussion, which generation of Japanese people are most inclined to believe in the literal existence of the kami, and are most inclined to practice Shinto?

A

Older generation

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19
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what are the three types of kami?

A

Powers of nature - Restricted to a space, like water or rock
Deceased ancestors
Souls of important and famous people

20
Q

If you neglect the kami or fail to appease them, what will happen?

A

If the kami are unhappy, then they will make everyone else have a bad day

21
Q

According to our in-class discussion, most questions regarding Shinto practice can be answered by what statement?

A

Because it apeases or pleases the Kami

22
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, does the word “Kamikaze” mean? What is the story behind the origin of that term?

A

“Divine wind”
The people who drove the planes into ships were trying to be like the divine wind, helping out their allies

23
Q

According to our in-class discussion, where are kami most present?

A

In nature

24
Q

Why are Shinto shrines usually built with all natural materials, and often in wooded areas?

A

The kami are more nature based

25
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the two-fold purpose of life?

A

To ensure the Kami are kept happy
To celebrate the land and purpose of Japan

26
Q

According to our in-class discussion, why is it that Japan makes almost no sense outside of Japan?

A

Origins and establishment and importance of Japan

27
Q

Does Shinto have “canonical” scriptural texts (i.e., official texts that are perceived as “scripture”)?

A

None, but do have records of mythological origin of Japan

28
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the primary rite of Shinto is what?

A

Seeking purity or cleanliness

29
Q

If one is not clean, or one’s land is not clean, what will be prevented from happening?

A

The Kami won’t come and protect it

30
Q

What, according to our in-class discussion, is the name of the place at which practitioners cleanse their mouth, hands, and face—prior to approaching the kami?

A

Abalushion pavilion

31
Q

According to our in-class discussion, what kinds of offerings do practitioners of Shinto make to the kami?

A

Food, drink, flowers, or money

32
Q

What is the name of the gate outside of Shinto shrines, and what do those gates symbolize?

A

Torii gate - Mean transition from worldly to sacred

33
Q

What, more than statues, are commonly found in Shinto shrines as the predominant symbol?

A

Symbol of Amaterasu - Mirror (The one that coaxed her out of her cave)

34
Q

What are the two most common Shinto symbols representative of the most important Japanese deity?

A

Bronze Mirror (The one that coaxed her out of her cave)
Red Disc on Japan Flag represents Sun, and thus Amaterasu

35
Q

Why are mirrors commonly employed in Shinto?

A

They represent Amaterasu and the return of the sun to the world

36
Q

What do practitioners of Shinto typically do before praying, and why?

A

Temizu (手水): Washing Hands and Mouth
Cleanse themselves

37
Q

In class, I mentioned a couple of things practitioners of Shinto sometimes do in order to make their prayers more efficacious. What were those things?

A

Clapping - make the Kami more alert to what you want/need
Pay priest, ceremonial dance

38
Q

What are “matsuri” in Shinto? And what is their primary purpose, according to our in-class discussion?

A

Holidays/Festivals
Purpose to keep the Kami happy

39
Q

According to our in-class discussion, the most important work of Shinto priests and priestesses is what?

A

Practice rites and purifications

40
Q

Practitioners of Shinto trace everything back to whom?

A

Amaterasu

41
Q

Other than the sun, what specifically is the large red dot at the center of the Japanese flag a symbol of?

A

It also represents Amaterasu

42
Q

What is bushido in Shinto, and what are its seven components?

A

Code of ethics for samurai warriors

  1. Gratitude & Courage—Willing to die for your country.
  2. Justice—Duty before desire; selfishness is wrong.
  3. Truthfulness—Honesty more important than preservation.
  4. Politeness—Even to your enemies.
  5. Reserve—Never show feelings or emotions.
  6. Honor—Hara-kiri (if defeated or disgraced).
    * When losing or embarrassment, take your own life,
    * Redemes you from your mistake or behavior
  7. Allegiance—Country before family.
43
Q

Based on our in-class discussion, is Shinto pessimistic or optimistic? And what about the religion evidences that?

A

Very optimistic, evil isn’t human, it is caused by unhappy Kami

44
Q

Does Shinto have any denominations?

A

Many, like shrine shinto, state shinto, ect

45
Q

For many years, Shinto was the state religion of Japan. What caused it to no longer be the nation’s official religion?

A

After WWII, Alias required it to stop

46
Q

In the post-WWII era, is Shinto practiced more religiously or culturally?

A

More cultural than religious

REL 351 (6 decks)

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