Shinto Flashcards
According to our in-class discussion, what provoked the creation of Shinto?
Military origins
Who were the Samurai and Shoguns in pre-Christian Japan?
- Samurai: Elite warriors
- Shogun: Highest military leader, often outranked the Emperor
Approximately when was Shinto founded?
~600 BC, around same time as Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism
According to our in-class discussion, Shinto was founded around the same time as what other religions?
Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism
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?
- Oldest - Shinto
- Most common - Buddhism, then Shinto
Based on our in-class discussion, why is it that many people in Japan feel comfortable practicing more than one religion at a time?
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
According to our in-class discussion, why does Shinto have so little theology?
Mostly just history and practice rather than religion
What does the term “Shinto” mean?
“The way of the Kami” (Gods)
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?
- Kami - Many gods/spirits/divine presences that are revered
- Nature/Natural World
According to our in-class discussion, who are the main figures in the Shinto pantheon?
Izanami
Izanagi
What did Izanami give birth to?
35 Kami
8 Islands
What did Izanagi give birth to?
Amaterasu - Right Eye
Tsukiyomi - Left Eye
Susanoo - Nose - Married Amaterasu, bad husband
Who is the most important or influential deity in the ancient Shinto pantheon?
Amaterasu
Who did Amaterasu marry?
Susanoo
Where did Amaterasu hide, that caused darkness and chaos to reign in the earth?
A cave
How did Amaterasu’s husband coax her out of her hiding place?
He said there is a more beautiful woman outside and she got curious
Appealing to her vanity
According to our in-class discussion, the first emperor of Japan was a descendant of whom and what was the relationship?
3rd great grandson of Amaterasu is said to become the first great emperor of Japan
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?
Older generation
According to our in-class discussion, what are the three types of kami?
Powers of nature - Restricted to a space, like water or rock
Deceased ancestors
Souls of important and famous people
If you neglect the kami or fail to appease them, what will happen?
If the kami are unhappy, then they will make everyone else have a bad day
According to our in-class discussion, most questions regarding Shinto practice can be answered by what statement?
Because it apeases or pleases the Kami
What, according to our in-class discussion, does the word “Kamikaze” mean? What is the story behind the origin of that term?
“Divine wind”
The people who drove the planes into ships were trying to be like the divine wind, helping out their allies
According to our in-class discussion, where are kami most present?
In nature
Why are Shinto shrines usually built with all natural materials, and often in wooded areas?
The kami are more nature based
What, according to our in-class discussion, is the two-fold purpose of life?
To ensure the Kami are kept happy
To celebrate the land and purpose of Japan
According to our in-class discussion, why is it that Japan makes almost no sense outside of Japan?
Origins and establishment and importance of Japan
Does Shinto have “canonical” scriptural texts (i.e., official texts that are perceived as “scripture”)?
None, but do have records of mythological origin of Japan
According to our in-class discussion, the primary rite of Shinto is what?
Seeking purity or cleanliness
If one is not clean, or one’s land is not clean, what will be prevented from happening?
The Kami won’t come and protect it
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?
Abalushion pavilion
According to our in-class discussion, what kinds of offerings do practitioners of Shinto make to the kami?
Food, drink, flowers, or money
What is the name of the gate outside of Shinto shrines, and what do those gates symbolize?
Torii gate - Mean transition from worldly to sacred
What, more than statues, are commonly found in Shinto shrines as the predominant symbol?
Symbol of Amaterasu - Mirror (The one that coaxed her out of her cave)
What are the two most common Shinto symbols representative of the most important Japanese deity?
Bronze Mirror (The one that coaxed her out of her cave)
Red Disc on Japan Flag represents Sun, and thus Amaterasu
Why are mirrors commonly employed in Shinto?
They represent Amaterasu and the return of the sun to the world
What do practitioners of Shinto typically do before praying, and why?
Temizu (手水): Washing Hands and Mouth
Cleanse themselves
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?
Clapping - make the Kami more alert to what you want/need
Pay priest, ceremonial dance
What are “matsuri” in Shinto? And what is their primary purpose, according to our in-class discussion?
Holidays/Festivals
Purpose to keep the Kami happy
According to our in-class discussion, the most important work of Shinto priests and priestesses is what?
Practice rites and purifications
Practitioners of Shinto trace everything back to whom?
Amaterasu
Other than the sun, what specifically is the large red dot at the center of the Japanese flag a symbol of?
It also represents Amaterasu
What is bushido in Shinto, and what are its seven components?
Code of ethics for samurai warriors
- Gratitude & Courage—Willing to die for your country.
- Justice—Duty before desire; selfishness is wrong.
- Truthfulness—Honesty more important than preservation.
- Politeness—Even to your enemies.
- Reserve—Never show feelings or emotions.
- Honor—Hara-kiri (if defeated or disgraced).
* When losing or embarrassment, take your own life,
* Redemes you from your mistake or behavior - Allegiance—Country before family.
Based on our in-class discussion, is Shinto pessimistic or optimistic? And what about the religion evidences that?
Very optimistic, evil isn’t human, it is caused by unhappy Kami
Does Shinto have any denominations?
Many, like shrine shinto, state shinto, ect
For many years, Shinto was the state religion of Japan. What caused it to no longer be the nation’s official religion?
After WWII, Alias required it to stop
In the post-WWII era, is Shinto practiced more religiously or culturally?
More cultural than religious
