Shintoism Flashcards
What do we know about the founder and founding of Shinto?
Nothing really
Among what group is Shinto believed to have had its origins?
Japanese military
Approximately when is Shinto Believed to have been founded?
Before 6th Century CE
What is the most common religion in Japan?
Shintoism
What is the oldest religion in Japan?
Shintoism
What is the second most common religion in Japan?
Buddhism
Other than being symbolic, what are mirrors used for in Shinto?
Used in rituals, temples and shrines
Why do Japanese often feel comfortable practicing more than one religion at a time?
Syncretism, more of a lifestyle than a religion
What are samurai?
Members of the Shinto Military
Why is it believed that Shinto has limited theology?
So old, absence of canonical texts and founder
What does the term “Shinto” mean?
“They way of the gods”
What two things typically come to mind when a practitioner of Shinto hears the term “God”?
Kami and Amaterasu
What are “Kami”
Divine beings that are everywhere
Who is the Shinto goddess of the sun?
Amaterasu
The Gods of Shinto are less like the Judeo-Christian God. and more like what deities?
More similar to those in polytheistic belief systems
How many kami and how many islands did Izanami give birth to?
Eight islands, plus six more, lots of kami
What did Izanagi slam over the entrance to the underworld?
Slammed a boulder or a large comb
Why did Izanagi go through a ritual washing after discovering his wife in the underworld?
He had been contaminated by the impurities of the land of the dead
Who did the Shinto goddess of the sun marry?
Married the god of the moon, Tsukuyomi
How was the sun goddess’ husband able to get her out of the cave she had withdrawn into?
Other deities helped lure her out
The 3rd great-grandson of the sun goddess became what?
Jimmu Tenno, the first emperor of Japan
What are shoguns?
Early government officials
In Shinto, to be close to nature is equivalent to being close to what?
Close to God
Believing practitioners of Shinto have traditionally believed that the emperor of Japan was a descendant of whom?
Amaterasu
The land of Japan is different from the rest of the earth in what sense?
Heavenly Land
What are the three types of kami that we discussed in class?
- Defied powers in nature
- Clan ancestors
- The souls of celebrated or famous dead people
Are kami localized or omnipresent?
Omnipresent
What does the phrase “kamikaze” mean?
“divine wind”
What is the two-fold purpose of life in Shinto?
Appease the Kami, celebrate Japan
What is the primary “rite” in Shinto?
Ritual washings
What is traditionally found outside of Shinto shrines, and used prior to entering a shrine?
Torii gate, wooden ladle
What kind of things do practitioners of Shinto use as offerings?
Paper on prayer rolls
What are two symbols of the sun goddess that we discussed in class?
Yata no Kagami- Eight span mirror
Hinomaru- Circle of the sun
Why does one clap prior to offering one’s prayers?
Gets the attention of the Kami, shows respect and invites the Kami
Three things which can be done to make one’s prayer more efficacious:
Purity, sincerity, respect
What are matsuri in Shinto?
Holiday/festival to appease the Kami
What does the current Japanese flag look like?
Red disc representing the sun, “land of the rising sun” representing Amaterasu
What is Bushido?
Code of honor for Samurai
1. Gratitude and courage
2. Justice
3. Truthfulness
4. Politeness
5. Reserve
6. Honor
7. Allegiance
At what point did Shinto become the state religion of Japan?
In the late 19th century, 1868
What caused Shinto to no longer be Japan’s state religion?
After WWII, the allies separated Shinto from the state
