Question

Religious Studies...not listed

In appropriate depth and detail, and utilizing scholarly references, describe the basic characteristics of the Japanese religion known as Shinto, including but not limited to: its history, its primary beliefs, its criticisms, its practices, and its organization.

Answer 1

Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan and it's practices were first recorded and codified in the written historical records of Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century. However, these writings do not refer to unified religion, but rather to a collection of beliefs and mythology. Kojiki establishes the Japanese imperial family as the foundation of Japanese culture. There is also a creation myth and genealogy of the gods. Nihonshoki was more interested in creating structural system of government foreign policy, religious hierarchy and domestic social order. The gradual introduction of methodical religious and government organizations around 300 BCE seeded the reactive changes in primal Shinto over the next 700 years to a more formalized system.

Practices of Shinto are-

1. Omairi - visiting the shrine.

2.Harae -Ceremony of offerings and prayers at a shrine.

3. Misogi- water purification

4.Imi - Avoidance by placing taboo upon certain persons or acts.

5.Amulets and Talismans

6. Kagura - Ritual dance

Primary beliefs - Shinto beliefs focuses on the existence and power of the kami or gods, that exist in the world, in nature, and especially in and throughout Japan.

Criticism - It possesses nationalistic aspects and is patriarchal.

Organizations - Association of Shinto Shrines is a religious administrative organization that oversees about 80,000 Shinto shrines in Japan.