What is Shinto? (Rethinking Religion in Japan)

Summary

This video explores Shinto, Japan's indigenous belief system, often misunderstood as an independent religion. It traces the evolution of Shinto from its ancient roots, where shrines and rituals honored kami (spirits), to its integration with Buddhism, and its later separation during the Meiji period. Shinto's core elements, such as the torii gates, shrines, and kami, are discussed alongside its deep connection to Japanese history, especially its role in legitimizing the emperor's rule. The video also questions traditional definitions of religion and examines Shinto's fluid nature in modern Japanese culture.

Takeaways

• 🕌 Shinto is a Japanese tradition often misunderstood as Japan's native religion or nature worship, but modern scholarship challenges these views.
• ⛩️ The word 'Shinto' means 'way of the gods,' and is used to describe beliefs and practices related to shrines, rituals, and myths in Japan.
• 🗾 Historically, Shinto was not seen as a distinct religion until the 19th century; prior to this, it was intertwined with Buddhism and other traditions.
• 👥 The concept of 'kami'—translated as gods or spirits—is central to Shinto, but it does not align perfectly with Western religious ideas of deities.
• 🌞 Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, is one of the most important kami, directly linked to the legitimacy of the Japanese emperor's rule.
• 🏯 Shinto shrines, like the famous Ise Shrine, are homes for the kami, and priests perform rituals to appease and honor these spiritual beings.
• 💫 Visitors to Shinto shrines pray to the kami for help with personal issues, from job interviews to exams, through specific rituals like bowing and clapping.
• 🎭 Shinto rituals often involve reenactments of myths, where the kami are transferred into portable shrines (mikoshi) and carried in parades.
• 📜 The idea of a 'pure' ancient Shinto, free from Buddhist influence, is now seen as a myth created during Japan's Meiji period for nationalistic reasons.
• 🌍 Shinto today remains a living tradition that coexists with other beliefs like Buddhism and atheism, challenging rigid definitions of religion.

Q & A

What is the significance of Torii gates in Shinto?

Torii gates are a characteristic symbol of Shinto, marking the entrance to sacred spaces like shrines. They signify the boundary between the ordinary world and the sacred, inviting people to purify themselves before entering the realm of the kami.

How is Shinto commonly misunderstood according to modern scholarship?

Shinto is often described as Japan’s native religion or as nature worship, but modern scholars argue that these ideas are partly misguided. Historically, Shinto wasn't seen as a distinct religion and was closely integrated with Buddhism until the Meiji period.

What is the literal meaning of the word 'Shinto'?

Shinto literally means 'way of the gods,' with 'shin' meaning 'god or deity' and 'to' meaning 'way,' derived from the Chinese word 'Dao' from Taoism.

What is the central concept of kami in Shinto?

Kami are spirits or deities, often associated with natural phenomena, places, or even ancestors. While they are sometimes compared to gods in polytheistic traditions, kami are seen as distinct beings that can be both helpful and dangerous.

How were the practices of Shinto historically integrated with Buddhism?

Before the 19th century, Shinto and Buddhism were indistinguishable. Buddhist monks incorporated kami into their practices, reading sutras to them and building shrine-temple complexes where both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines coexisted.

What is the significance of Amaterasu in Shinto mythology?

Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, is one of the most important kami in Shinto. She is closely connected to Japan’s imperial family, with the emperor believed to be her direct descendant, legitimizing his rule. Her myths, such as the story of her hiding in a cave, play a significant role in Japanese culture.

How did the Meiji period influence Shinto?

During the Meiji period, Shinto was separated from Buddhism and developed into a distinct religious ideology to support the imperial rule. It was redefined as the pure, original Japanese religion, though this view is considered a nationalistic myth.

What role do shrines play in the daily life of Shinto practitioners?

Shrines serve as homes for kami, where people visit to pray for various purposes, such as good luck in exams or job interviews. Rituals include purification, offering gifts, and praying to the kami, often for both mundane and significant life events.

How has the concept of Shinto as an independent religion evolved over time?

The idea of Shinto as an independent religion developed in the 19th century. Before that, Shinto was seen as an extension of Buddhism, and the concept of it as a distinct tradition is largely a modern construction.

Why is it difficult to define Shinto as a religion in the Western sense?

Shinto does not fit the Western, Christocentric definition of religion, as it has historically been deeply intertwined with Buddhism and Confucianism. This complexity highlights the limitations of using Western terms to describe non-Western belief systems.