What is Shinto? An introduction to the japanese religion

Shintoism, or simply Shinto, is the traditional faith of Japan and can be traced back to the early history of the island nation. Unlike many other world religions, Shinto has no written holy scripture, no strict dogma and no founder to whom it can be traced. Instead, it is a collection of rituals, myths and beliefs that are deeply rooted in Japanese culture and often merge seamlessly with other religious traditions, especially Buddhism.

The word "Shinto" is composed of the Chinese characters "shin" (god or spirit) and "to" (way), and means something like "way of the gods". The religion itself is based on the idea that the world is inhabited by countless spirits or gods, the so-called kami, who are present in natural elements such as trees, mountains, rivers and even animals. These kami are worshipped not only as divine beings, but also as natural forces that can exert supernatural influences on people's daily lives.

The roots of Shintoism go back to the Jomon period, which lasted from about 14,000 to 300 BC. During this period, people in Japan lived as hunters and gatherers and developed a deep connection to nature early on. The reverence for nature and the idea of spirits in natural objects are probably the precursors of the later Kami worship in Shintoism.

The Yayoi period (300 BC to 300 AD), in which agriculture became established in Japan and people began to live in villages, also had an influence on the development of Shintoism. Settling down and the introduction of rice cultivation led to a greater emphasis on the forces of nature and the idea that certain Kami were responsible for harvest success and prosperity. It was probably during this period that the first rituals were developed to appease the Kami and ask for their favor.

With the rise of the Kofun period (300 to 538 AD), the belief developed further and the first solid structures emerged. The ruling houses of this period claimed direct descent from the Kami, especially from Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who is still considered one of the most important deities in Shintoism today. The imperial family of Japan sees itself as a descendant of Amaterasu, and this connection to divine descent strengthened its authority and the status of Shintoism as a central religious force in Japan.

The most important writings dealing with the myths and the world of gods of Shintoism are the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. The Kojiki, which was written in 712, is considered the oldest chronicle in Japan and describes the history of the islands and the genealogy of the gods. The Nihon Shoki, which was written in 720, expands on these stories and gives them a historical context.

The "Kojiki"

The Kojiki ("Records of Ancient Events") is the oldest surviving historical work in Japan and plays a central role in understanding Shintoism and Japanese mythology. It was compiled in 712 AD on the orders of Emperor Temmu to record Japan's oral traditions in writing and to document the divine lineage of the Japanese imperial family. The work itself was written by O no Yasumaro, an official and scholar at the imperial court, while the myths and stories recorded in it were recited by the court poet Hieda no Are, who knew these traditions by heart.

The Kojiki covers the origins of Japan and its world of gods as well as the lineage of the imperial family in three volumes. The first part (Jindaiki) describes the Japanese creation myth world in which the gods Izanagi and Izanami created the Japanese islands and numerous gods, the so-called Kami, through divine union. Of particular importance here is the sun goddess Amaterasu, who is considered the founding mother of the Japanese imperial family and is worshipped as the main goddess in Shintoism.

The second and third parts of the Kojiki focus on earthly history and contain the stories about the first mythical emperors of Japan, their heroic deeds, conflicts and the establishment of a divinely legitimized empire. The stories link mythological events with historical figures and thus legitimize the rule of the imperial family as divine.

The Kojiki is both a religious and a political text. It consolidates the imperial family's claim to the succession of the kami, especially the goddess Amaterasu, and thus represents a sacred basis for the political authority of the rulers. Historically, the Kojiki has great cultural and religious significance for Japan and Shintoism, as it preserves and transmits the myths, identity and history of the Japanese nation in written form.

The "Nihon Shoki"

The Nihon Shoki (also called Nihongi, translated as "Chronicles of Japan") is one of the oldest written records of Japanese history and mythology. It was completed in 720 AD, eight years after the Kojiki, and was the work of a group of scholars led by Prince Toneri, a son of Emperor Tenmu. Its writing was coordinated by O no Yasumaro, who had already worked on the Kojiki.

The Nihon Shoki comprehensively covers the history of Japan from its mythical origins to the 7th century and is divided into 30 volumes. It begins with cosmological and mythological accounts of the creation of Japan and its gods, similar to the Kojiki, but more extensive and with additional details and alternate versions of the myths. It describes the kami Izanagi and Izanami, who gave birth to Japanese islands and gods, as well as the legends of the sun goddess Amaterasu and other important deities.

A large part of the work is devoted to the genealogy and deeds of the Japanese emperors, with a strong emphasis on historical events and political developments. Unlike the Kojiki, which is more of a mythical and symbolic narrative, the Nihon Shoki has a more explicit historical pretension and uses many Chinese influences and styles, which was intended to give the work more academic authority and credibility at the time.

Because the Nihon Shoki is written in Chinese, which was then the language of scholarship and diplomacy in East Asia, it also served to portray Japan to the outside world as a civilized and historically established empire. The work emphasizes the imperial family's divine descent from the sun goddess Amaterasu, which gave religious legitimacy to the emperors' claim to power.

Overall, the Nihon Shoki is of great historical and religious importance for Japan, as it established Japanese historiography and strengthened the imperial family's political and cultural influence. To this day, it is considered an essential source for the early history of Japan and is used as an important reference in religious and historical studies.

One of the central myths of Shintoism describes the creation of the Japanese islands by the deities Izanagi and Izanami. From the union of these two deities arise other kami, including Amaterasu, the sun goddess, Tsukuyomi, the moon god, and Susanoo, the god of storms and the sea. These three deities play a central role in Shintoism, especially Amaterasu, who is closely connected to the imperial family.

The worship of the kami is diverse and complex. They are seen as supernatural beings that can have both good and destructive powers. A distinction is made between ujigami and nature kami. Ujigami are protective gods who watch over certain families, clans or regions, while nature kami represent natural elements. Both types of kami reflect the deep roots of Shintoism in Japan's natural environment.

An essential feature of Shintoism are the rituals and festivals held in honor of the kami. These ceremonies and traditions are called Matsuri and take place at both local and national levels. A Matsuri always has the goal of honoring the Kami, appeasing them, or asking for their blessing. The most important Matsuri include the New Year's Festival (Shogatsu), the Girls' Festival (Hinamatsuri), and the Star Festival (Tanabata).

The Matsuri reflect the diversity of the Kami and are often related to agricultural cycles, such as the rice harvest, or to seasonal changes that are particularly pronounced in Japanese nature. The ceremonies are highly ritualized and follow fixed procedures that have been passed down through generations. An essential element of these festivals is purification (Harae), in which people are symbolically freed from sins and negative influences.

Another central ritual in Shintoism is visiting a shrine that is considered to be the residence of a Kami. Shinto shrines (jinja) are sacred places where people can be close to the kami and voice their concerns. There are thousands of such shrines in Japan, varying greatly in size, importance and regional distribution. The Ise Shrine, dedicated to Amaterasu, is considered the most important Shinto shrine in the country and attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists every year.

Shinto and the influence of Buddhism

Shintoism did not develop in isolation, but has always interacted with other religions, especially Buddhism. When Buddhism came to Japan from China and Korea in the 6th century, two very different religious traditions collided. While Buddhism offers a clear doctrine and philosophical basis, Shintoism was a more loose collection of practices and beliefs. Initially there was conflict and tension between the two religions, but over time a symbiosis emerged, mixing elements of both religions.

The so-called "Shinbutsu-Shugo" movement, which began in the 8th century, promoted the fusion of Shinto and Buddhism. Many Shinto shrines were attached to Buddhist temples, and Buddhist monks participated in Shinto ceremonies. This syncretism was widespread until the Meiji period in the 19th century and had a lasting impact on Japan's religious landscape.

However, with the Meiji Restoration (1868), attitudes towards Shintoism changed...