Shinto

shinto

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By: Emilia Markowicz, Tomas Hakas, Felipe Poggio and Romina Fedele

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SHINTO INDEX

1. Origin

7. Video

2. Culture

8. Map

9. Glossary

3. Beliefs

4. Costumes

5. Festivals

6. Top 5 facts

shinto origin

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Shinto is a Japanese cult and religion, originating in prehistoric times, and occupying an important national position for long periods in the history of Japan, particularly in recent times.During the Meiji era (1868 to 1912 CE), Japan's nationalist leadership expelled Buddhist influence from kami worship and formed State Shinto, which many historians regard as the origin of Shinto as a distinct religion.

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shinto CULTURE

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It is believed that every living thing in nature contains kami, or gods. Consequently Shinto principles can be seen throughout Japanese culture, where nature and the turning of the seasons are adored. This is reflected in arts such as ikebana (flower arranging) and bonsai, Japanese garden design and the annual celebration of sakura or cherry blossom. Japanese religion is also a private, family affair. It is separated from the state; there are no religious prayers or symbols in a school graduation ceremony, for example. Religion is rarely discussed in everyday life and the majority of Japanese do not worship regularly or claim to be religious.

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shinto BELIEFS

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One of the core beliefs of the Shinto religion is the idea that everything possesses a spiritual essence or energy called “kami.” Mountains, rivers, places, animals and people are said to have kami inside. People share on many levels and in many ways with kami. Shinto believes that certain objects or places have greater amounts of kami and make it easier for people to connect with them at those locations. Natural locations, like mountains and waterfalls, or man-made shrines are places where the kami resides.

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shinto COSTUMES

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Shintō clothing fall into three classes: - seisō (formal) - reisō (ritual) - jōsō (ordinary). Formal seisō clothes are in the style known as ikan, consisting of a colored and sometimes patterned belted robe called a hō over hakama (loose trousers) and worn with a headdress known as a kanmuri (see illustration).

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shinto FESTIVALS

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Amongst the most important annual festivals are the three-day Shogatsu Matsuri or Japanese New Year festival, the Obon Buddhist celebration of the dead returning to the ancestral home, which includes many Shinto rituals.

Obon

Shogatsu Matsuri

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Shogatsu Matsuri

Shogatsu Matsuri is the most important holiday in Japan. Most businesses shut down from January 1 to January 3, and families typically gather to spend the days together. Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. All duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the purpose of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind.

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OBON

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Many Japanese take up an old tradition by gathering in their hometowns to pay homage in a festive way to their ancestors. According to common belief, the spirits of ancestors come back home during this period called Obon, a time set aside to appreciate life and one's heritage. Obon festivals range in style from the solemn to the spry, from quiet visits to family graves to lively dancing and parades of floats, fireworks, or paper boats drifting down a river.

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shinto top 5 facts

1. Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan. About 80% of the Japanese population attend Shinto shrines and ceremonies today. 2. The Shinto religion has such a large number of gods, it became called ‘the religion of the million gods’; there are up to 80 million different kami in Japan! 3. Many places of Shinto worship are in areas of natural beauty. 4. A shrine is the name given to a building of Shinto worship. 5. Many people in Japan practice Shinto and Buddhism.

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VIDeo

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This video talks about Shinto general information and also you can learn about kami. If you need subtitles use them, it would also be great!

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Places which shinto is more practised

Japan is the only country which Shinto is practised, maybe there are some other country which have persons who belong to shinto religion but there are very few.

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glossary

Ikebana

Bonsai

cherry blossom

Shrine

heritage

Hakama

Think about the definitions of each word and try to connect the words with the images!

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Answers

glossary

Ikebana

Bonsai

cherry blossom

Shrine

heritage

Hakama

Think about the definitions of each word and try to connect the words with the images!

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¡Thanks!

By: Emilia Markowicz, Tomas Hakas, Felipe Poggio and Romina Fedele

Glossary

Who said what?

Present: Felipe Origin: Emilia Culture: Felipe Beliefs: Romina Costumes: Emilia Festivals: Hakas Top 5 facts: Felipe Video: Emilia Map: Romina Glossary: Hakas

Ikebana: Felipe Bonsai: Hakas Sakura or Cherry Blossom: Emilia Shrine: Romina Heritage: Hakas Hakama: Romina