Guest Author - Melanie Shintaku

The word Shinto is made up of two characters which mean “kami way” (shin=kami; to=way) and can be better translated as “the way of the gods.” Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, dating back to 200 BC. The basic belief of Shinto is that the gods or spirit is found in all living things. Gods, or “kami” (kah-me) are found to reside in beautiful, sacred places like waterfalls, and ancient forests. Even artists who display exceptional skill and some non-living things like rocks, are believed to contain the presence of kami. Unlike many other religions, Shinto has no formalized book of laws. Instead it emphasizes a constant searching for harmony with nature, and the recognition of and appreciation for god’s presence in one’s surroundings. It is in these sacred spaces one can truly connect with the spiritual realm.

Shintoism was never formally structured until Buddhism found its way to Japan’s shores around 540. Before Buddhism, there were thousands of shrines recognizing local kami scattered throughout Japan with the kami important to local townships revered. With the introduction of Buddhism, it became necessary to preserve the indigenous religion of Japan through structuring the various kami worshipped throughout Japan. The Japanese eventually organized these various kami structures, or shrines, into what was eventually termed Shintoism. Today there are still thousands, if not tens of thousands, of shinto shrine in Japan.

It wasn't until recent history when the Japanese government had altered Shintoism and created "State Shinto" for propoganda purposes. Today in Japan, Shinto has returned to focus more on its original form or “Jinja Shinto” (Shrine Shinto) emphasizing and appreciation for the beauty of the supernatural around us, recognizing we are an inseparable part of the world in which we coexist with other living things. The famous Japanese "torii" (red gateways) serve to let anyone passing through know the area they are approaching is sacred.

While it will take several writings to feature many prominent shrines in Japan, here are two to start:

Ise Shrine
The Ise Shrine is the oldest and most important of Shinto shrines in Japan. Built in the 3rd and 5th centuries, Ise Shrine consists of an inner shrine (Naiku) and outer shrine (Geku). These wood buildings are dedicated to the kami Toyouke and the Amaterasu Omikami. Ise shrine is next to the Isuzu River at the base of Mount Kamiji and Mount Shimaji in southern Honshu, Japan. An unusual fact --even though Ise Shrine is 2,000 years old, its structures are rebuilt every twenty years!! The next rebuilding will take place in 2013.

Kamo Wake-Ikazuchi Jinja (Kamigamo Shrine)
This is the oldest Shinto shrine in the ancient city of Kyoto. This shrine is dedicated to the deity Wakeikazuchi and was built in the year 678 during the reign of Emperor Temmu.

For more information on Shintoism, please visit the website of the International Shinto Foundation.