The Myths of Shintoism

Shintoism, or simply Shinto, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan. It is a religious tradition that emphasizes the worship of natural elements, ancestors, and deities known as kami. Shinto has no founder, sacred scriptures like other major religions, or a formalized system of ethics.

Key Elements of Shintoism

Kami are the divine spirits or deities in Shinto, often linked to natural phenomena like mountains, rivers, and trees, as well as ancestral spirits. Kami can be thought of as sacred forces that reside in all things.

Nature plays a crucial role in Shinto belief, with mountains, rivers, rocks, and other natural elements viewed as places where kami reside. Practices often include ceremonies that take place at shrines, which are built to honor these sacred spirits.

Shinto Shrines (Jinja) are central to the practice of Shintoism. These shrines act as places of worship for kami. Rituals are conducted at shrines, which include offerings and prayers to maintain harmony between humans, nature, and the kami.

Rituals and festivals (matsuri) in Shinto are performed to honor kami, purify individuals and places, and celebrate the changing seasons. These events often include dances, offerings, and processions.

Purity is a fundamental concept in Shinto. Ritual purification, or misogi, is performed to cleanse people from impurities, whether physical or spiritual. This can involve washing with water or visiting sacred sites.

Unlike many other religions, Shintoism lacks a sacred scripture or a formal founder. Its practices are instead passed down through tradition and oral history, emphasizing a connection to local customs and community.

In Japan, Shinto often coexists alongside Buddhism. People may practice rituals from both religions; Shinto is commonly associated with life events (such as birth and marriage), while Buddhism is linked to funeral practices.

Historical Development

Ancient Roots: Shintoism originated from the earliest beliefs of Japan’s inhabitants, developing into its unique form with influences from nature worship and animism.

Interaction with Buddhism: Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the 6th century CE, and for centuries Shinto practices were deeply intertwined with Buddhist beliefs. This syncretism continued until the Meiji Restoration (1868), when the Japanese government formally separated Shinto from Buddhism and promoted it as a state religion.

Today, Shinto remains an important part of Japanese culture and society. Many Japanese people participate in Shinto rituals, such as visiting shrines during the New Year or for various life events, even if they do not identify themselves as strictly religious. It is seen as a way of honoring tradition and maintaining a connection to one’s heritage and community.

Coordinates of Notable Shinto Shrines

• Ise Grand Shrine (Ise Jingu): View
• Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto): View
• Meiji Shrine (Tokyo): View

Ancient Roots of Shintoism

Shintoism’s origins are deeply connected to the natural environment of ancient Japan and reflect the animistic traditions and belief systems that developed among early communities. Its ancient roots can be characterized by the following aspects:

Animism and Nature Worship

Shintoism has its foundation in animism, the belief that spirits or deities, known as kami, inhabit all things—living and non-living. Natural phenomena like mountains, rivers, rocks, and trees were all believed to possess a spirit or divine essence.

People viewed the natural world as inherently sacred, and they formed rituals to show respect to these forces, seeking blessings for prosperity, fertility, and protection. The concept of the kami is not limited to what people typically think of as “gods” but extends to any extraordinary element that evokes awe and reverence.

Tribal and Clans-Based Beliefs

Shintoism emerged within the context of early Japanese clans (uji), where local groups worshipped their own kami as guardian deities. Each clan had a kami that was believed to protect their community and offer prosperity. The worship of these kami was closely tied to maintaining harmony within the group and with the natural world.

This decentralized and clan-specific form of worship gave rise to a system of numerous local shrines dedicated to different kami, each important to the spiritual well-being of its community.

Rituals and Festivals

Rituals were established to honor the kami and were considered essential for gaining their favor. These rituals involved offerings of food, dance, and prayer.

Seasonal festivals were often observed in early agricultural communities to pray for a good harvest or to celebrate milestones like planting and harvesting rice. Such rituals ensured a symbiotic relationship between humans and the kami who were believed to influence fertility and weather patterns.

Sacred Places and Early Shrines

Ancient Shinto worship did not originally take place in formal buildings or temples. Instead, sacred places were marked by natural features such as sacred trees (shinboku), rocks, or mountains considered abodes of kami.

Torii gates, commonly seen at Shinto shrines today, originated as markers of sacred spaces. They symbolized the entrance to a place where kami resided. Early shrines evolved from simple structures meant to mark and protect these places of natural beauty and spiritual importance.

Mythology and Oral Traditions

Early Shinto beliefs were transmitted through oral traditions rather than written scriptures. The mythology that arose from these beliefs explains the origins of the islands of Japan and their divine rulers.

The central myths of Shinto were later compiled into texts like the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) in the 8th century CE, but the myths themselves were based on stories passed down from generation to generation among early communities. The myths often centered around key deities like Amaterasu, the sun goddess, who was believed to be the ancestor of the imperial family.

Kami and Ancestor Worship

Shinto beliefs also included the veneration of ancestors, who were believed to become kami after death. This belief system encouraged a close bond between the living and their predecessors, ensuring that their spirits were honored and could provide guidance and protection to their descendants.

Ancestor worship also reinforced the connection between the individual, family, and community, making these relationships central to Shinto practice.

These ancient beliefs and customs laid the foundation for Shinto as a living tradition rooted in respect for nature, community, and the connection between humans and the spiritual world. Shinto’s focus on the natural and spiritual interconnectedness of all things reflects the worldview of ancient Japan, emphasizing the harmonious coexistence between people and their environment.

Myths in Shintoism

Shintoism features a rich body of myths that explain the origins of Japan, its people, and the kami (deities). These myths form the core of Shinto beliefs and are recorded in early texts such as the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 CE) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720 CE). The mythology provides an important cultural foundation, connecting the divine ancestry of the Japanese imperial family with the natural and spiritual world.

Key Myths in Shintoism

Creation of Japan and the Kami

The mythological origin of Japan begins with the story of Izanagi and Izanami, two primordial kami tasked with creating the islands of Japan. They stood on the floating bridge of heaven and stirred the sea with a jeweled spear, which, when lifted, formed the first island, Onogoro.

From this island, Izanagi and Izanami continued their divine work, creating more islands and other deities. However, during the birth of the fire kami, Kagutsuchi, Izanami was fatally burned, leading to a tragic shift in the creation myths.

Descent to the Underworld

Following Izanami’s death, Izanagi went to Yomi (the underworld) to bring her back. When he found her, she had already become part of the underworld, and upon seeing her decayed form, he fled in horror.

This myth illustrates the concept of purity and impurity, which is fundamental to Shinto practice. Izanagi’s subsequent purification upon leaving the underworld is the basis for many Shinto purification rituals (misogi).

Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo

Izanagi purified himself, and from this act came three important kami:

Amaterasu – the sun goddess, born from washing his left eye. She is considered the most significant deity in Shinto, representing light, life, and the divine ancestry of Japan’s emperors.

Tsukuyomi – the moon god, born from washing his right eye.

Susanoo – the storm god, born from washing his nose. Susanoo is known for his tumultuous nature and his connection to both chaos and natural forces.

One of the well-known myths involves Amaterasu hiding in the Amano-Iwato (heavenly rock cave) after a confrontation with her brother Susanoo, who caused great disorder. This plunged the world into darkness, as Amaterasu’s light was absent.

The other kami devised a plan to bring her out, involving dancing, laughter, and displaying a mirror. Curious about the noise, Amaterasu peeked out, and the mirror showed her own reflection. The kami used this moment to pull her out of the cave, restoring light to the world. This myth symbolizes the importance of the sun, harmony, and rituals to maintain balance.

Susanoo and the Defeat of the Orochi

After his banishment from heaven, Susanoo descended to earth and encountered an eight-headed serpent known as the Yamata no Orochi. Susanoo saved a young maiden named Kushinada-hime by defeating the Orochi, and in doing so, he found the legendary sword Kusanagi, which he later gifted to Amaterasu.

This myth is significant because the sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, became one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan, along with the Yata no Kagami (mirror) and Yasakani no Magatama (jewel). These regalia symbolize the divine authority and legitimacy of the Japanese emperor.

Ninigi’s Descent and the Imperial Lineage

Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto to earth to rule Japan, giving him the three sacred treasures (mirror, sword, and jewel) to signify his divine authority. Ninigi’s descent to earth is known as Tenson Kōrin.

Ninigi eventually became the ancestor of Jimmu, the legendary first emperor of Japan. The imperial family is therefore said to be direct descendants of Amaterasu, which established the divine right of Japanese emperors and connected them with the kami.