INTRODUCTION TO WORLD

RELIGION AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

Shintoism
Fourth Quarter
Week 6

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

Division of Surigao del Sur
Disclaimer: This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) is based from the Self-Learning
Modules, Learner’s Materials, Textbooks and Teaching Guides released by
DepEd Central Office. Furthermore, utilization of duly acknowledged external
resources is purely of non-profit, for educational use and constitutes fair use. All
Rights Reserved.

Development Team Quality Assurance Team

Developer: Gean U. Samontina Evaluator/s: Jovie Ann Urbiztondo

Illustrator Pontillo-Sulpico
Layout Artist:
Leanmarx A. Tejano
PSDS/DIC: Jurissa N. Orquita

Learning Area EPS:

LAS Graphics and Design Credits:

Title Page Art:
Title Page Layout:
Visual Cues Art:

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Division of Surigao del Sur

Balilahan, Tandag City

Telephone: (086) 211-3225

Email Address: surigaodelsur.division@deped.gov.ph
Facebook: SurSur Division LRMS Updates
Facebook Messenger: Learning Resource Concerns
 Competency: Analyze the brief history, core teachings, fundamental
beliefs, practices, and related issues of Shintoism

Objectives: At the end of the week, you shall have

o identified the brief history, core teachings, fundamental beliefs,
practices of Shintoism;
o created a flyer as a representation of your knowledge about the core
teachings, fundamental beliefs and practices of Shintoism;
o Recognized the relevance of the core teachings, fundamental belief
and practices of Shintoism to one’s personal beliefs.

Learner’s Tasks

Lesson Overview
(Pages 212-230 of Learner’s Material)

BRIEF HISTORY OF SHINTOISM

Shintoism is considered as the very essence of Japanese devotion to unseen
spiritual beings and powers. It is a very local kind of religion in that it is focused on the
land of Japan, hence an “ethnic religion” that is not interested in missionary activities so
as to spread it outside Japan. Shintoism espouses the belief that “human beings are
basically good and has no concept of original sin.” Unlike other religions, it has no known
founder nor god, and it may be practiced with other religions such as Buddhism and
Daoism.
After the prehistoric period, the kami living in some places were gradually
associated with local ruling clans, also known as uji, thus taking the name ujigami. A clan
from the Yamato region claimed that they have descended from Amaterasu, and that
family was then recognized as the imperial household of Japan and cornerstone of
Japanese nationhood. From then on, indigenous festivals and ceremonies became
inseparable from government affairs especially with the emergence of the unified nation-
state. These festivities became known as matsurigoto (affairs of religious festivals) but
retained its meaning to refer to “government” today
The term “Shinto” came from “Shentao/Shendao”, shen means divine beings or
kami and dao means “the way,” hence Shintoism means “the way of the kami.” The term
first appeared in the Nihongi and Kojiki (or probably much earlier). It was used in order to
help distinguish kami-no-michi (the Japanese Way of the Gods), from Butsudo (Buddha-
Tao).
Shintoism is considered the ethnic religion in Japan and is practiced by less than
40% of the population according to 2006 and 2008 surveys. Around 50% to 80% worship
spirits or kami at Shinto shrines while not identifying themselves as Shintoists. This is because

1
Shintoism has become a way of life for the Japanese people instead of considering it as
a religion; it does not exist independently of other religions. Hence, syncretism is a
common practice, with Shintos the fundamental folk belief incorporated to Buddhism,
Confucianism, and Daoism. Followers of Shintoism are called Shintoists.

CORE TEACHINGS

Pure and Impure

Shintoism, unlike other religions, does not have a clear distinction between what is right
and what is wrong. However, since it’s most important concept is purity, there are acts or
things which are considered as evil since they cause or signify impurity. It is very important
in Shintoism to maintain physical, external, and material purity. For example, blood is
regarded as impure. Shintoism strongly disapproved of the pollution of blood. Women
who menstruate are considered impure, as well as women after child-birth, and have to
be isolated for a definite period of time. Even at present, in some remote areas of Japan,
the aforementioned women are prohibited from living together with their family and
sharing meals with them. They built houses where women who have their period or who
have recently given birth are expected to live alone and cook their own food. In these
so-called “menstruation houses” (called Taya), visitations by men were prohibited.
In general, the practice of purification in Shintoism mainly aimed at the removal of
physical or external pollution, and had nothing to do with spiritual purification. Hence,
the concept of “sin” was simply of a physical or external nature which can easily be
purified with the necessary rituals.

Death
Death is considered as the worst form of impurity in Shintoism. When a person dies, his or
her body is considered as the most impure thing. That is why they perform ritual bathing
after a funeral ceremony wherein all family members do a ritual bathing in the river. Also,
it is believed that the Shinto kami greatly dislike death, that those who have been in
contact with the dead are prohibited from participating in the rites performed at the
shrines. They are considered as impure and cannot participate in the rites for 30 days
after contact with a dead body; seven days after child-birth; and five days after contact
with the death of certain domestic animals; furthermore, those who paid a visit to the
dead or participated in memorial services cannot visit the Imperial Palace, and even
those who miscarried after more than a four-month pregnancy cannot participate in the
rite for a certain number of days. Even the mere mention of the term “death” was taboo
at the Great Shrine of Ise and the Kamo Shrine in Kyoto (Kato 1973). Although death is
considered as the ultimate manifestation of impurity, death is not to be feared of
according to Shintoism; Shintoists believe that death is but the continuation of life, and
that even if one dies he or she will continue to receive the blessings of the kami. However,
the dead live in the world of darkness while the living live in the world of light. But they
believe that even the dead are allowed to visit the world of the living and this happens
during Shinto festivals.

De/Virtue
The way to appease the kami or the spirits, according to Shinto, is through purification.
Proper observance of rituals is necessary in order to purify oneself and be deserving of
the blessings from the deities. Living in harmony with nature, which is inhabited by the

2
kami or spirits, is encouraged. In line with this, Shintoists value the virtues of beauty, truth,
goodness, and morality. Sincerity in everything that we do is also valued, for it implies a
pure heart. To achieve this, purity rituals often involve cleansing with water, such as rinsing
the mouth, washing the hands, taking a bath, standing under waterfalls, and it is better if
these activities are performed at the shrine. Hence, cleanliness is also valued by the
Shintoists for it is through cleansing that purity can be achieved.

SUBDIVISIONS
There are three main types of Shintoism: The Shrine (Jinja) Shinto, the Sect (Kyoha) Shinto,
and the Folk/Popular (Minzoku) Shinto.
1. The Shrine Shinto - is considered as the purified/traditional type under which the State
and Imperial Shinto belong.
2. The Sect Shinto - refers to the 13 government organized independent sects formed
during the 19th century, focusing on human welfare in this earthly life. Sect Shinto can be
classified into five groups (Bahn 1964):
a. Pure Shinto Sects
b. Confucian Sects
c. Mountain Sects
d. Purification Sects
e. Faith-healing sects
3. Folk or Popular Shinto - is the type of Shintoism practiced in local shrines and considered
to be more ingrained to the people’s rite of passage.

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS

Kojiki
Shintoism is a religion which revolves around the belief in and worship of kami or spirits.
Scholars agree that the concept of kami is difficult to explain, and that even the
Japanese themselves who are Shinto believers cannot provide a definite definition of
kami. According to the Japanese scholar, Motoori Norinaga: kami signifies, in the first
place, the deities of heaven and earth that appear in the ancient records and also the
spirits of the shrines where they are worshipped. It is hardly necessary to say that it includes
human beings. It also includes such objects as birds, beasts, trees, plants, seas, mountains,
and so forth. In ancient usage, anything whatsoever which was outside the ordinary,
which possessed superior power or which was awe-inspiring was called kami. Eminence
here does not refer merely to the superiority of nobility, goodness or meritorious deeds.
Evil and mysterious things, if they are extraordinary and dreadful, are called kami.”
(Holtom 1965)

In general, kami may be classified into three types: the ujigami or clan ancestors; kami
who reside in elements and forces of nature; and the souls of exceptional human beings
who died. Shintoism has a concept of yao yoruzu no kami, or eight hundred myriads of
kami. Some of them are tutelary deities of clans who were later elevated to tutelary
deities of their respective communities while some have no direct connection with the
Shinto faith. Here are some of the most important kami in Japan:

3
KAMI ASSOCIATION/DESCRIPTION
Amaterasu-o-mi-kami Sun Goddess; greatest of the kami; kami of the Ise shrine; ancestor
of the imperial family
Benten music and the arts
Ebisu prosperity; abandoned leech-child of Izanami and Izanagi

Hachiman Archery and war

Izanami Sky god
zanagi Earth goddess
Susanoo wind/storm; Amterasu’s brother
Tenjin education

PRACTICES

Shinto Rites of Passage

Below are the rites of passage observed by the Shintoists from birth to death:
1. Hatsumiyamairi (First Shrine Visit). Newborn children are taken to the shrine
to seek protection from the kami; traditionally, the newborn is taken by the
grandmother because the mother is deemed impure from childbirth; the ritual takes
place on the second day after birth for a boy, and third day for a girl;
2. Shichi-go-san (Seven-Five-Three). Festival observed every 15th of November by
boys of five years and girls of three and seven years of age, who visit the shrine to
give thanks for the protection provided by the kami and to ask for their healthy
growth;
3. Adult’s Day (Seijin Shiki). Observed every 15th of January by the Japanese who
had their 20th birthday the previous year by visiting the shrine to express gratitude
to the kami (20 being the legal age of adulthood in Japan)
4. Wedding Rites. Patterned after the wedding of Crown Prince Yoshihito and
Princess Sado in 1900;
5. Funeral rites. Since death is considered impure, most Japanese funerals are
Buddhist in nature; Shintoism’s funeral practices are called sosai.

TYPES OF WORSHIP
There are various ways by which Shintoists worship kami. They may worship at
home, at Shinto shrines, and during seasonal festivals. Let us take a look at each of
these categories:
At Home (kamidana)
Shintoists often place a small altar (“kami shelf”) inside their houses and this is
where they perform the the following rituals: purification; offertory; clapping their
hands to the kami (who, they believe, could see and hear what they are doing); and
offering of prayers.
At Shinto Shrine
Also called ceremonial worship, this includes a visit to a Shinto shrine which
detaches a worshipper from his or her ordinary environment. In this type of worship,
trees in Shinto shrines, particularly the oldest and most revered ones, have ropes

4
tied to them to signify reverence to the presence of kami. Shrine visits usually take
the following steps: first, one is advised to behave respectfully and calmly (there are
prohibitions for the sick, wounded, or in mourning from visiting shrines because
these people are considered impure). Take the ladle at the purification fountain,
rinse both hands then transfer some water to rinse one’s mouth, then spit the water
beside the fountain (one should not transfer the water directly from the ladle to the
mouth or swallow the water). Then throw a coin at the offering box upon entering
the offering hall, bow deeply twice, then clap hands twice, bow deeply again, use the
gong, and pray for a while. It is believed that using the gong before praying attracts
the attention of the kami.

Seasonal Festivals
Japan celebrates numerous festivals (called matsuri) since almost every shrine has
its own festival. Festivals are usually held once a year to celebrate the shrine’s kami
or a seasonal/historical event. Some of these festivals last for several days, and they
are often done with processions, with the figure Third shinto gateway of the Hikawa
Shrine Shintoism 221 of the local kami carried through dashi or decorated floats,
around town. Some festivals are serene and pensive while most are lively and loud,
with people playing drums and flutes while on parade.
One example of an important festival in Japan is the Great Purification Festival,
which is celebrated in shrines all over Japan every June and December, with priests
waving a cleansing wand over the people, who rub paper dolls on their bodies to
symbolize the transfer of impurities from their bodies to the dolls, then these dolls
are thrown away by the priest.
Another example is the New Year Festival, considered the most extravagant festival
in Japan, which begins on the first day of January and just like other festivals in
Japan, lasts for several days. During this period when people are still on vacation,
they are expected to visit Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. On January 7, an
enormous banquet is held and this signifies the start of New Year and the return to
their daily lives (Brodd 2009)

Activity 1.
Direction: Write the Word True if the statement is true, and False, if is not.

1. Kami signifies the deities of heaven and earth that appear in the ancient records.
2. The way to appease the kami or the spirits, according to Shinto, is through
purification.
3. Kami means “way of the spirits”
4. Shrine Shinto is a mixture of traditions, magic and other practices of the common
people.
5. Shintoism is primarily concerned with humanity’s life on earth than on the afterlife.

5
Activity 2.
Direction: Recreate your own kamidana ( Two-dimensional miniature Shinto Altar ) in an
illustration board, identify its elements and explain the importance of this little shrine to
Japanese everyday Shinto Life.

Rubric for KAMIDANA

CRITERIA DESCRIPTION POINTS
Organization The concept was clearly and creatively conveyed. 10

Content The elements were clearly identified 5

Visual The importance of kamidama in the Japanese’ everyday 5
Presentation Shinto life was explained
TOTAL 20

Activity 3.
Directions: Show your appreciation on the relevance of the core teachings,
fundamental belief and practices of Shintoism to your personal beliefs by answering the
following questions.

1. Which of the core teachings of Shintoism you appreciate the most? Cite at least
two (2).
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Give reasons for your appreciation of such core teachings.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Cite a situation based on personal experience in which this core teaching/s is

evident.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

6
 Formative Test

Direction: Answer the following questions. Write only the letter of the
correct answer.

1. What are sacred Scriptures of Shinto?

a. Kami at kojiki c. kojiki and Nikongi

b. kamidama d. misogi and Nikongi

2. This is considered as small altar inside the houses of Japanese.

a. Shrine c. kamidama
b. Nirmanakaya d. shinto

3. This is a celebration in Shintoism in which is celebrated in shrines all over

Japan every June and December.

a. Matsuri c. the Great Purification Festival

b. New Year Festival, d. Festival

4. Observed every 15th of January by the Japanese who had their 20th
birthday the previous year by visiting the shrine to express gratitude to the
kami (20 being the legal age of adulthood in Japan)

a. Hatsumiyamairi c. Shichi-go-san
b. Adult’s Day d. Wedding Rites

5. It is considered as the worst form of impurity in Shintoism.

a. Wedding c. dealth
b. Menstruation d. child-birth

7
 Answer Key

Activity 1.

1. True 2. True 3. True 4. True 5. True

Activity 2.

Answers may vary

Activity 3.

Answers may vary

FORMATIVE TEST

1. C
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. C

References

Book

⮚ Jerome A. Ong and Mary Dorothy Dl. Jose . INTRODUCTION TO WORLD RELIGION
& BELIEF SYSTEMS Textbook. Vibal Group, Inc. 2016