‌

Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
‌
Lesson‌‌14.2‌ ‌
Shinto‌‌Customs‌‌and‌‌Traditions‌ ‌
‌
Contents‌ ‌
Introduction‌ 1‌ ‌

Learning‌‌Objectives‌ 2‌ ‌

Explore‌ 2‌ ‌

Discover‌ 4‌ ‌
Shinto‌‌Doctrines‌ 5‌ ‌
Kami‌ 5‌ ‌
Divinity‌‌of‌‌Emperors‌ 7‌ ‌
Shinto‌‌Customs‌‌and‌‌Traditions‌ 9‌ ‌
Visiting‌‌Shrines‌ 9‌ ‌
Purification‌‌Rites‌‌(Harae)‌ 9‌ ‌
Ritual‌‌Dances‌‌(Kagura)‌ 9‌ ‌
Prayers‌‌and‌‌Offerings‌ 10‌ ‌
Ceremonies‌‌and‌‌Festivals‌ 11‌ ‌

Wrap-Up‌ 12‌ ‌

Try‌‌This!‌ 13‌ ‌

Challenge‌‌Yourself‌ 15‌ ‌

Reflect‌‌on‌‌This‌ 17‌ ‌

Photo‌‌Credits‌ 17‌ ‌

Bibliography‌ 18‌ ‌
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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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Lesson‌‌14.2‌

Shinto‌‌Customs‌‌and‌‌Traditions‌ ‌
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Introduction‌ ‌
The‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌centers‌‌on‌‌the‌‌‌Japanese‌‌‌devotion‌‌to‌‌invisible‌‌spiritual‌‌beings‌‌and‌‌
powers‌‌called‌‌‌kami‌,‌‌‌shrines‌,‌‌and‌‌‌different‌‌‌ceremonies‌.‌‌Shintoists‌‌do‌‌not‌‌intend‌‌to‌‌explain‌‌
the‌ ‌world‌ ‌and‌ ‌its‌ ‌oddities.‌ ‌What‌ ‌matters‌ ‌to‌ ‌them‌ ‌are‌‌rituals‌‌that‌‌enable‌‌human‌‌beings‌‌to‌‌
communicate‌‌with‌k‌ ami‌.‌ ‌
‌
Kami‌ ‌are‌ ‌not‌ ‌gods.‌ ‌They‌ ‌are‌ ‌essences‌ ‌that‌ ‌are‌ ‌concerned‌ ‌with‌ ‌human‌ ‌beings.‌ ‌They‌‌
appreciate‌ ‌the‌ ‌human‌‌interest‌‌in‌‌them‌‌and‌‌want‌‌people‌‌to‌‌be‌‌happy.‌‌In‌‌return,‌‌if‌‌they‌‌are‌‌
appropriately‌‌treated,‌‌they‌‌will‌‌occur‌‌in‌‌people's‌‌lives‌‌to‌‌bring‌‌advantages‌‌like‌‌sound‌‌health,‌‌
thriving‌‌business,‌‌and‌‌good‌‌exam‌‌results.‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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Shintoism‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌very‌ ‌local‌ ‌Japanese‌ ‌belief‌ ‌system‌ ‌in‌ ‌which‌ ‌adherents‌ ‌are‌ ‌likely‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌‌
concerned‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌local‌ ‌shrine‌ ‌rather‌ ‌than‌ ‌the‌ ‌faith‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌whole.‌ ‌Today,‌ ‌many‌‌Japanese‌‌
have‌‌a‌‌small‌‌shrine-altar‌‌in‌‌their‌‌homes.‌ ‌
‌
‌
‌

Learning‌‌Objectives‌ ‌ DepEd‌‌Learning‌‌Competency‌ ‌
At‌t‌ he‌e
‌ nd‌o
‌ f‌t‌ his‌l‌esson,‌y
‌ ou‌s‌ hould‌b
‌ e‌a
‌ ble‌t‌ o‌‌
In‌‌this‌‌lesson,‌‌you‌‌should‌‌be‌‌able‌‌to‌‌do‌‌the‌‌ evaluate‌t‌ hat‌t‌ he‌c‌ ore‌t‌ eaching‌o
‌ f‌S
‌ hintoism‌i‌s‌t‌ o‌‌
following:‌ ‌ worship‌t‌ he‌a
‌ ncestors‌a
‌ nd‌f‌ orces‌o
‌ f‌n
‌ ature‌t‌ o‌‌
achieve‌h
‌ armony‌i‌n‌a
‌ ll‌d
‌ imensions‌‌
● Understand‌‌Shinto‌‌doctrines‌‌
(HUMBB_WRB12-II/IVh-14.3).‌ ‌
such‌‌as‌‌belief‌‌in‌k‌ ami‌‌‌and‌‌the‌‌ ‌

divinity‌‌of‌‌emperors.‌‌ ‌
● Discuss‌‌main‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌
traditions‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌
system.‌ ‌
‌
‌

Explore‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ Picture‌‌Analysis‌ ‌ 10‌ ‌minutes‌

Instructions‌ ‌
Study‌‌the‌‌following‌‌images‌‌and‌‌explain‌‌what‌‌is‌‌happening‌‌in‌‌each.‌ ‌
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1.‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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2.‌ ‌

3.‌‌ ‌

4.‌ ‌

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Guide‌‌Questions‌ ‌
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1. What‌‌is‌‌common‌‌among‌‌the‌‌images‌‌presented?‌ ‌
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________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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2. How‌‌do‌‌such‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions‌‌help‌‌in‌‌the‌‌practice‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system?‌ ‌
________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

3. In‌‌what‌‌way‌‌do‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions‌‌make‌‌Shintoism‌‌unique?‌
________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

Discover‌ ‌
‌

For‌‌over‌‌2,000‌‌years,‌‌Shintoism‌‌has‌‌greatly‌‌influenced‌‌
‌ ords‌‌to‌‌Remember‌ ‌
W
Japanese‌ ‌culture‌ ‌and‌ ‌is‌ ‌often‌ ‌called‌ ‌the‌ ‌Japanese‌‌
● divinity‌‌—
‌ ‌‌state‌‌of‌‌
religion‌.‌ ‌However,‌ ‌some‌ ‌scholars‌ ‌believe‌ ‌that‌‌
being‌‌a‌‌god;‌‌a‌‌god‌‌or‌‌
Shintoism‌ ‌is‌ ‌more‌ ‌than‌ ‌just‌ ‌a‌ ‌religion,‌ ‌but‌ ‌more‌ ‌like‌‌
goddess‌ ‌
the‌‌Japanese‌‌way‌‌of‌‌looking‌‌at‌‌the‌‌world.‌ ‌
● kami‌‌—
‌ ‌‌Shinto‌‌gods‌‌
‌
who‌‌are‌‌said‌‌to‌‌
Shintoists‌‌value‌‌their‌‌rituals‌‌so‌‌much‌‌that‌‌they‌‌do‌‌not‌‌
reside‌‌in‌‌nature‌ ‌
even‌ ‌look‌ ‌at‌ ‌Shintoism‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌religion.‌ ‌For‌ ‌them,‌ ‌it‌ ‌is‌‌
● Musubi‌—
‌ ‌‌power‌‌that‌‌
simply‌ ‌an‌ ‌aspect‌ ‌of‌ ‌Japanese‌ ‌life.‌ ‌Due‌ ‌to‌ ‌this,‌‌
gives‌‌life‌‌and‌‌creates‌‌
Shintoism‌ ‌was‌ ‌able‌ ‌to‌ ‌coexist‌ ‌in‌ ‌Japan‌ ‌with‌ ‌another‌‌
harmony.‌‌ ‌
impactful‌‌world‌‌religion,‌‌which‌‌is‌‌Buddhism.‌ ‌
● Makoto‌—
‌ ‌‌Will‌‌that‌‌is‌‌
‌
truthful‌‌ ‌
Being‌ ‌considered‌ ‌as‌ ‌an‌ ‌aspect‌ ‌of‌ ‌Japanese‌ ‌life,‌‌
● akitsu‌‌mikami‌—
‌ ‌‌
Shintoism‌ ‌touches‌ ‌politics,‌ ‌society‌‌and‌‌family‌‌life,‌‌the‌‌
Being‌‌which‌‌
arts‌ ‌(specifically‌ ‌drama‌ ‌and‌ ‌poetry),‌ ‌sports‌ ‌(through‌‌
manifests‌‌the‌‌ ‌
Sumo‌ ‌wrestling),‌ ‌and‌ ‌of‌ ‌course,‌ ‌spirituality.‌ ‌Many‌‌
events‌‌in‌‌Japan‌‌would‌‌involve‌‌a‌‌brief‌‌Shinto‌‌ritual.‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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How‌‌do‌‌Shinto‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions‌‌impacted‌‌
Japanese‌‌culture‌‌and‌‌the‌‌rest‌‌of‌‌the‌‌world?‌ ‌

‌
‌
Shinto‌‌Doctrines‌
Even‌‌though‌‌many‌‌Japanese‌‌live‌‌out‌‌numerous‌‌Shintoist‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions‌‌throughout‌‌
their‌ ‌lives,‌ ‌they‌ ‌actually‌ ‌consider‌ ‌themselves‌ ‌as‌ ‌devotees‌ ‌to‌ ‌their‌ ‌local‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌shrine‌ ‌and‌‌
kami‌.‌‌They‌‌do‌‌not‌‌see‌‌themselves‌‌as‌‌contributors‌‌to‌‌a‌‌countrywide‌‌religion‌‌or‌‌belief‌‌system.‌ ‌
‌
Shintoists,‌ ‌though,‌ ‌adhere‌ ‌to‌ ‌doctrines‌ ‌that‌ ‌guide‌ ‌them‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌practice‌ ‌of‌ ‌their‌ ‌faith.‌ ‌You‌‌
learned‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌previous‌ ‌lesson‌ ‌that‌ ‌these‌ ‌doctrines‌ ‌are‌ ‌found‌ ‌in‌ ‌sacred‌ ‌texts‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌‌the‌‌
Kojiki‌‌and‌‌‌Nihon-gi‌.‌‌Some‌‌of‌‌these‌‌doctrines‌‌are‌‌about‌‌the‌‌belief‌‌in‌‌‌kami‌‌and‌‌the‌‌divinity‌‌of‌‌
emperors.‌ ‌
‌
Kami‌ ‌
The‌‌best‌‌English‌‌translation‌‌of‌‌‌kami‌‌is‌‌‌spirits‌,‌‌but‌‌this‌‌is‌‌an‌‌over-simplification‌‌of‌‌a‌‌complex‌‌
concept.‌ ‌Shintoism‌ ‌teaches‌ ‌that‌ ‌kami‌ ‌manifest‌ ‌themselves‌ ‌in‌ ‌elements‌ ‌of‌ ‌nature‌ ‌like‌ ‌the‌‌
sun,‌ ‌moon,‌ ‌stars,‌ ‌and‌ ‌trees.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌why‌ ‌the‌ ‌early‌ ‌Yayoi‌ ‌people‌ ‌worshiped‌ ‌nature.‌ ‌Another‌‌
reason‌‌why‌‌followers‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌worship‌‌‌kami‌‌is‌‌that‌‌they‌‌believe‌‌that‌‌the‌‌
gods‌‌closely‌‌resemble‌‌human‌‌beings‌‌and‌‌answer‌‌prayers.‌ ‌
‌
Concept‌‌of‌K
‌ ami‌ ‌
The‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌associates‌‌‌kami‌‌with‌‌qualities‌‌that‌‌natural‌‌beings‌‌possess.‌‌It‌‌is‌‌why‌‌
Shintoists‌ ‌believe‌ ‌that‌ ‌kami‌ ‌resides‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌‌things‌‌that‌‌one‌‌sees‌‌in‌‌his‌‌or‌‌her‌‌surroundings.‌‌
However,‌ ‌only‌ ‌those‌ ‌that‌ ‌exhibit‌ ‌extraordinary‌ ‌power,‌ ‌like‌ ‌storms‌ ‌and‌ ‌earthquakes‌ ‌or‌‌
incredible‌‌physical‌‌characteristics‌‌like‌‌those‌‌that‌‌lakes‌‌and‌‌mountains‌‌have,‌‌can‌‌be‌‌referred‌‌
to‌‌as‌‌‌kami‌.‌‌The‌‌Shinto‌‌religion‌‌also‌‌teaches‌‌that‌‌it‌‌is‌‌the‌‌‌kami‌‌that‌‌makes‌‌a‌‌thing‌‌what‌‌it‌‌is.‌‌It‌‌
is‌‌because‌‌of‌‌this‌‌that‌‌‌kami‌‌are‌‌considered‌‌to‌‌be‌‌sacred‌‌or‌‌mystical.‌‌The‌‌‌kami‌‌also‌‌possess‌‌
what‌‌is‌‌referred‌‌to‌‌as‌‌‌musubi‌‌and‌‌‌makoto‌.‌‌The‌‌‌musubi‌‌is‌‌a‌‌power‌‌that‌‌gives‌‌life‌‌and‌‌creates‌‌
harmony,‌‌while‌‌the‌m
‌ akoto‌‌‌is‌‌a‌‌truthful‌‌will.‌ ‌
‌

Kami‌‌‌as‌‌God‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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In‌‌a‌‌19th‌‌century‌‌translation‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Christian‌‌Bible‌‌into‌‌Japanese,‌‌the‌‌word‌‌‌kami‌‌was‌‌used‌‌as‌‌
the‌‌Japanese‌‌translation‌‌to‌‌God.‌‌This‌‌incident‌‌caused‌‌a‌‌great‌‌deal‌‌of‌‌confusion‌‌even‌‌among‌‌
the‌ ‌Japanese.‌ ‌In‌ ‌1990,‌ ‌Shinto‌‌theologian‌‌Ueda‌‌Kenji‌‌estimated‌‌that‌‌nearly‌‌65%‌‌of‌‌entering‌‌
students‌ ‌now‌ ‌associate‌ ‌the‌ ‌Japanese‌ ‌term‌ ‌kami‌ ‌with‌ ‌some‌ ‌counterpart‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Western‌‌
concept‌‌of‌‌a‌‌supreme‌‌being.‌ ‌
‌
Kami‌‌‌as‌‌beings‌ ‌
The‌‌concept‌‌of‌‌‌kami‌‌is‌‌challenging‌‌to‌‌explain.‌‌Shintoists‌‌believe‌‌that‌‌this‌‌is‌‌because‌‌human‌‌
beings‌ ‌are‌ ‌simply‌ ‌incapable‌ ‌of‌ ‌forming‌ ‌an‌ ‌accurate‌ ‌perception‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌nature‌ ‌of‌ ‌kami‌.‌ ‌It‌‌
cannot‌‌be‌‌compared‌‌with‌‌the‌‌gods‌‌of‌‌Western‌‌religions‌‌because‌‌of‌‌the‌‌following‌‌reasons:‌ ‌
● kami‌‌‌are‌‌not‌‌divine‌‌‌like‌‌the‌‌supernatural‌‌and‌‌omnipotent‌‌gods‌‌and‌‌goddesses‌‌
found‌‌in‌‌many‌‌religions‌ ‌
● kami‌‌‌are‌‌not‌‌omnipotent‌ ‌
● kami‌‌‌are‌‌not‌‌perfect‌,‌‌for‌‌they‌‌sometimes‌‌make‌‌mistakes‌‌and‌‌misbehave‌ ‌
● kami‌‌‌are‌‌not‌‌intrinsically‌‌different‌‌from‌‌human‌‌beings‌‌or‌‌nature‌b
‌ ecause‌‌they‌‌
are‌‌just‌‌higher‌‌manifestations‌‌of‌‌life‌‌energy;‌‌an‌‌extraordinary‌‌kind‌ ‌
● kami‌‌‌do‌‌not‌‌exist‌‌in‌‌a‌‌miraculous‌‌universe‌‌‌as‌‌they‌‌live‌‌in‌‌the‌‌same‌‌world‌‌as‌‌
human‌‌beings‌‌and‌‌the‌‌world‌‌of‌‌nature‌
‌

‌
Fig.‌‌1.‌‌T
‌ he‌‌Itsukushima‌‌Shinto‌‌Shrine,‌‌Miyajima‌‌Island,‌‌Hiroshima‌‌Prefecture,‌‌Japan.‌‌This‌‌
shrine‌‌is‌‌believed‌‌to‌‌be‌‌where‌‌the‌k‌ ami‌‌‌dwell‌‌and‌‌hosts‌‌many‌‌ceremonies‌‌and‌‌festivals.‌ ‌

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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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Check‌‌Your‌‌Progress‌ ‌
Are‌ ‌the‌ ‌kami‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌less‌‌important‌‌compared‌‌
‌
to‌‌deities‌‌of‌‌other‌‌faiths?‌‌Why‌‌or‌‌why‌‌not?‌ ‌
______________________________________________________________________‌
______________________________________________________________________‌
______________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

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Divinity‌o
‌ f‌E
‌ mperors‌ ‌
Many‌ ‌cultures‌ ‌have‌ ‌associated‌ divinity‌ ‌or‌ ‌great‌ ‌spiritual‌ ‌gifts‌ ‌with‌ ‌their‌ ‌rulers.‌ ‌The‌‌
pharaohs‌ ‌of‌ ‌Ancient‌ ‌Egypt‌ ‌and‌ ‌emperors‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Roman‌‌Empire‌‌were‌‌treated‌‌as‌‌gods,‌‌and‌‌
medieval‌ ‌kings‌ ‌like‌ ‌England's‌ ‌Henry‌ ‌VI‌ ‌were‌ ‌viewed‌ ‌as‌ ‌having‌ ‌the‌ ‌ability‌ ‌to‌ ‌cure‌ ‌diseases‌‌
with‌‌the‌‌royal‌‌touch.‌ ‌
‌
Westerners‌ ‌often‌ ‌misunderstand‌ ‌the‌ ‌Japanese‌‌concept‌‌of‌‌the‌‌divinity‌‌of‌‌the‌‌emperor.‌‌Not‌‌
the‌ ‌emperor‌ ‌nor‌ ‌most‌ ‌of‌ ‌his‌ ‌subjects‌ ‌ever‌‌thought‌‌he‌‌was‌‌a‌‌god‌‌in‌‌the‌‌sense‌‌of‌‌being‌‌an‌‌
almighty‌‌supreme‌‌being.‌ ‌
‌
Status‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Emperor‌ ‌
Shintoists‌ ‌believe‌ ‌that‌ ‌their‌ ‌emperors‌ ‌descended‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌kami‌ ‌like‌ ‌Amaterasu‌.‌ ‌One‌ ‌of‌‌
these‌ ‌is‌ ‌the‌ ‌first‌ ‌emperor‌ ‌of‌ ‌Japan,‌ ‌Emperor‌‌Jimmu‌,‌‌who‌‌is‌‌said‌‌to‌‌have‌‌descended‌‌from‌‌
the‌‌goddess‌‌herself.‌‌This,‌‌however,‌‌does‌‌not‌‌mean‌‌that‌‌the‌‌emperor‌‌is‌‌a‌‌god.‌‌Instead,‌‌being‌‌
a‌ ‌descendant‌‌of‌‌a‌‌god‌‌gives‌‌the‌‌emperor‌‌the‌‌power‌‌or‌‌authority‌‌to‌‌perform‌‌certain‌‌rituals‌‌
or‌ ‌devotions‌ ‌to‌‌ensure‌‌that‌‌the‌‌‌kami‌‌would‌‌continuously‌‌watch‌‌over‌‌Japan‌‌and‌‌ensure‌‌the‌‌
country's‌‌prosperity.‌ ‌
‌

Emperor‌‌as‌‌‌Akitsu‌‌Mikami‌ ‌
During‌ ‌the‌ ‌Meiji‌ ‌Period,‌ ‌the‌ ‌emperor‌ ‌was‌ ‌not‌ ‌recognized‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌god;‌ ‌and‌ ‌had‌ ‌only‌ ‌a‌ ‌little‌‌
power.‌ ‌The‌ ‌divine‌ ‌status‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌emperor‌ ‌only‌ ‌came‌‌to‌‌be‌‌recognized‌‌during‌‌World‌‌War‌‌II.‌‌
The‌ ‌emperor,‌ ‌however,‌ ‌was‌ ‌still‌ ‌not‌ ‌looked‌ ‌upon‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌god‌ ‌but‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌symbol‌ ‌of‌ ‌Japanese‌‌
patriotism.‌‌Thus,‌‌the‌‌emperor‌‌is‌‌seen‌‌more‌‌as‌‌an‌‌‌akitsu‌‌mikami‌‌‌or‌‌‌a‌‌being‌‌that‌‌manifests‌‌
the‌k
‌ ami's‌‌‌qualities‌.‌‌ ‌
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End‌‌of‌‌Divinity‌ ‌
After‌ ‌Japan's‌ ‌defeat‌ ‌during‌ ‌World‌ ‌War‌ ‌II,‌ ‌the‌ ‌emperor,‌ ‌particularly‌ ‌Emperor‌ ‌Hirohito‌,‌‌
renounced‌‌his‌‌divinity.‌‌When‌‌the‌‌emperor‌‌gave‌‌up‌‌his‌‌"divinity"‌‌on‌‌the‌‌orders‌‌of‌‌the‌‌USA,‌‌in‌‌
the‌ ‌Imperial‌ ‌rescript‌ ‌of‌ ‌January‌‌1,‌‌1946,‌‌he‌‌actually‌‌gave‌‌up‌‌nothing‌‌that‌‌he‌‌had‌‌ever‌‌had.‌‌
Still,‌ ‌he‌ ‌simply‌ ‌restated‌ ‌an‌ ‌earlier‌ ‌traditional‌ ‌set‌ ‌of‌ ‌beliefs‌ ‌about‌ ‌the‌ ‌Japanese‌ ‌Imperial‌‌
family.‌ ‌
‌

‌
Fig.‌‌2.‌‌H
‌ irohito‌‌(Emperor‌‌Showa)‌‌was‌‌emperor‌‌of‌‌Japan‌‌from‌‌1926‌‌until‌‌he‌‌died‌‌in‌‌1989.‌ ‌
He‌‌was‌‌the‌‌longest-reigning‌‌monarch‌‌in‌‌Japan’s‌‌history.‌ ‌
‌
‌

Check‌‌Your‌‌Progress‌ ‌
Are‌‌emperors‌‌considered‌‌as‌‌gods‌‌in‌‌Shintoism?‌‌Why‌‌or‌‌why‌‌not?‌ ‌
‌

______________________________________________________________________‌
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Unit‌‌14:‌‌Shintoism‌ ‌
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Shinto‌‌Customs‌‌and‌‌Traditions‌ ‌ ‌
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Visiting‌S
‌ hrines‌ ‌
There‌‌are‌‌many‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions‌‌that‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌practice.‌‌One‌‌of‌‌these‌‌
is‌ ‌visiting‌ ‌shrines‌ ‌to‌ ‌pray‌ ‌for‌ ‌a‌ ‌deceased‌ ‌loved‌ ‌one‌ ‌or‌ ‌ask‌ ‌favor‌ ‌from‌ ‌the‌ ‌gods.‌ ‌Some‌‌
procedures‌ ‌are‌ ‌followed‌ ‌in‌ ‌shrines,‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌observing‌‌silence‌‌inside‌‌and‌‌purifying‌‌oneself‌‌
before‌ ‌entering.‌ ‌These‌ ‌are‌ ‌done‌ ‌to‌ ‌rid‌ ‌oneself‌ ‌of‌ ‌any‌ ‌object‌ ‌of‌ ‌impurity‌ ‌or‌ ‌kegare‌.‌‌
Purification‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌‌form‌‌of‌‌a‌‌prayer‌‌from‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌priest,‌‌using‌‌water‌‌or‌‌salt,‌‌or‌‌a‌‌
mass‌‌cleansing‌‌ceremony.‌ ‌
‌
Purification‌R
‌ ites‌(‌ ‌Harae‌)‌ ‌
For‌‌Shintoists,‌‌‌purity‌‌can‌‌be‌‌restored‌‌through‌‌specific‌‌Shinto‌‌rituals‌‌and‌‌personal‌‌methods‌‌
that‌‌cleanse‌‌the‌‌body‌‌and‌‌the‌‌mind.‌‌‌This‌‌ritual‌‌ceremony‌‌can‌‌be‌‌performed‌‌through‌‌any‌‌of‌‌
the‌‌following‌‌methods:‌‌ ‌
● Ohnusa‌‌and‌‌Haraigushi‌‌-‌‌‌Ohnusa‌‌involves‌‌transferring‌‌impurity‌‌from‌‌a‌‌person‌‌to‌‌an‌‌
object‌ ‌and‌ ‌destroying‌ ‌it‌ ‌afterward.‌ ‌The‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌priest‌ ‌uses‌ ‌the‌ ‌Haraigushi‌,‌ ‌a‌‌
purification‌‌wand‌‌made‌‌of‌‌a‌‌stick‌‌with‌‌strips‌‌of‌‌paper‌‌attached‌‌to‌‌a‌‌rope‌‌or‌‌linen.‌ ‌
● Misogi‌ ‌-‌ ‌This‌ ‌purification‌ ‌method‌ ‌involves‌ ‌submerging‌ ‌oneself‌ ‌completely‌ ‌under‌ ‌a‌‌
body‌ ‌of‌ ‌water‌ ‌such‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌river‌ ‌or‌ ‌waterfall.‌ ‌Running‌ ‌water‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌found‌ ‌at‌ ‌the‌‌
entrance‌‌to‌‌shrines‌‌where‌‌visitors‌‌can‌‌wash‌‌their‌‌hands‌‌or‌‌mouth.‌ ‌
● Imi‌‌-‌‌‌This‌‌‌involves‌‌applying‌‌taboos‌‌to‌‌certain‌‌situations,‌‌such‌‌as‌‌not‌‌visiting‌‌a‌‌shrine‌‌
after‌‌a‌‌family‌‌member‌‌has‌‌passed‌‌away,‌‌since‌‌death‌‌is‌‌considered‌‌impure.‌ ‌
● Oharae‌ ‌-‌ ‌This‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌mass‌ ‌purification‌ ‌performed‌ ‌in‌ ‌shrines,‌ ‌also‌ ‌known‌ ‌as‌ ‌the‌‌
ceremony‌‌of‌‌great‌‌purification‌.‌ ‌
‌
Ritual‌D
‌ ances‌(‌ K
‌ agura‌)‌ ‌
Aside‌‌from‌‌going‌‌to‌‌shrines,‌‌followers‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌system‌‌practice‌‌‌kagura‌‌or‌‌‌ritual‌‌
dances‌.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌type‌ ‌of‌ ‌dance‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌performed‌ ‌to‌ ‌appease‌ ‌the‌ ‌kami‌ ‌and‌ ‌energize‌ ‌them.‌‌
During‌ ‌the‌ ‌early‌ ‌days,‌ ‌this‌ ‌dance‌ ‌was‌ ‌performed‌ ‌to‌‌encourage‌‌Amaterasu‌‌to‌‌come‌‌out‌‌of‌‌
her‌‌cave‌‌to‌‌restore‌‌light‌‌to‌‌the‌‌universe.‌ ‌
‌

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Fig.‌‌3.‌‌P
‌ urifying‌‌rituals‌‌are‌‌habitually‌‌conducted‌‌at‌‌the‌‌start‌‌of‌‌Shinto‌‌religious‌‌ceremonies.‌ ‌

‌
Prayers‌a
‌ nd‌O
‌ fferings‌ ‌
As‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌customs‌ ‌and‌ ‌traditions,‌ ‌followers‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌religion‌ ‌make‌ ‌offerings‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌‌
kami‌.‌‌Some‌‌of‌‌these‌‌prayers‌‌and‌‌offerings‌‌are‌‌the‌‌following:‌ ‌
● Norito‌‌-‌‌‌These‌‌are‌‌prayers‌‌said‌‌by‌‌Shinto‌‌priests‌‌as‌‌well‌‌as‌‌followers‌‌of‌‌this‌‌religion.‌‌
It‌ ‌has‌ ‌a‌ ‌complicated‌ ‌prose‌‌structure‌‌and‌‌usually‌‌contains‌‌praise‌‌for‌‌‌kami,‌‌requests,‌‌
and‌ ‌a‌ ‌list‌ ‌of‌ ‌offerings.‌ ‌This‌ ‌prayer‌ ‌is‌ ‌also‌ ‌said‌ ‌as‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌purification‌ ‌process‌‌
before‌‌one‌‌enters‌‌a‌‌shrine.‌ ‌
● Ema‌‌-‌‌‌These‌‌are‌‌small‌‌wooden‌‌plaques‌‌where‌‌visitors‌‌to‌‌a‌‌shrine‌‌write‌‌their‌‌prayers‌‌
to‌ ‌kami‌.‌ ‌These‌ ‌contain‌ ‌small‌ ‌drawings‌ ‌or‌ ‌designs‌ ‌and‌ ‌ask‌ ‌favor‌ ‌from‌ ‌kami‌ ‌for‌‌
success,‌‌happiness,‌‌and‌‌good‌‌health.‌ ‌
● Ofuda‌ ‌-‌ ‌This‌ ‌is‌ ‌an‌ ‌amulet‌ ‌where‌ ‌the‌ ‌name‌ ‌of‌‌a‌‌‌kami‌‌is‌‌inscribed‌‌and‌‌is‌‌believed‌‌to‌‌
bring‌ ‌luck‌ ‌and‌ ‌safety‌ ‌to‌ ‌its‌ ‌owner.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌acquired‌ ‌from‌ ‌a‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌shrine‌ ‌and‌‌hung‌‌in‌‌
one’s‌‌home.‌ ‌
● Omikuji‌ ‌-‌ ‌These‌ ‌are‌ ‌small‌ ‌slips‌ ‌of‌ ‌paper‌ ‌where‌ ‌a‌ ‌fortune‌ ‌is‌‌written.‌‌Adherents‌‌can‌‌
buy‌‌it‌‌from‌‌a‌‌Shinto‌‌shrine‌‌for‌‌a‌‌small‌‌amount‌‌of‌‌money.‌ ‌
‌
Even‌ ‌though‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌rituals‌ ‌may‌ ‌seem‌ ‌very‌ ‌ancient,‌ ‌many‌ ‌are‌ ‌actually‌ ‌modern‌ ‌revivals‌ ‌or‌‌
even‌‌modern‌‌inventions.‌ ‌
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Fig.‌‌4.‌‌S
‌ ome‌‌of‌‌Shintoism’s‌‌most‌‌known‌‌symbols‌‌for‌‌prayers‌‌and‌‌offerings:‌n
‌ orito‌‌‌(upper‌‌
left),‌e‌ ma‌‌‌(upper‌‌right),‌o
‌ fuda‌‌‌(lower‌‌left),‌‌and‌o
‌ mikuji‌‌‌(lower‌‌right).‌ ‌
‌
‌
Ceremonies‌a
‌ nd‌F
‌ estivals‌ ‌
Holding‌‌ceremonies‌‌and‌‌festivals‌‌are‌‌also‌‌part‌‌of‌‌Shinto‌‌customs‌‌and‌‌traditions.‌‌Being‌‌part‌‌
of‌‌these‌‌allows‌‌one‌‌to‌‌strengthen‌‌a‌‌personal‌‌relationship‌‌with‌‌‌kami‌‌‌and‌‌ensure‌‌security‌‌and‌‌
fortune.‌‌Some‌‌of‌‌the‌‌ceremonies‌‌and‌‌festivals‌‌are‌‌the‌‌following:‌ ‌
● Hatsumiyamairi‌‌-‌T
‌ his‌‌involves‌‌bringing‌‌a‌‌newly‌‌born‌‌child‌‌to‌‌the‌‌shrine‌‌to‌‌ensure‌‌
that‌‌he‌‌or‌‌she‌‌is‌‌protected‌‌by‌‌k‌ ami‌.‌ ‌
● Shichigosan‌.‌‌This‌‌ritual,‌‌carried‌‌out‌‌every‌‌year‌‌on‌‌the‌‌Sunday‌‌nearest‌‌to‌‌November‌‌
15,‌‌involves‌‌taking‌‌one’s‌‌sons‌‌aged‌‌three‌‌and‌‌five‌‌and‌‌daughters‌‌aged‌‌three‌‌and‌‌
seven‌‌to‌‌the‌‌shrine‌‌to‌‌thank‌k‌ ami‌‌‌for‌‌a‌‌healthy‌‌childhood‌‌and‌‌to‌‌ask‌‌for‌‌a‌‌promising‌‌
and‌‌successful‌‌future.‌ ‌

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Check‌‌Your‌‌Progress‌ ‌
Why‌‌is‌‌it‌‌important‌‌for‌‌one‌‌to‌‌participate‌‌in‌‌Shinto‌‌religious‌‌
‌
customs‌‌and‌‌traditions?‌ ‌
______________________________________________________________________‌
______________________________________________________________________‌
______________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

‌
‌

‌Wrap-Up‌ ‌
_____________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌
● The‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌religion‌ ‌associates‌ ‌kami‌ ‌with‌ ‌qualities‌ ‌that‌ ‌beings‌ ‌possess‌.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌why‌‌
Shintoists‌ ‌believe‌ ‌that‌ ‌kami‌ ‌resides‌ ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌things‌ ‌that‌ ‌one‌ ‌sees‌ ‌in‌ ‌his‌ ‌or‌ ‌her‌‌
surroundings‌.‌‌ ‌
● Being‌ ‌a‌ ‌descendant‌ ‌of‌‌a‌‌god‌‌‌gives‌‌an‌‌‌emperor‌‌the‌‌power‌‌or‌‌authority‌‌to‌‌perform‌‌
certain‌‌rituals‌‌or‌‌devotions‌‌to‌‌ensure‌‌that‌‌‌kami‌‌would‌‌continuously‌‌watch‌‌over‌‌Japan‌‌
and‌‌ensure‌‌the‌‌country’s‌‌prosperity.‌ ‌
● Some‌ ‌practices‌ ‌that‌ ‌are‌ ‌observed‌ ‌in‌ ‌Shinto‌‌shrines,‌‌such‌‌as‌‌keeping‌‌silence‌‌inside‌‌
and‌ ‌purifying‌ ‌oneself‌ ‌before‌ ‌entering.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌done‌ ‌to‌ ‌rid‌ ‌oneself‌ ‌of‌ ‌any‌ ‌object‌ ‌of‌‌
impurity‌‌‌or‌k
‌ egare‌.‌ ‌
● Aside‌ ‌from‌ ‌going‌ ‌to‌ ‌shrines,‌ ‌followers‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌religion‌‌practice‌‌the‌‌‌kagura‌‌or‌‌
ritual‌ ‌dances‌.‌ ‌It‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌type‌ ‌of‌ ‌dance‌ ‌that‌ ‌is‌ ‌performed‌ ‌to‌ ‌appease‌ ‌the‌ ‌kami‌ ‌and‌‌
energize‌‌them.‌ ‌ ‌
● Although‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌rituals‌ ‌may‌ ‌seem‌ ‌very‌ ‌ancient,‌ ‌many‌‌are‌‌actually‌‌modern‌‌revivals‌‌
or‌‌even‌‌modern‌‌inventions.‌ ‌
● Being‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌Shinto‌ ‌ceremony‌ ‌or‌ ‌festival‌ ‌allows‌ ‌one‌ ‌to‌ ‌strengthen‌ ‌a‌ ‌personal‌‌
relationship‌‌with‌‌the‌k‌ ami‌‌a
‌ nd‌‌ensure‌‌security‌‌and‌‌fortune.‌ ‌
_____________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌
‌
‌
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Try‌‌This!‌ ‌
A. Fill‌‌in‌‌the‌‌Blanks.‌S
‌ upply‌‌the‌‌missing‌‌words‌‌to‌‌make‌‌the‌‌statement‌‌correct.‌ ‌
‌

________________‌ 1. The‌‌____________‌‌is‌‌a‌‌power‌‌that‌‌gives‌‌life‌‌and‌‌creates‌‌
harmony.‌‌ ‌

________________‌ 2. The‌‌____________‌‌is‌‌an‌‌amulet‌‌on‌‌which‌‌the‌‌name‌‌of‌‌a‌k‌ ami‌‌‌is‌‌

inscribed‌‌and‌ ‌is‌‌believed‌‌to‌‌bring‌‌luck‌‌and‌‌safety‌‌to‌‌its‌‌
owner.‌ ‌

________________‌ 3. Emperor‌‌____________‌‌renounced‌‌his‌‌divinity‌‌as‌‌an‌‌emperor‌‌at‌‌
the‌‌end‌‌of‌‌World‌‌War‌‌II.‌‌ ‌

________________‌ 4. The‌‌____________‌‌involves‌‌applying‌‌taboos‌‌to‌‌certain‌‌situations,‌‌
such‌‌as‌‌not‌‌visiting‌‌a‌‌shrine‌‌after‌‌a‌‌member‌‌of‌‌the‌‌family‌‌has‌‌
passed‌‌away.‌‌ ‌

________________‌ 5. The‌‌____________‌‌ritual‌‌involves‌‌bringing‌‌a‌‌newly‌‌born‌‌child‌‌to‌‌
a‌‌shrine‌‌to‌‌make‌‌sure‌‌that‌‌he‌‌or‌‌she‌‌is‌‌protected‌‌by‌k‌ ami‌.‌‌ ‌

‌
B. Identification.‌‌‌Write‌‌the‌‌correct‌‌answer‌‌on‌‌the‌‌provided‌‌space‌‌before‌‌each‌‌number.‌‌ ‌
‌

________________‌ 1. It‌‌is‌ ‌a‌‌being‌‌that‌‌manifests‌‌the‌‌qualities‌‌of‌k‌ ami‌ ‌

________________‌ 2. These‌‌are‌‌small‌‌slips‌‌of‌‌paper‌‌on‌‌which‌‌a‌‌fortune‌‌is‌‌written.‌‌ ‌

________________‌ 3. This‌‌is‌‌a‌‌mass‌‌purification‌‌performed‌‌in‌‌Shinto‌‌shrines.‌ ‌

________________‌ 4. It‌‌is‌‌a‌‌purification‌‌wand‌‌made‌‌of‌ ‌a‌‌stick‌‌with‌‌strips‌‌of‌‌paper‌‌

attached‌‌to‌‌a‌‌rope‌‌or‌‌linen.‌ ‌ ‌

________________‌ 5. This‌‌ritual‌‌is‌‌carried‌‌out‌ ‌every‌‌year‌‌on‌‌the‌‌Sunday‌‌nearest‌‌to‌‌

November‌‌15.‌ ‌ ‌

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C. Multiple‌‌Choice.‌C
‌ hoose‌‌the‌‌correct‌‌answer.‌ ‌
‌

________‌ 1. This‌ ‌method‌ ‌of‌ ‌purification‌ ‌involves‌ ‌submerging‌ ‌oneself‌ ‌completely‌‌

under‌‌a‌‌body‌‌of‌‌water‌‌such‌‌as‌‌a‌‌river‌‌or‌‌waterfall.‌ ‌
A. misogi‌‌ ‌
B. shichigosan‌ ‌
C. norito‌ ‌
D. musubi‌ ‌

________‌ 2. These‌‌are‌‌small‌‌wooden‌‌plaques‌‌where‌‌visitors‌‌to‌‌a‌‌Shinto‌‌shrine‌‌write‌‌
their‌‌prayers‌‌to‌k‌ ami‌.‌ ‌
A. omikuji‌ ‌
B. haraigushi‌ ‌
C. ema‌ ‌
D. imi‌ ‌

________‌ 3. They‌‌conduct‌‌the‌‌purification‌‌rites‌‌at‌‌Shinto‌‌shrines.‌ ‌
A. priests‌ ‌
B. emperors‌ ‌
C. monks‌ ‌
D. adherents‌ ‌

________‌ 4. It‌‌is‌‌used‌‌to‌‌conduct‌‌the‌‌purification‌‌rites‌‌at‌‌Shinto‌‌shrines.‌ ‌
A. ofuda‌ ‌
B. makoto‌
C. norito‌ ‌
D. haraigushi‌ ‌

________‌ 5. He‌‌was‌‌the‌‌emperor‌‌who‌‌descended‌‌from‌‌Amaterasu.‌ ‌
A. Jimmu‌ ‌
B. Hirohito‌ ‌
C. Meiji‌ ‌
D. Akihito‌

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Challenge‌‌Yourself‌ ‌
‌Essay.‌A
‌ nswer‌‌the‌‌following‌‌questions.‌ ‌
‌
1. How‌‌did‌‌the‌‌confusion‌‌of‌‌associating‌‌the‌‌term‌k‌ ami‌‌‌to‌‌an‌‌actual‌‌supreme‌‌being‌‌or‌‌
God‌‌start?‌ ‌
________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

‌
2. Do‌‌the‌‌Japanese‌‌see‌‌their‌‌emperor‌‌as‌‌a‌‌god?‌‌Why?‌‌Why‌‌not?‌‌ ‌
________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

‌
3. Why‌‌do‌‌visitors‌‌to‌‌Shinto‌‌shrines‌‌need‌‌to‌‌undergo‌‌purification‌‌rites?‌ ‌
________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌

________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

‌
‌
‌
‌
‌‌
‌

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Suggested‌‌Rubric‌‌for‌‌Grading‌ ‌
‌

The‌ ‌rubric‌ ‌below‌ ‌is‌ ‌a‌ ‌suggested‌ ‌one.‌ ‌Your‌ ‌teacher‌ ‌may‌ ‌modify‌ ‌it‌ ‌based‌ ‌on‌ ‌your‌ ‌needs.‌‌
Consult‌‌your‌‌teacher‌‌for‌‌the‌‌final‌‌rubric.‌‌ ‌
‌

Performance‌‌Levels‌ ‌

1‌ ‌ 2‌ ‌ 3‌ ‌ Suggested‌‌
Criteria‌ ‌ Score‌ ‌
Beginning‌‌ Proficient‌ ‌ Advanced‌‌ Weight‌ ‌
Proficiency‌ ‌ Proficiency‌ ‌

The‌‌answer‌‌is‌‌unclear‌‌ The‌‌answer‌‌is‌‌clear‌‌ The‌‌answer‌‌is‌‌clear‌‌

Content‌‌ ‌ ‌
and‌‌insufficient;‌‌there‌‌ but‌‌barely‌‌sufficient;‌‌ and‌‌sufficient;‌‌the‌‌
×‌‌3‌ ‌
is‌‌a‌‌major‌‌flaw‌‌in‌‌the‌‌ there‌‌is‌‌a‌‌minor‌‌flaw‌‌ argumentation‌‌is‌‌
argumentation.‌ ‌ in‌‌the‌‌argumentation.‌ ‌ excellent.‌ ‌

The‌‌answer‌‌does‌‌not‌‌ The‌‌answer‌‌flows‌‌ The‌‌answer‌‌flows‌‌

Organization‌ ‌
flow‌‌logically,‌‌and‌‌its‌‌
parts‌‌are‌‌not‌‌clearly‌‌
structured.‌‌ ‌
‌
logically,‌‌but‌‌its‌‌parts‌‌ logically,‌‌and‌‌its‌‌
×‌‌2‌ ‌
are‌‌not‌‌clearly‌‌ parts‌‌are‌‌clearly‌‌
structured.‌‌ ‌ structured.‌ ‌

There‌‌are‌‌many‌‌major‌‌ There‌‌are‌‌minor‌‌ There‌‌are‌‌virtually‌‌

Mechanics/‌ ‌ ‌
errors‌‌in‌‌sentence‌‌ errors‌‌in‌‌sentence‌‌ no‌‌errors‌‌in‌‌
Language‌‌Use‌ ‌
construction,‌‌ construction,‌‌ sentence‌‌
×‌‌1‌ ‌
grammar,‌‌or‌‌spelling.‌‌ ‌ grammar,‌‌or‌‌spelling.‌‌ ‌ construction,‌‌
grammar,‌‌or‌‌
spelling.‌‌ ‌

Total‌‌Possible‌‌Score‌ ‌ 18‌ ‌ ‌

‌
‌
‌
‌
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‌
‌
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Reflect‌‌on‌‌This‌ ‌
Answer‌‌the‌‌following‌‌question‌‌briefly.‌ ‌
‌
How‌ ‌does‌ ‌the‌ ‌Shinto‌‌belief‌‌in‌‌the‌‌importance‌‌of‌‌one’s‌‌purification‌‌apply‌‌to‌‌people‌‌outside‌‌
the‌‌faith?‌ ‌
‌
_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

_______________________________________________________________________________________________‌ ‌

Photo‌‌Credits‌ ‌
さかおり
Miwa-shrine‌ ‌Yutateshinji‌ ‌A‌ ‌by‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌is‌ ‌licensed‌ ‌under‌ ‌CC‌ ‌BY-SA‌ ‌3.0‌ ‌via‌ ‌Wikimedia‌‌
Commons.‌‌ ‌
‌
Karasuzumo‌ ‌purification‌ ‌ritual‌ ‌by‌ ‌Japanexperterna‌ ‌is‌ ‌licensed‌ ‌under‌ ‌CC‌ ‌BY-SA‌ ‌3.0‌ ‌via‌‌
Wikimedia‌‌Commons.‌‌ ‌
‌
魂‌入‌れ‌に‌伴‌う‌山‌車‌（聖‌武‌山）‌の‌修‌祓、‌姥‌神‌大‌神‌宮‌の‌鳥‌居‌前‌に‌て‌（‌2018‌年‌8‌月‌9日‌ ‌撮‌影‌ ‌by‌‌
BATACHAN‌‌‌is‌‌licensed‌‌under‌C
‌ C‌‌BY-SA‌‌4.0‌‌v
‌ ia‌W
‌ ikimedia‌‌Commons.‌‌ ‌
‌

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Itsukushima‌‌Shinto‌‌Shrine‌‌by‌‌‌Bernard‌‌Gagnon‌‌is‌‌licensed‌‌under‌‌‌CC‌‌BY-SA‌‌3.0‌‌via‌‌‌Wikimedia‌‌
Commons.‌‌ ‌
‌
New‌ ‌Year's‌ ‌Prayer‌ ‌by‌ ‌Japanexperterna.se‌ ‌is‌ ‌licensed‌ ‌under‌ ‌CC‌ ‌BY-SA‌ ‌2.0‌ ‌via‌ ‌Creative‌‌
Commons.‌ ‌
‌

Bibliography‌ ‌
“Divinity‌‌of‌‌the‌‌Emperor.”‌‌BBC.‌‌Accessed‌‌at‌‌
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/history/emperor_1.shtml‌.‌ ‌
‌
“Religion:‌‌Shinto.”‌B
‌ BC.‌A
‌ ccessed‌‌at‌ ‌
h
‌ ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/‌ ‌
‌
“Shinto‌‌Worship:‌‌Traditions‌‌and‌‌Practices.”‌L‌ earn‌‌Religions‌.‌‌Accessed‌‌at‌ ‌
https://www.learnreligions.com/shinto-worship-traditions-practices-4570821#:~:text‌
=At%20the%20core%20of%20Shinto,be%20present%20in%20all%20things.&text=Visi‌
ting%20shrines%2C%20purification%2C%20reciting%20prayers,as%20death%20is%2‌
0considered%20impure‌.‌ ‌
‌
“What‌‌Are‌‌Kami?”‌B
‌ BC‌,‌‌Accessed‌‌at‌‌
https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/kami_1.shtml‌.‌ ‌

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