1. Albina KhantsisHUMN 120Spring 2012

2. What is Shinto? Shinto is a purely national Japanese religion. It was based on ancestors traditions and the worship of nature. Shinto teaches the way of harmonious existence of men inspiritual unity with the world. Crucial parts of Shinto are practices, rituals and ceremonies. 3. What AREThere are numerousKAMI? of spirits in Shinto called kami.It is believed that among them are spirits of the dead, spirits ofmountains, rocks, rivers, animals, trees, fire, wind, humanvirtues, etc.Kami are invisibly present everywhere and are alwaysinvolved in peoples lives. 4. What is A JINJA orSHINTO SHRINE?A big gate at the entrance is the gateway to the sacred precincts of the ShintoShrine. The torii represents the division between the everyday world and thesacred shrine realm. This symbol of the Shinto Shrine is a place for a bird tosit and sing at first sight of the sun. 5. A SHINTO SHRINE ISa structure or placewhose main purposeis to house theShinto kami. a place where all a place of Masturithings in Nature(festival) where Shintogather together, andPriests conduct ritualstheir hearts andand prayers forsubstance individuals, familiespurified, refreshed and groups to dispeland renewed.misfortune and open an enriched the path for Divineenvironment where Blessings andDivine Natures LifeexpressingGiving Forces are appreciation to Greatcommemorated like Nature.parents. 6. SHINTO AMULETS &TALISMANS protective amulet imbued with Omamori is yearlygood luck, protective power, blessings. You can prayto one omamori for one wish. Each omamori consistsof holy paper or fabric and its little bag. Ofuda is a type of household amulet or talisman, issued by aShinto shrine, and is hung in the house for protection. It is made byinscribing the name of a kami on a strip of paper, wood, cloth, ormetal. It is believed to protect the family in the residence fromgeneral harm, such as a disease.Magatama is an ancient Japanese Shintoornament/talisman which came from an ancient Koreandiagram representing the mothers womb, orembryo, and hence it brings all good things, like theblessing of a new child, growth, longevity, andprosperity. 7. SHINTO CEREMONIESWEDDINGCEREMONY Naked Man Ceremony for Good Luck and Good Harvest 8. SHINTOfestivals 9. SHINTO PUREFICATIONritual 10. SUMO A SHINTO RITUALsport steeped in religious ritual. the gods Sumo is a Sumo was originally performed to entertain (kami) during festivals. The origins of sumo date back 2000 years.Symbolism in Sumo:The sand Purity The canopy a roof of a Shrine The four tassels the four seasons 11. AIKIDO SHINTO PHILOSOPHY Ai (joining) KI (spirit) Do (way) reflects a Shinto cosmology. The powerfully flowing spiral movements of Aiki techniques are an actsof meditation, removing the obstructions that keep practitioners from thelife giving forces. The Founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei OSensei said: Aiki is the way of the Kami and was born of the will of the Kami. Rise early in the morning to greet the sun. Inhale the breath ofheaven and let the cosmos inside. Next breath up the rich vibrancies of the earth. Blend these breaths with your own breath and become the breath of life itself. Your mind and body will be gladdened, heartache 12. SHINTO & LOVE OFNature is NATUREsacred. To be in contact with nature means to beclose to the Gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits Kami resides in nature Shinto shrines were traditionally built near waterfalls, caves, rock formations, mountain tops, or forest glens Rituals are held outdoors, among natural surroundings 13. SHINTO & ANCESTORS They are the givers of life, the givers of wealth, and the makers andteachers of the present To forget or neglect them, to treat them with rude indifference, is the proofof an evil heart They represent the unwritten law, the traditions of the commune, the dutiesof all to all They represent the mystery of the invisible: to Shinto believes they aregods.(Japan, an attempt at interpretation, by Lafcadio Hearn; London, McMillanLtd. Co., 1904) 14. THANK YOU FORWATCHING MYPRESENTATION! 15. REFERENCES:1. "Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America." Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. http://www.tsubakishrine.org/history/index.html >.2. "Shinto, an Ancient Japanese Religion." SHINTO. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .3. "SHINTO - THE WAY OF THE GODS." Cal Poly CLA. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .4. Sivananda, Sri Swami. "Shintoism." The Divine Life Society. 20 Feb. 2005. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .5. "Shinto." ORIAS Home Page. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .6. "Shinto Rituals." Basic World Religions Information. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .7. Briand, Pablo. "SHINTO CULT OF ANCESTORS." Index. 24 June 2009. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. .