SHINTO BELIEFS

Created by Gracie Hancock, Gabi Vivero, Lily Oliva, and Ruby Knopik

KAMI
-Shinto is based on the belief and worship of Kami
-Kami are considered to be the gods of Shinto, although they are unlike most gods of other religions
-Kami are neither divine, omnipotent, nor perfect
-The spirits that inhabit many living things, some beings themselves, elements of the landscape, powerful forces of nature, and humans who become Kami after their death are all considered to be Kami
-Kami are said to respond to human prayer and that is why rituals are an essential component of Shinto

KAMIDANA
-Kamidana is a household Shinto altar
a facility for the conduct of domestic rites within a home
-The place chosen for installation of the kamidana should be clean, well-lighted, and quiet, in a location convenient for worship and placement of offerings
facing the east or south is generally considered desirable
the institution of kamidana is not old
worshipped for success in business and for good fortune

MOUNT FUIJI
-Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan
-Mt. Fuji is named for the Buddhist fire goddess Fuchi and is sacred to the Shinto goddess Sengen-Sama, whose shrine is found at the summit
-It is the holiest of Japan's "Three Holy Mountains"
-Mount Fuji has been a sacred site for practicers of Shinto since the 7th century
-Shinto shrines ascent on Mount Fuji

ANCESTOR WORSHIP
-Ancestor worship is important because the human spirit is believed to always remain in existence
-Ancestors watch over and protect their descendants
-3 otherworlds -- Takamano-haram, Yomi, and Tokoyo
-None of these are established as particularly hellish or utopian
-Cemeteries were placed in hillsides because they generally has panoramic views of the village

ANCESTOR WORSHIP CONTINUED
-Through festivals, the kami and other ancestors are pleased and continue to protect their descendants
-Life on earth is more important than life after death

HONORABILITY
- Samurai were loyal Japanese warriors
- Samurai means "one who serves"
- They lived according to a demanding code called Bushido
- Samurai were expected to show reckless courage, reverence for the gods, fairness and generosity towards those weaker than himself
- Dying an honorable death was judged more important than living a long life
- They served as bodyguards for Japanese feudal lords
- First duty was loyalty to the emperor
- Second duty was to the lord whom the samurai directly served

CITATIONS

• Kami: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/shinto/beliefs/kami_1.shtml
• Kamidana: http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=285
• Mount Fuiji: http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/mount-fuji/?ar_a=1
• Ancestor Worship: http://www.jinjahoncho.or.jp/en/spiritual/index2.html
• Honorability: http://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=irj

CITATIONS

• Honorability: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seppuku
• Honorability: http://www.holymtn.com/Japan/Samurai.htm