The word itself means the way of kami, and while there is no precise english equivalent, kami refers to the gods or spirits that are revered by followers of shinto. Distinguished scholar of japanese religions and culture helen hardacre offers the. Offers a unique new approach to shinto history that combines critical analysis with original research examines key evolutionary moments in the long history of shinto, including the meiji revolution of 1868, and provides the first critical history in english or japanese of the hie shrine, one of the most important in all japan. List of books and articles about shinto online research library. Understanding shinto japans ancient religion japanology. Kasulis begins with elements of shinto that are accessible to outsiders, with the experience of wondrous mystery and. The kojiki records of ancient matters and the nihon shoki.
This will stand as the definitive factual treatment for years to come,publishers weekly. Distinguished scholar of japanese religion and culture helen hardacre offers the first comprehensive history of shinto, the ancient and still vibrant tradition whose colorful rituals are practiced by some 80% of the japanese people. Jan 23, 2017 so what exactly is this ancient japanese religion. Many of us foreigners living or traveling in japan are only slightly familiar with the countrys troubled and complicated history. Shinto, throughout history there have always been shintolike be liefs and customs shinko. Thus, shinto s key concepts of purity, harmony, family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group have become parts of the japanese character whether the individual claims a religious affiliation or not. A history, which in its comprehensive and encyclopedia nature does not even have a counterpart in japanese, is a scholarly milestone that will orient for years the study of shinto and japanese religions as a whole. In the japan of today, these are represented by a considerable number of organised religious groups, an even larger number of more or less organised local shrine cults, and an illdefined body of unorganised beliefs and practices that do not involve religious professionals. A history is a mustread book for anyone who is interesting in japanese faith.
Shinto, indigenous religious beliefs and practices of japan. A new history of shinto wiley online books wiley online library. Throughout its long history, japan had no concept of what we call religion. Hardacre, a professor of japanese religions and society at harvard, surveys the history of shinto from ancient japan to the present in this evenhanded and detailed treatment. I know shinto has many deities or so ive read with the main deity being amaretsu, btw i know the legend about the imperial family being descendants of her and many others. As is often the case in the japanese language, no distinction is made here between singular and plural, and hence the term kami refers both to individual kami and the collective group of kami. This kind of interpretation is frequently found in studies of japanese culture or intellectual history. Shinto has a very long past, one that reaches back to the dawn of japanese history.
Helen hardacre distinguished scholar of japanese religions and culture helen hardacre offers the first comprehensive history of shinto, the ancient and vibrant tradition whose colorful rituals are still practiced. These rituals are practiced in innumerable shrines across the realm, so that. He has over 40,000 shrines dedicated to him large and small across japan, the oldest and most important of which is. Although the exact beginnings of shinto are not known specifically, many say its foundations may have begun as early as the 3rd century bce. The term shinto covers a manyhued array of japanese religious traditions. When the japanese people and japanese culture became aware of themselves, shinto was already there. It is in washington state and the main one on the mainland. These reinterpretations have drawn richly using preexisting religious practices both native and foreign, incorporating new elements and reconfiguring. Kakuzo okakura the ideals of the east by kakuzo okakura 1904. From the wages of guilt to the rape of nanking, here are nine books to get your japanese history on. This view i would like to thank suzanne gay and james c. Although there are a number of books that explain the religion and its philosophy, this work is the first in english to focus on sites where shinto has been practiced since the dawn of japanese history.
Helen hardacre is reischauer institute professor of japanese religions and society at harvard university. Oct 18, 20 this is the only book to date offering a critical overview of shinto from early times to the modern era, and evaluating shinto s place in japanese religious culture. The holy books of shinto are the kojiki or records of ancient matters 712 ce and the nihongi or chronicles of japan. Shinto history is one of the oldest religions in the world and does not have a definite date of origin, as it was part of japans ethnic culture and initially lacked a specific name. It avoids being trapped in any narrow conception of shinto, whether confessionaldogmatic or orientalistromantic. Japanese history meiji restoration, 18681912, japanese. Concentrating on japanese religious history of the modern period, she has done extended field study of contemporary shinto and buddhist religious organizations, the religious life of japans korean minority, and contemporary ritualization of abortion. Nor has it any official scripture that can be compared to the bible in judaism and christianity or to the qur. His publications include yasukuni, the war dead and the struggle for japans past edited, 2008, inoue nobutaka, shinto. The kami way by the shinto priest and scholar sokyo ono, in pdf, epub, and azw3 formats. Unlike many other religions, shinto has no recognised founder. Shinto, a short history by ito satoshi, endo jun, mori mizue.
By iain maloney apr 8, 2020 3 min read many of us foreigners living or traveling in japan are only slightly familiar with the countrys troubled and complicated history. Of japans two great religious traditions, shinto is far less known and understood in the west. Shinto is a religion but unlike others, it has no known founder nor are there any sacred texts or formalized teachings. This accessible guide to the development of japans indigenous religion from ancient times to the present day offers an illuminating. Instead there are books of lore and history which provide stories and background to many shinto beliefs. The word kami, meaning above or superior, is the name used to designate a great host of supernatural beings or deities. One of the most interesting things about japanese history is how these two religions, rather than canceling each other out or causing wars, were made to complement each other so that people could practice both without compromising their beliefs. Shinto has been a major part of japanese life and culture throughout the countrys history, but for the greater part of that history shinto has shared its spiritual. The word, which literally means the way of kami generally sacred or divine power, specifically the various gods or deities, came into use to distinguish indigenous japanese beliefs from buddhism, which had been introduced into japan in.
Nov 11, 2016 distinguished scholar of japanese religion and culture helen hardacre offers the first comprehensive history of shinto, the ancient and still vibrant tradition whose colorful rituals are practiced by some 80% of the japanese people. From tokugawa times to the present by andrew gordon, embracing defeat. This book presents, for the first time, a collection of ancient japanese shinto prayers in a format where english speaking readers can both understand the deep meaning of the translated text and can also pronounce the original japanese words. However as a living religious tradition, shinto was reinterpreted at various major historical watersheds.
Buddhism and shinto, two ancient asian religions, are both prominent parts of japanese culture. At the same time, it offers new insight into the amazing adaptability of the japanese psyche. A history is a complete book for a newcomer to japanese philosophies and to shinto. List of books and articles about shinto online research. Shinto is an ancient spiritual tradition, primarily. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Jan 27, 2020 shinto is a religion but unlike others, it has no known founder nor are there any sacred texts or formalized teachings. The mythical histories kojiki records of ancient matters, 712 and nihon shoki chronicles of japan, 720 describe the deeds and genealogies of the gods from the creation of japan by the primal. In recent years, a few books on medieval shinto have appeared, but none has attempted to depict the broader picture, to examine critically shinto s origins and its subsequent. Shinto, a term created to distinguish the indigenous religion from buddhism, is the equivalent of the japanese kaminomichi, the way of the gods or the way of those above. Shinto, the indigenous faith of the japanese people, continues to fascinate and mystify both the casual visitor to japan and the longtime resident. Shinto, a short history by ito satoshi, endo jun, mori. The way home is a broad overview, situating shinto in the context of japanese culture and history and of broader approaches to spirituality and religion. Apr 09, 2016 in english you might follow the facebook page of the shinto tsubaki america grand shrine.
Shinto is a loose system of beliefs and attitudes held by most japanese about themselves, their families and clans, and their rulers. Distinguished scholar of japanese religions and culture helen hardacre offers the first comprehensive history of shinto, the ancient and vibrant tradition whose colorful rituals are still practiced today. It is all in english and gives a sense of seasonal activities and process and festivities. The word, which literally means the way of kami generally sacred or divine power, specifically the various gods or deities, came into use to distinguish indigenous japanese beliefs from buddhism, which had been introduced into japan in the 6th century ce. Shinto does not offer a readily identifiable set of teachings, rituals or beliefs. Dobbins for their suggestions during the writing of this article.
The essays in this volume cover a wide range of topics on shinto and kami in history, including the profound formative influence of taoism on shinto in early japan. In recent years, a few books on medieval shinto have appeared, but none has attempted to depict the broader picture, to examine critically shintos origins and its subsequent. A guide to the sacred sites of japans ancient religion. Many say that shinto is less like a religion and more like a way of life or way of looking at the world. One of hearns last books, this substantial volume is a highly readable history of shinto in japan, and its interaction with buddhism and christianity. Japanese decided to use the chinese term shinto meaning way of the gods to differentiate this cult from buddhism introduced in japan in the 6th. In english you might follow the facebook page of the shinto tsubaki america grand shrine. May 20, 2007 zen and shinto is a strong plea to rectify the steps taken to eradicate shinto, the very substance of japanese life and thought. Hi, im studying japanese culture, and shinto is a big part of it, so i want to know a bit about it. Shinto or the mythology of the japanese by romyn hitchcock. Satoshi ito shinto a short history provides an introductory outline of the historical development of shinto from the ancient period of japanese history until the present day. This is the only book to date offering a critical overview of shinto from early times to the modern era, and evaluating shintos place in japanese religious culture. Apr 08, 2020 from the wages of guilt to the rape of nanking, here are nine books to get your japanese history on.
Shinto what is, history, characteristics, symbol, gods. This is a list of books that focus on the study of shinto. Shinto is not a revealed religion with a divinely inspired scripture. Under the ideal of shinto, a divinely descended emperor governs through rituals offered to deities called kami.
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