Shinto

Basho himself refers to some of the Shinto gods in his narrative; in his account of the conversation between him and the prostitutes on their way to the shrine at Ise Basho refers to the “Sun Goddess’s protection” in order to assure that they have a safe journey (Basho pg. 111). The Sun Goddess is a clear reference to Amaterasu who is an, if not the most, important deity in Shinto since it is associated with the royal family. In fact, Basho concludes his…

One main purpose of mythology is to provide explanation and origin to natural phenomenon. This function served to explain unknown concepts considering the lack of technology and scientific reasoning. This function also provided significance to the phenomenon because it connects anomalies to important divine beings from specific traditions. The myths, Nu Kua Marries Her Brother and Izanagi and Izanami focuses on explaining creation achieved by celestial beings from ancient Chinese and Japanese…

natives’ belief system was based on and in the worship of kami. Kami are the elements of the landscape or forces of nature (“Kami”). In the 6th century Shintoism was created to distinguish native religion from Buddhism and Confucianism (“Shintoism”). Shinto most literally means, “the way of kami” (Hirai). Shintoism became more popular and common in the 18th century (“Shintoism”). Japan’s transition from 18th century to now started in 1871. The Meiji government started by abolishing feudalism…

treated unequally when it comes to religions. One of these ways is how women are not allowed to become religious leaders, but I do not think that it is the worst way that women have been treated. Through Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Christianity and Shinto there are many ways that women are treated unequally that are worse than women not being able to become religious leaders. Women have been treated unequally when it comes to women being able to become religious leaders, but this is something…

It is believed that Emperor Jimmu was the first emperor of Japan and resided in the capital city of Kyoto. However, the aristocracy fell marking the beginning of military rulers called the Shogun. Also, during this time the Shogun developed a caste system putting them at the very top. After a succession of the Shogun, the Azuchi-Momoyama period began with the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which also brought back the feudalist system (“Fact of Japan,” 2015). In 1867, the Tokugawa…

The Perspective of Salvation throughout the World Religions Growing up in a Baptist home, weekly service was common. As a young child, the practice of going to church seemed to be just something that you did to go give thanks for what you had, pay your respects to God, to confess your sins and pray for things that you needed or wanted. As a teenager, I had no desire to continue the weekly trips to church. Once I turned 18 and moved out of my grandparents’ home I did not attend weekly…

In Japan, Samurai were of the military elite during the medieval and early-modern period. In Japanese, they are known as bushi or buke. By the 12th century, the word samurai became synonymous with bushi. It was closely associated with the middle and upper ranks of the warrior class. Usually associated with a clan and their lord, the samurai also followed a set of rules that later came to be known as the bushidō. Although the samurai numbered less than 10% of Japan's former population, their…

9/11 vs Pearl Harbor What comes to mind when you here about 9/11 or the bombings at Pearl Harbor? All the innocent people being killed? The war it started? Or just how we came together as a nation to take down a common enemy? Two important events in U.S. history are the hijackings on September 11, 2001 and the bombings at Pearl Harbor. The attack on September 11, 2001 was 4 planes were hijacked and two were crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania.…

Japanese vs Mexican Coming of Age Rituals The Japanese term for coming of age is Seijin no Hi. On this day, once a Japanese citizen turns 20 they are considered an adult. The Mexican coming of Age ceremony is a quinceanera. A quinceanera celebrates a 15 year olds matureness and transition to becoming a young adult. Even though both Japanese and Mexican cultures celebrate a coming of age ceremony for young adults, they each have many similarities and differences in their rituals. The Japanese…

landscapes due to it's proximity to the Seto inland sea, islands are scattered along the coast and tall mountains covered in deep green forests frame the mainland. In Hofu there is a very famous shrine called Tenmangu, it is dedicated to Tenjin who, in Shinto religion, is the god of scholars. To reach the shrine you must walk up about 70 steps (this is very typical of shrines and temples in Japan), and as you reach the top you can see the bright red walls of the shrine. We spent about an hour…