Aeryk
The Shinto Religion in Japan
Please visit the website for more information
WWW Link">Linkhttp://www.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/relg/shinto.sketch.html
The Four Affirmations' of Shinto.
1. Tradition and family must be honored.
2. Love of nature plays a great role. Most shrines are built in groves on the edge of the village, near a waterfall, near a distinctive rock on the seashore, etc.
3. Physical cleanliness must be assured before prayers or approach to a shrine. Lots of washing, sprinkling with salt, etc.
4. Festivals and ceremonies must be honored. Japanese festivals (matsuri) are joyous occassions with lots of energetic activity: eg, the young men in bright jackets pushing around a huge wagon containing the sacred shrine during a parade, wrestling matches (that is, sumo). These events are intended as entertainment for the benefit of the kami as well as for the participants.
Shrines organize MATSURI (community festivals) about life passages (births, marriages, age 3-5-7 ceremonies, etc) celebration of family ancestors, etc. (Not much about death, however.)
Each local community has its own matsuri traditions featuring colorful costumes, special dances, floats rolled or dragged through the streets, boats, bonfires, wrestling contests, etc.
Every small community has at least one or more `shrines' (jinja), maintained by a committee of prominent citizens of the community. The `sanctum sanctorum' is a small box designed like a house with small door
to visit the website click on the link please
[link="http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/relg/shinto.sketch.html"]WWW Link
tghere are other site that give more information.
