Animism & Shinto

Unit 2: Religion and Belief Systems

What is Animism?

● Oldest form of religious belief (Stone Age)

● Practiced in African, American, and some East Asian areas

What is Animism?

● Simply, it is the belief that all

objects, animate or inanimate,

have a “spiritual essence”○ Most common thread of indigenous

religions

○ Can also describe the behavior

towards different things (people,

animals, plants, etc.)

● Sacred objects/beings that act

as an emblem of a group of

people are referred to as totems

What is Animism?

● Traditions and practices vary

wildly from place to place

● Lacks many elements of

other religions○ Moral/ethical guidelines

○ Religious text

○ All-powerful deities

Japanese Shinto

Origins

● Oldest existing Japanese religion (80% still follow

beliefs)

● Dates back to ~4000 B.C.E.○ Name comes from ~500 C.E.; “Way of the Kami”

○ Only named to differentiate with Buddhism

● Gradually evolved into more complex belief system

Basic Beliefs

● Celebration of human life○ Human nature already good

○ No moral code, religious book, or founder

● Two important aspects most noteworthy○ Little focus on eschatology; focus mostly on “this-worldness”

○ Close link to the gods, spirits, and other people

● Beliefs vary depending on type of Shinto○ Public vs. private practice

Basic Beliefs

● Worship mainly conducted at shrines○ Large festivals also act as places of mass

worship

○ Torii: gates that signify the transition from the

worldly to sacred ground

Itsukushima

Fujisan Hongu Sengen

Taisha

Ofuda

Connection to Animism

● Belief in Kamis- “divine beings”○ Gods, spirits, forces of nature

○ Inhabit things that inspire awe

○ Kami that are not given gratitude become vengeful demons called

aragami

● Important kamis will sometimes be given names○ Amateratsu (Sun Kami) was most important

● No real moral code in Shinto○ Based on purity and cleanliness

○ Nature and water = pure

○ Dead bodies/murder = impure

Omairi

Amaterasu- Kami of the Sun & Storms

Konohanasakuya-hime

Sumo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

wZG5xetmFqw