1. religion in japan Shinto

2. shinto Ancient traditional and ritual practices expressing relationship between Shinto Gods and people and places of Japan Mix of other religions: Buddhism and Taoism Important part of people’s lives-even in contemporary Japan

3. No founder No formalized ethics-It’s an approach to life No system of dogmatic beliefs-Makoto: Sincerity of the heart No organized system of theology No written documents before 8th Century

4. Virtue is inseparable from rest of life Beauty, truth, goodness and morality go together Purity rituals: Inner purity necessary for truly human and spiritual life kannagara-no-michi

5. The “way of the gods”

6. Kami Anything that is above, special, or unusual Essence or internal quality of phenomena Things that inspire a sense of wonder or awe

7. 3 types of kami Abstract powers associated with nature Family ancestors Souls of the auspicious dead

8. Powers with nature Essence of certain weather events; bodies of water, forests etc.

9. Family ancestors Essence of lives of deceased are an honored presence. Ancestors of aristocrats will be honored by general population. Essence of lives of deceased are an honored presence. Ancestors of aristocrats will be honored by general population.

10. Souls of auspicious dead Soldiers and others who died in war are revered for bravery. Many shinto shrines are dedicated to worship of the Kami of the war dead. Soldiers and others who died in war are revered for bravery. Many shinto shrines are dedicated to worship of the Kami of the war dead.

11. Amaterasu omikami The Sun Goddess

12. Amaterasu Born from left eye socket of the male creator kami, Izanagi. Divine ancestor of Emperor of Japan.

13. Land of the rising sun Most identified with Japan Sun appears on Japanese flag Nature kami and ancestor kami

14. State shinto Used to support nationalism in late 19th- early 20th Century Other religions could even be persecuted State religion to promote ideology of Japanese superiority

15. Main religions in Japan today are Shintoism and Buddhism