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.