Shinto: the Kami way

Shinto, the indigenous faith of the Japanese people, continues to fascinate and mystify both the casual visitor to Japan and the long-time resident. Relatively unknown among the religions of the world, Shinto: The Kami Way provides an enlightening window into this Japanese faith. In its general aspects Shinto is more than a religious faith. It is an amalgam of attitudes, ideas, and ways of doing things that through two millennia and more have become an integral part of the way of the Japanese people. Shinto is both a personal faith in the kami--objects of worship in Shinto and an honorific for noble, sacred spirits--and a communal way of life according to the mind of the kami. This introduction unveils Shinto's spiritual characteristics and discusses the architecture and function of Shinto shrines. Further examination of Shinto's lively festivals, worship, music, and sacred regalia illustrates Shinto's influence on all levels of Japanese life.

Includes index.

1: THE KAMI WAY -- Introduction -- Mythology -- Kami -- Guardian Kami -- Scriptures -- Types of Shinto -- Organization -- 2: SHRINES -- Shrines and Shrine Paraphernalia -- Shrine Buildings and Compounds -- Roof Ornamentation -- Priests and Shrine Functionaries -- Ceremonial Dress -- Costumes of Girl Attendants -- Parishes and Parishioners -- 3: WORSHIP AND FESTIVALS -- Introduction -- The Four Elements of Worship -- Worship in the Home -- Worship at a Shrine -- Festivals -- Preparation of the Shrine -- Abstinence Preceding Festiva -- The Ritual -- Sacred Dances -- 4: POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS -- Political Life -- THE ARTS -- Economic Life -- Historical Relations with Other Religions -- Modern Relations with Other Religions -- Everyday Customs -- 5: SOME SPIRITUAL CHARACTERISTICS -- Transmission of the Faith -- Shrines and Nature -- Other Natural Objects : Caves, Rocks, etc. -- The World, Man, Salvation, and Death -- Universal Nature of Shinto.