Shintoism

Shintoism (Shinto) – the indigenous religion of Japan, polytheistic in character and incorporating the worship of a number of ethnic divinities, from the chief of which the emperor is believed to be descended. According to Shinto-legend chaos gave birth for five gods, those gave birth for Indzanaki and his sister Indzanami. Indzanaki and Indzanami created First Island by sinking into see on raft. Thay settled on that island and gave birth for number of Kami and one of the Kami killed Indzanami. Indzanaki went to Erebus to save his sister and as he found her they tried to escape but failed and to stop pursuit of Night-Land terrible Witches Indzanaki throw rock and so divided world on two. So they lost each other forever and Indzanami promised to take away thousand Kamis a day and Indzanaki promised to create thousand Kamis a day in order not to turn the world on desert. Try to pay attention to facts and forget about names and that this legend is Japanese one. Generally it's a story of world creation and it sounds just like the Christian one with small distinctions but the whole idea is almost identical. Inzanaki and Indzanami are Adam and Eve who gave birth for Cain and Abel (Kamis) and Cain killed Abel just like Kami killed Indzanami. Scene of their escape is in fact story of Heaven and Hell appearance.

The fundamental principles of Shinto is worship of Kami, first there was no ceremonies devoted for Kami except those seasonal but later there appeared a number of Kami worship ceremonies. Soon Kami temples were built for serving and worshiping. Usually it was simple wooden building decorated with Japanese national components of architecture. Those temples had to be renewed every twenty years and were built on certain lot of landscape as it was place where Kami lives. The image of Kami is represented by its picture or statue, but statue is more Buddhist accessory and doyens of Shinto reject it. According to Shinto beliefs Kammi may be dangerous and angry and to please and calm them one has to perform special ceremonies that will please Kami. The whole set of this ceremonies is called macuri. According to Shinto traditions in every house there should be kamidana an altar in the middle of which a small temple is placed. The ground book of Shinto is 'Kodzikki' the book in which described history of Japan from the very beginning till year 628, besides 'Kodzikki' is a main source of Japanese national customs.

Shinto consists of the number of schools and teachings. The most known are: Tenday Shinto (appeared under influence of Buddhism), Shingon (tantric teaching, appeared under influence of Buddhism), Vatari Shinto (Shinto school, appeared as result of desire for cleanse of Shinto from Buddhism), Syjka Shinto (appeared as a result of Shinto and Confucianism merger), Fukko Shinto (appeared as the result of desire to bring back the original form of Shintoism).