Page 121 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

The brightly colored main hall of Kanda Shinto
Shrine in Tokyo’s Chiyoda district

SHINTO
Japan’s oldest religion, Shinto’s core concept
is that deities, kami, preside over all things
in nature, be they living, dead, or inanimate.
Today, there are few pure Shintoists, but jinja
(shrines) still line waysides and Shinto rituals
are observed alongside Buddhist practices.
SACRED GATES
The approach to the jinja transports
worshippers from the secular to the sacred CHARMS AND
world. Vermilion torii often line the path, VOTIVE TABLETS
symbolizing gate ways, and red-bibbed stone Good-luck charms, called
foxes stand guard at Inari Shrines. Inside the omamori, are sold at shrines
shrine’s main complex, shimenawa, a rope across Japan. Common themes
made of twisted rice straw, hangs over relate to fertility, luck in
entrances to ward off evil and sickness. examinations, general health,
or safety while driving. The
HAIDEN AND HONDEN charm itself might be written on
a piece of paper or thin wooden
At the haiden, or hall of worship, devotees board and tucked into a cloth
pull on a bell rope, toss money into a box,
clap three times to summon the resident bag, which can be worn next to
the body or placed somewhere
kami, then stand in silent prayer for a few
moments. The kami is believed to live in relevant. Do not open the bag to
read the charm or it will not
the shrine’s honden (main sanctuary), but
usually only the head priests are permitted work! Prayers or wishes can
also be written on ema
to enter this hallowed space.
boards (above) and
hung at the shrine.
KANNUSHI
The Shinto priesthood (kannushi) tended to
be passed down through families, and some A cloth bag
of these dynasties (shake) are still connected containing a
with certain shrines. Usually dressed in white paper omamori
and orange robes, the kannushi perform
purification ceremonies and other rituals.
121

120-121_EW_Japan.indd 121 04/02/2019 14:54