"JAPAN CODE"
should enhance your insight into various Japanese spiritual cultures and be useful for authoring or writing.
We will introduce the outline below, for you !
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Preface
" JAPAN CODE;The structural theory of Japanese culture " is the world's first and only universal structural philosophy that can explain all Japanese spiritual culture and faith. The new interpretation of Japanese mythology"Kojiki;Records of Ancient Matters", and its theory led to the special use of the official photo of the IZUMO Ooyashiro deity's treasure"勾玉;MAGATAMA" in the book. And that theory is highly valued by professor emeritus & the historically valuable shrines, such as Kamigamo shrine, many temples, which are well-known all over the world.
That Theory and Philosophy will lead to understanding about japanese mind from the ancient times that realized the synchronization of Shintoism and Buddhism, and its polytheistic natural religion.
・・・・ OUR NEXT GLOBALVISION for PEACE & NATURE ・・・・
We would like to invite everyone in the world to understand the ideology of multicultural Japan about the characters system of japanese language , paintings, foods, and the emperor, and so
on.
For that reason,we are planning to publish the book to the world, collaborating with Ms. sydney solis or the great world writers & artists. First of all, we published a Japanese language book "JAPAN CODE" that collaborated with many wonderful famous artists in Kyoto,Japan. So, the books have been released in precious literary museums and major libraries in Kyoto.
The structure of “JAPAN CODE" (see below figure)
In fact, “JAPAN CODE” is a Japanese cultural structure that we discovered by elucidating the underlying thought of “Kojiki.” We can use the theory to explain the whole Japanese culture and its relationship between the each culture, including "ancestor worship"and"the synchronization of Shintoism and Buddhism"and "Monoaware in The Tale of Genji"and Zen,Wabi Sabi and so on.
Written by imperial command in the eighth century, The "Kojiki" is the oldest surviving Japanese book. This compendium of early Japanese life provides a panorama of Japan during its formation.
Our " JAPAN CODE ;The structural theory of Japanese culture " is made up of three philosophical ideas that were born from "Faith in nature" at the top. "circulation-thought" "current-thought" ”mutual harmony-thought"that were originated from "Japanese natural faith in nature.“ and, Various cultures have been produced by the overall structure of those thought. That's "Japan Code"
Presentation about Shinto“神道” ・・・ Faith in nature ・・・
Introduction
Jinja is a place where the spirit of Kami (or a deity or deities),is enshrined, and it represents the oldest form of the faith of the Japanese. There are about eighty thousand shrines throughout Japan. They vary in scale and form according to the nature of the enshfined deity and the historical background of jinja. Some enshrine a deity that appears in the traditionaI myths, while others enshrine the spirit of historical figures.So there are numerous different deities, and they are often called yaoyorozu-no Kami, whose literal meaning is eight million deities.
Now you must wonder why there exist so many deities and shrines in Japan. The main purpose of this chapter is to answer this questionand to explain the historical background of Shinto, the indigenous faith of the Japanese.
The Origin of Shinto
The origin of Shinto is considered to date back to the days long before organized government of Japan was established. Although it is not possible to identify the exact time when Shinto came to exist, we can guess how it began. Situated to the northeast of the Asian continent, Japan is full of geographical variety. Although its area is comparatively small at 378,000 k㎡, it is full of variety, with seas, rivers, mountains, valleys and plains, while forests cover nearly 70% of the land. The climate is relatively mild throughout the year with four Seasons that change roughly every three months.
With such geographical and climatic conditions, agriculture, fishery, and forestry flourished in ancient Japan. However, these industries were easily affected by natural conditions such as a sudden change of climate, which often caused critical problems to the everyday life of the People. lt became natural for people of a community depending on these industries to conceive the idea that it was the work of Kami that had enormous influence on their life. Thus people fostered their reverence towards Kami, such as, for instance, a guardian spirit of a region or a tutelary deity of a clan, as well as various Kami of nature such as Kami of Rain, Kami of Wind, Kami of Mountain, Kami of Sea, Kami of River, and Kami of Thunder.
The Origin in Jinja
Nowadays, Kami are enshrined in Shaden(or shrine buildings) in most cases. ln ancient times, however, Kami were invited to come and inhere in a tree or rock considered to be pure and sacred, each time these people offered Prayers,several times a year in a mountain, or in a forest, or aIongside a river.
0riginally these rituals of prayer were performed outdoors.Later, people started to set up permanent structures such as a roof or a hut to cover a rituaI site in order to keep out rain and wind, Thus, Kami became to be enshrined in a permanent shrine building.
Even today, when people construct a new building, they invite the guardian of the place to come to an evergreen tree called Sakaki in order to perform a ritual called ‘Jichinsai’ and to pray for safety of the work and solidity of the building.This is an ancient form of Shinto ritual that has been handed down from generation to generation right up to the present.
Since Jinja is quite unique to Japanese culture there is no equivalent translation, but it is translated by the English word, ‘shrine゛ when necessary.
Kami (deities) of Shinto
Peoples and races of the world have their own myths and legends, and these are appreciated as a precious cultural heritage received from their ancestors. ln Japan, there are two classics that contain treasured myths and legends of Japan.One is Kojiki,(or The Record of Ancient Matters),compiled in 712 AD by the imperial order. lt is the oldest book in Japan. The other is Nihonshoki, (or The Chronicles of Japan) compiled in 720 AD. Both of them include the mythicaI creation of the world.
According to these books, in the beginning of the universe Kami were bom out of chaos. After vafious Kami were bom, a male deity and a female deity who were bom last married and gave birth to the land of Japan and its naturaI environment as well as to other deities who are considered to be ancestors of the Japanese.
So ancient Japanese conceived the idea that everything in this world was a sacred being and various deities and nature were inseparable and cIose to each other like the relationship of sibling because they were all born of the same parental Kami.This is the reason why Shinto has an enormous number of deities as objects of worship. They include not only mythicaI Kami but also Tenno(the Emperor), and historical figures, as most highly venerated beings in Japanese society.
Among those deities, Amaterasu-Ohmikami is most highly revered. This Kami is enshrined in Jingu (or The Grand Shrine of lse) in Mie prefecture, and revered as the imperial ancestraI Kami and also as the parentaI Kami of the Japanese.Believing in the myth that Amaterasu-Ohmikami gave people an ear of rice to deveIop it as the main food crop, the Japanese built up the country based mainly on rice cultivation，cooperating with each other and centering on Tenno. It is said that rice cultivation and Mαturi (or festivaIs) for Kami are the Spiritual pillars that support the Japanese way of life.
Kami is sometimes translated into the English word ‘god’. Yet, the concept of Kami is different from the westem idea of ‘god’. Among numerous deities of Shinto, Amaterasu-Ohmikami is revered most highly but Shinto has no concept of the one absolute god nor a hierarchy among deities. Each deity has its own character, rather as a human being has and people revere the character as an aspect of divine grace.
Shinto aIso has reverence towards ancestors. This must be one of the reasons why the Shinto faith has continued all through its Iong history of more than two thousand years. Matsuri for Kami are also festivals to show peopIe’s reverence towards the spirit of their ancestors.
Matsuri of Jinja
In Jinja,various kinds of Matmri(or festivaIs) are perfomed throughout the year. Among them, festivals which weII represent the Shinto faith and are common to aII Jinja are Kinensai, a maturi in early Spring to pray for a good rice harvest, and Niinamesai in autumn to give thanks for the successful harvest. They are performed not only in ordinary shrines but also in the lmperiaI Palace. Coinciding with these festivals, many secular events are organized in Iocal communities, such as a festivaI of agricultural products.
Another festival performed in aII Jinja is one called Reisai or Rei-Taisai. This is the most important festival of a Shrine that is held annually on a particular day related to the enShrined Kami or to the establishment of the shrine. The day of Reisai or Reitaisa varies according to the historical background of each shrine.
Oharae is also done in Jinja twice a year at the end of June and December. This is held in order to remove all sins and pollution that People might have committed or suffered.
Apart from these festivaIs, various kindSs of private rituaIs are performed in Jinja. Shichi-go-san: festival for children aged Seven, five, and three, and marriage ceremonieS are popular as rites of passages. People aIso offer prayers in Jinja for the security of their house, the happiness of the family，and the success of a business.
Shinto Faith
Shinto faith came into existence spontaneously and was continued cIosely related to the Japanese way of life. There is no written book of religious precepts or commandments, The general principles of Shinto were developed foIIowing the moral code or ethicaI standard as well as regulations fostered over the years in Japanese society. However, purity and honesty have always been valued in the Shinto faith.
According to Shinto, human life is given by parental deities，so human beings are originally pure. Here, no concept exists Iike that of originaI sin in Christianity. However, people could be misguided in everyday life by an evil mind, or could unintentionally hurt other peopI’s heart. These conducts are considered to be sins and impurity of mind. So Shinto rituals of purification called Harae or Misogi are performed in order to remove these sins and impurity from people and to let them start afresh as a person of pure mind.
lt is the first principle of Shinto that People fulfill their life， Performing their given roles in each position and at each stage of their life, to do the world good.
Facilities of Jinja
JInja are usually situated in a dense forest, and the Structure is mostly built of wood. The first thing that you see when you visit, Jinja is a gate at the entrance. This
chafacteristic architecture is called Torii, and marks the border between a sacred place where Kami dwell and the secular quarter. Torii are generally constructed with two Pillars and two
other timbers placed horizontally on top of the pillars.
They vary in style, materiaI, and the total number of Torii in a shrine varies from shrine to shrine. However, Torii is seen as a symbol of Jinja, so it is used as to mark Jinja on
Japanese maps.
Passing through Torii, you proceed to Shaden. 0n the way to the main Shrine building, there is a stone basin covered with a roof. This is called Temizuya. Before advancing to the main Shrine, you rinse out your mouth and hands there. This is a simplified form of Misogi, a ceremony of purification performed in the sea or in a river.
The path towards the main shrine is called Sando. While you are walking along Sando, you calm your mind and prepare yourself to express reverence to Kami in front of the main shrine.
There are some shrines which have a pair of stone statues placed on both sides of the main Shrine building.
These Statues, called Komainu, are a kind of talisman to avert evil spirits from the sanctuary. The people of the shrine parish donate Komainu as well as stone lanterns to
express their wish for the peaceful deveIopment of their community and region.
After these, you come to the main shrine, the center of Jinja. The building in front of you is called Haiden and is where you offer a prayer. Kami are enshrined in Honden, the main shrine just
behind Haiden. Some shrines have another building called Heiden between Haiden and Honden in which people present their offerings. These buildings are sometimes connected to each other, or in
other cases, each building
stands independently. Like the case of Torii, Jinja aiso varies in architectural style and scale according to the nature of the enshrined Kami and its historical background.
You express your reverence in a certain manner. Firstly you make a money offering in the offertory box, and then bow twice, clap your hands twice, and finally bow one last time. This manner symbolizes your sincerity towafds Kami. In ancient times before people had money, they offered rice. This habit of offering rice is still followed even today.
In Jinja,there are some other buildings such as Shamusho (or administrative office), and Juyosyo where you can get an amulet on which the name of the enShrined deity is written. The small personal amulet, O-mamori, is to be worn by yourself, and O-fuda, a larger amulet, is to be placed on an altar at home.
These are the buildings and related facilities common to most of Jinja throughout Japan.
ln Conclusion
lt is not too much to say that the long history of the Japanese and their cultural heritage nurtured during those years are all condensed in Jinja,So it is often said that Jinja is the
spiritual home of aII Japanese.
Shinto’s moral and principles are deeply embedded in the psychoIogical consciousness of the Japanese.
There are also many trees in Jinja. This is related to the idea of the ancient Japanese that the forest was a sacred place where Kami lived. Thus,
Shinto and nature are inseparable.ln recent years, ecoIogy has become a key issue in intemational society. ln this connection, Shinto emphasises the impotance of approaching nature with awe
and deep appreciatlon.
How was your impression of visitin Jinja? We sincerely hope that this smaII leaflet helps deepen your understanding of Jinja as well as of Japan as a country.
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