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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
An 8 page research paper that discusses the nature of myth and symbol in Shinto ritual. Japanese mythology, which plays a major role in Shinto beliefs, encompasses an intricate and complex system of beliefs. The Shinto pantheon consists of 8000 kami (Japanese for "gods" or "spirits") (Japanese mythology). The Kojiki ("Record of Ancient Things") is the oldest recognized book of Japanese myths, legends and history (Japanese mythology). One notable feature of Japanese mythology is that it explains the origin of the Imperial family, while also assigning them godhood (Japanese mythology). Unlike other national mythologies, in which there is a clear line that divides myth from everyday life, Shinto beliefs and ways of thinking are deeply intertwined with the subconscious social fabric of modern Japanese society (Shinto). Examination of Japanese myths, symbols and rituals illustrates this fact and how Shintoism continues to influence modern Japanese life. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
8 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khshinmy.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
or "spirits") (Japanese mythology). The Kojiki ("Record of Ancient Things") is the oldest recognized book of Japanese myths, legends and history (Japanese mythology). One notable feature of Japanese mythology is
that it explains the origin of the Imperial family, while also assigning them godhood (Japanese mythology). Unlike other national mythologies, in which there is a clear line that divides myth
from everyday life, Shinto beliefs and ways of thinking are deeply intertwined with the subconscious social fabric of modern Japanese society (Shinto). Examination of Japanese myths, symbols and rituals illustrates
this fact and how Shintoism continues to influence modern Japanese life. Shinto Shinto belief is not primarily concerned with the afterlife, but rather places its focus on fitting in properly
into this world (Shinto). It has no binding set of dogma. There is no holy site that it considered to be more sacred than others and no deity or kami
that is considered to be the most holy, as well as no defined set of prayers (Shinto). Rather than taking this form--that is, one familiar to western minds--Shinto consists of
a collection of rituals that are designed to mediate the relations between the living and the kami (Shinto). These rituals originated organically over the course of time and have also
been influenced by Japans contact with other cultures, particularly China (Shinto). The most striking feature of the Shinto religion is its great love and reverence for nature (Shinto). Due
to this orientation, a waterfall or "even an oddly shaped rock" may come to be regarded as a kami" (Shinto). Also charismatic and influential people are revered, as are abstracts,
such as growth or fertility (Shinto). The kami are not "transcendent deities" in the sense that is understood by Western or Indian conceptualizations of the divine (Shinto). They are spirits
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