Early Religions…

• Early Japan was ruled by powerful clans in mostly farming villages.

• The chief held political and religious power – Japanese believed clan chiefs were descended from nature spirits - kami

The Wedded Rocks

What is Kami?• The best English translation of kami is 'spirits', but this is an over-

simplification of a complex concept - kami can be elements of the landscape or forces of nature.• Kami are close to human beings and respond to human prayers. They

can influence the course of natural forces, and human events.• Shinto tradition says that there are eight million kami in Japan.

About Shintoism• Came to Japan before Buddhism• Shinto is the native religion in Japan with its roots

stretching back to 500 B.C., and is a poly-theistic one that believes almost any natural objects and even inanimate objects have spirits called kami.• Shinto means “way of the gods”• What other vocab word/concept is this similar to?

Hint: Africa

Shinto

Polytheism

AncestorWorship

Hyper-Nationalism

The Worldof the kamiMinimize

sin &guilt

GreatCreator

Shintoism• Kami beliefs and rituals became part of Shinto – the

traditional religion of Japan

• Shrines where people worshipped had gates called torii

"Four Affirmations” in Shinto

1) Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage. 2) Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Gods. Natural objects are worshipped as sacred spirits. 3) Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often. 4) "Matsuri": The worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits.

Origami!!!• Shinto followers often use origami to create shapes and leave them

around Shinto shrines.• Origami paper is never cut out of respect for the tree spirit that gave

its life to make the paper.

“The spirits be with you may they be”

Buddhism in Japan• The Buddhist religion became somewhat of an art

form during the Heian period. • Japanese nobles loved Buddhism because it reflected

their love for elaborate rituals. • Most common people did not have the money for

elaborate rituals. As a result, new forms of Buddhism began to develop in Japan.– Zen Buddhism

Buddhism• Nevertheless, during the course of the next half century, Japan

witnessed the firm establishment of Buddhism as a religion officially recognized and actively supported by the imperial court.• Buddhism and Shinto are both still practiced in Japan.

Let’s Make Some Origami!!!!• Get some construction paper and a template and see what you can

do!

Turn & Talk •In a single sentence, describe the main idea of Shintoism.•When I say go, you will share your sentence with your group and write a single “best” sentence to describe Shintoism.

Class Discussion

What do you

remember about

Buddhism?

Task 1: • One person will be assigned Buddhism and one person will be

assigned Shintoism.• Step 1: Read your material and highlight significant evidence. • Step 2: On your poster, summarize at least 4 bullet points that

describes the religion. • Step 3: Create one critical thinking question about the religion on the

bottom.

Task 2: Turn to your partner and answer one another’s critical thinking question.

Assessment• In your composition book, create a Venn diagram

comparing Shintoism and Buddhism.• You must put at least 3 bullet points each of the 3

areas on the Venn Diagram.

Wrap Up!1. Describe the religion of Shinto. (p 442)2. How did Buddhism change in Japan? (p 450)