Shinto Shrines : A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan’s Ancient Religion

Of Japan's two great religious traditions, Shinto is far less known and understood in the West. Although there are a number of books that explain the religion and its philosophy, this work is the first in English to focus on sites where Shinto has been practiced since the dawn of Japanese history. In an extensive introductory section, authors Joseph Cali and John Dougill delve into the fascinating aspects of Shinto, clarifying its relationship with Buddhism as well as its customs, symbolism, and pilgrimage routes. This is followed by a fully illustrated guide to 57 major Shinto shrines throughout Japan, many of which have been designated World Heritage Sites or National Treasures. In each comprehensive entry, the authors highlight important spiritual and physical features of the individual shrines (architecture, design, and art), associated festivals, and enshrined gods. They note the prayers offered and, for travelers, the best times to visit. With over 125 color photographs and 50 detailed illustrations of archetypical Shinto objects and shrines, this volume will enthrall not only those interested in religion but also armchair travelers and visitors to Japan alike. Whether you are planning to visit the actual sites or take a virtual journey, this guide is the perfect companion. Visit Joseph Cali's Shinto Shrines of Japan: The Blog Guide: http: //(http://shintoshrinesofjapanblogguide.blogspot.jp/) shintoshrinesofjapanblogguide.blogspo... . Visit John Dougill's Green Shinto, "dedicated to the promotion of an open, international and environmental Shinto" http: //(http://www.greenshinto.com/wp/) www.greenshinto.com/wp/ . Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 8 What Is Shinto? Its History and the Belief in Kami......Page 13 The “Divine Age” and the Cosmology of the Kojiki and Nihon shoki......Page 19 The Relation to Shinto of Buddhism, Shugendo, Confucianism, Five-Element and Yin/Yang Theory (Onmyodo), Daoism, and Christianity......Page 23 Shinto Today......Page 30 Evolution of the Jinja......Page 39 What Is a Matsuri? The Role of the Festival in Worship and Community Culture......Page 54 The Guide......Page 58 Tokyo......Page 60 Akasaka Hikawa Jinja......Page 62 Asakusa Jinja......Page 64 Kameido Tenjinsha......Page 68 Kanda Jinja (Kanda Myojin)......Page 71 Meiji Jingu......Page 76 Nezu Jinja......Page 82 Tomioka Hachimangu......Page 85 Ueno Toshogu......Page 88 Yasukuni Jinja......Page 92 Yushima Tenmangu (Yushima Tenjin)......Page 97 Kyoto......Page 100 Fushimi Inari Taisha......Page 102 Heian Jingu......Page 105 Hirano Jinja......Page 109 Iwashimizu Hachimangu......Page 111 Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja (Kamigamo Jinja)......Page 116 Kamo Mioya Jinja (Shimogamo Jinja)......Page 120 Kifune Jinja (Kibune Jinja)......Page 124 Kitano Tenmangu......Page 129 Matsuo Taisha (Matsunoo Taisha)......Page 133 Seimei Jinja......Page 137 Ujigami Jinja......Page 140 Yasaka Jinja (Gion-sha)......Page 144 Yoshida Jinja......Page 149 Nara......Page 154 Himuro Jinja......Page 156 Isonokami Jingu......Page 158 Kasuga Taisha......Page 161 Omiwa Jinja......Page 165 Tamukeyama Hachimangu......Page 169 Kanto......Page 172 Aiki Jinja......Page 174 Kashima Jingu......Page 177 Katori Jingu......Page 181 Kawagoe Hikawa......Page 185 Nikko Toshogu......Page 189 Suwa Taisha......Page 196 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu......Page 201 Tokai......Page 206 Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha and the Sengen Shrines of Mount Fuji......Page 208 Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja......Page 212 Shizuoka Sengen Jinja......Page 213 Murayama Sengen Jinja......Page 214 Ise Jingu......Page 215 Kunozan Toshogu......Page 224 Tsubaki Okami Yashiro......Page 227 Chugoku and Kinki......Page 230 Hiyoshi Taisha (Hie Taisha)......Page 232 Itsukushima Jinja......Page 236 Izumo Taisha (Izumo Oyashiro)......Page 239 Kibitsu Jinja......Page 244 Kumano Sanzan......Page 247 Kumano Hongu Taisha......Page 248 Kumano Hayatama Taisha......Page 251 Kumano Nachi Taisha......Page 254 Sumiyoshi Taisha......Page 257 Tsukubusuma Jinja......Page 262 Kyushu and Shikoku......Page 266 Dazaifu Tenmangu......Page 268 Hakozakigu......Page 272 Munakata Taisha......Page 275 Udo Jingu......Page 281 Usa Jingu......Page 284 Yutoku Inari Jinja......Page 289 Isaniwa Jinja......Page 292 Kotohiragu (Konpira-san)......Page 295 Oyamazumi Jinja......Page 299 Shrines included in this book......Page 304 Calendar of Matsuri......Page 306 Glossary......Page 316 Suggested Reading......Page 322 Index......Page 324 Acknowledgments......Page 329 Back Cover......Page 330 Tokyo 59 -- Akasaka Hikawa Jinja 61 -- Asakusa Jinja 63 -- Kameido Tenjinsha 67 -- Kanda Jinja (kanda Myojin) 70 -- Meiji Jingu 75 -- Nezu Jinja 81 -- Tomioka Hachimangu 84 -- Ueno Toshogu 87 -- Yasukuni Jinja 91 -- Yushima Tenmangu (yushima Tenjin) 96 -- Kyoto 93 -- Fushimi Inari Taisha 101 -- Heian Jingu 104 -- Hirano Jinja 108 -- Iwashimizu Hachimangu 110 -- Kamo Wakeikazuchi Jinja (kamigamo Jinja) 115 -- Kamo Mioya Jinja (shimogamo Jinja) 119 -- Kifune Jinja (kibune Jinja) 123 -- Kitano Tenmangu 128 -- Matsuo Taisha (matsunoo Taisha) 132 -- Seimei Jinja 136 -- Ujigami Jinja 139 -- Yasaka Jinja (gion-sha) 143 -- Yoshida Jinja 148 -- Nara 153 -- Himuro Jinja 155 -- Isonokami Jingu 157 -- Kasuga Taisha 160 -- Omiwa Jinja 164 -- Tamukeyama Hachimangu 168 -- Kanto 171 -- Aiki Jinja 173 -- Kashima Jingu 176 -- Katori Jingu 180 -- Kawagoe Hikawa 184 -- Nikko Toshogu 188 -- Suwa Taisha 195 -- Tsurugaoka Hachimangu 200 -- Tokai 205 -- Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha And The Sengen Shrines Of Mount Fuji 207 -- Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja 211 -- Shizuoka Sengen Jinja 212 -- Yamamiya Sengen Jinja 213 -- Murayama Sengen Jinja 213 -- Taisekiji 214 -- Ise Jingu 214 -- Kunozan Toshogu 223 -- Tsutaki Okami Yashiro 226 -- Chugoku And Kinki 229 -- Hiyoshi Taisha (hie Taisha) 231 -- Itsukushima Jinja 235 -- Izumo Taisha (izumo Oyashiro) 238 -- Kibitsu Jinja 243 -- Kumano Sanzan 246 -- Kumano Hongu Taisha 247 -- Kumano Hayatama Taisha 250 -- Kumano Nachi Taisha 253 -- Sumiyoshi Taisha 256 -- Tsukubusuma Jinja 261 -- Kyushu And Shikoku 265 -- Dazaifu Tenmangu 267 -- Hakozakigu 271 -- Munakata Taisha 274 -- Udo Jingu 280 -- Usa Jingu 283 -- Yutoku Inari Jinja 288 -- Isaniwa Jinja 291 -- Kotohiragu (konpira-san) 294 -- Oyamazumi Jinja 298. Joseph Cali With John Dougill ; Illustrations By Geoff Ciotti. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 321-322) And Index. In recent years, there has been a significant surge in interest in spiritual matters, including a noticeable move toward Eastern religions such as Shintoism. Until now, however, there has been no resource in English providing extensive information about Shinto shrines for the many Westerners who travel to Japan to visit these sites. With over 100 color photos, fifty black-and-white detailed illustrations, and maps, this handy guidebook showcases sixty-six major Shinto shrines, many of which are World Heritage Sites or National Treasures. In their opening section, the authors introduce both basic and fascinating aspects of this ancient religion, which remains intricately woven into the very fabric of Japanese culture. They discuss the history of Shintoism and its fundamental tenets; its relationship to Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and other Eastern belief systems; customs and rites; and types of festivals. The Guide portion of the book is organized by region of the country. For each shrine, there is a comprehensive entry highlighting important spiritual features, physical features of the structure itself (architecture, design, and art), associated festivals, and enshrined gods. The authors also note the prayers offered, and the best times for travelers to visit. The comprehensive histories of each shrine, taken as a whole, provides a comprehensive look at Shinto and its connection to such aspects of Japanese culture as martial arts, samurai, pirates and poetry. An excellent jumping off point on a tour of Japan and its culture. "Of Japan’s two great religious traditions, Shinto is far less known and understood in the West. Although there are a number of books that explain the religion and its philosophy, this work is the first in English to focus on sites where Shinto has been practiced since the dawn of Japanese history. In an extensive introductory section, authors Joseph Cali and John Dougill delve into the fascinating aspects of Shinto, clarifying its relationship with Buddhism as well as its customs, symbolism, and pilgrimage routes. This is followed by a fully illustrated guide to 57 major Shinto shrines throughout Japan, many of which have been designated World Heritage Sites or National Treasures. In each comprehensive entry, the authors highlight important spiritual and physical features of the individual shrines (architecture, design, and art), associated festivals, and enshrined gods. They note the prayers offered and, for travelers, the best times to visit. With over 125 color photographs and 50 detailed illustrations of archetypical Shinto objects and shrines, this volume will enthrall not only those interested in religion but also armchair travelers and visitors to Japan alike. Whether you are planning to visit the actual sites or take a virtual journey, this guide is the perfect companion."-- Site de l'éditeur Of Japan's Two Great Religious Traditions, Buddhism and Shinto, the latter is far less known and understood in the West. Although there are a number of books that explain the religion and its philosophy, this work is the first in English to focus on sites where Shinto has been practiced since the drawn of Japanese history. In an extensive introductory section, authors Joseph Cali and John Dougill delve into the fascinating aspects of Shinto, clarifying its relationship with Buddhism as well as its customs, symbolism, and pilgrimage routes. This is followed by a fully illustrated guide to 57 major Shinto shrines throughout Japan, many of which have been designated World Heritage Sites or National Treasures. In each comprehensive entry, the authors highlight important spiritual and physical features of the individual shrines (architecture, design, and art), associated festivals, and enshrined gods. They note the prayers offered and, for travelers, the best times to visit. With more than 125 color photographs and 50 detailed illustrations of archetypical Shinto objects and shrines, this volume will enthrall not only those interested in religion but also armchair travelers and visitors to Japan alike Of Japan's two great religious traditions, Shinto is far less known and understood in the West. Although there are a number of books that explain the religion and its philosophy, this work is the first in English to focus on sites where Shinto has been practiced since the dawn of Japanese history. In an extensive introductory section, the authors delve into the fascinating aspects of Shinto, clarifying its relationship with Buddhism as well as its customs, symbolism, and pilgrimage routes. This is followed by a fully illustrated guide to 57 major Shinto shrines throughout Japan, many of which have been designated World Heritage Sites or National Treasures. In each comprehensive entry, the authors highlight important spiritual and physical features of the individual shrines (architecture, design, and art), associated festivals, and enshrined gods. They note the prayers offered and, for travelers, the best times to visit. With over 125 color photographs and 50 detailed illustrations of archetypical Shinto objects and shrines, this volume will appeal not only to those interested in religion but also to armchair travelers and visitors to Japan alike