Shintoism is a Japanese religion. Its origins are unclear, but some scholars believe it is the name given to combined religious practices, some dating back to prehistoric Japan. Others believe Shintoism is simply a way of life that grew out of a natural love for everything and everyone. Japan has thousands of Shinto shrines, sacred places where spirits (kami) dwell. (In the Shinto religion, the source of all creation and the unexplainable essences of the universe are called kami.) Different shrines are visited for specific divine powers (shintoku). Students visit certain shrines to seek help with their studies, and sick people come to other shrines for the healing powers. Some shrines give protection from accidents, while other shrines are popular with couples seeking to bless their marriages. Mostly life-cycle celebrations and community festivals take place at the shrines.
The Japanese often combine religions, and it is not unusual for the same person to have had a Shinto wedding and a Buddhist funeral. It is common, though not universal, for a baby to be brought to the Shinto shrine by its mother or grandmother so that prayers may be said for its good health. Hatsu miyamairi (first shrine visit) takes place on the 32nd day after birth for a boy and the 33rd day for a girl. At this ceremony, the baby is introduced to the spirits (kami) and becomes a member of the shrine. The shichi-go-san (seven-five-three) festival is held throughout Japan on the nearest Sunday to November 15. Parents with threeand seven-year-old boys and five-year-old girls dress them in traditional kimonos and bring them to the shrine for a ceremony. At the shrine, parents give thanks for their children's good health and growth so far and pray for their future. Seijin-no-hi is on the second Sunday in January. The once a year coming-of-age ceremony is held for all who turn 20 throughout the year. On this day, Japanese youth are granted full rights as citizens. Families spend huge amounts of money on traditional clothing and photos for a ceremony that lasts less than an hour.
Most women attend this ceremony in a colorful furisode, a long sleeved kimono worn by single women. The s/zmzen kekkon-sai is a marriage ceremony before the kami (spirit). The majority of wedding ceremonies in Japan include Shinto rituals while others are Western-style, Christian events, popular since World War II. Shinto weddings became popular in the early 1900s after the very first royal wedding was performed by Shinto priests. Some Shinto shrines have a special hall to accommodate wedding parties. If the ceremony is not held at the shrine, the priests often officiate at public wedding halls or hotel ballrooms. Buddhist monks are looked upon as ritual specialists, and they are often called upon to chant the sutras that will benefit the deceased and to conduct all funeral rites and memorial services; the funeral services for the two religions are very similar. To help the deceased on its journeys to the beyond, mourners make offerings of paper "spirit money," along with wine, incense, and food, such as fish, fowl, and vegetables.
Instead of burning incense as the Buddhists do, the Shinto mourners offer strips of white paper and twigs of the sacred sakaki tree. Selecting a proper location for the grave is very important, and a Feng shui sien sheng (a specialist in grave placement matters) is consulted for the best site. The heirs must maintain the grave, and they are expected to make occasional offerings. Within one hundred days of the burial, a memorial service is held in the home of the oldest male heir. The Shinto priest offers prayers and reads an account of the life of the deceased.
The Shinto ancestral tablet, containing a picture and the name of the deceased, is made of plain wood. It is dedicated by the priest and placed on the home altar along with Joss-sticks (special incense), which are lit and placed on the tablet. Newlyweds traditionally bow before the altar as a sign of respect. According to Shinto beliefs, overseeing the proper funeral for a family member and making regular offerings to the ancestors are critical if the living descendants expect to have a successful and a good life.
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