2004 Autumn - Zazen - The Shinto Shrine - Tea Ceremony
Quintessential Kyoto — The Shinto Shrine
The heart of an ancient religion
photography by Yasunobu Kobayashi / text by Hiroko Nakano / illustration by Kiyoshi Kawaai
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Kazuo Honda is a priest at Heian Jingu shrine, dedicated to the first and last emperors of ancient Kyoto. |
Holding coexistence with nature as its ideal, Shintoism is deeply rooted in the daily life of the Japanese. As an agrarian society based on rice cultivation, people have espoused the Shinto pantheon — Amaterasu-o-mikami (the Sun Goddess) of Ise Jingu Shrine and hundreds of other divinities. Shinto shrines have been constructed all over the country. These are part of daily life for the Japanese, and visitors are always welcome.
Kazuo Honda, priest at Kyoto's Heian Jingu shrine, explains the relationship between the shrines and the Japanese people: "Nature is the foundation of man's existence. The Japanese have always felt in awe of nature, offering prayers to divinities and expressing gratitude through festivals at shrines. Even today, the custom of praying at shrines continues. People visit on the first day of each month, during annual festivals, and on annual visits to pray for good health and safety in the new year."
There is an etiquette that's customary when paying reverence at shrines. Honda says, "The most important thing is to show gratitude that we are allowed to live. If we pay reverence with a sense of appreciation, manners will be observed naturally. There are no absolute taboos in Shintoism."
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Omikuji (written fortunes)
Omikuji are fortunes written on slips of paper. English omikuji are available at Nishiki Tenmangu shrine and Jishu-jinja shrine in Kyoto. |
Hana-mifuda
The purified hana-mifuda are talisman drawings of seasonal plants |
Goshuin (seal of proof)
Goshuin are proof of a shrine or temple visit. Shrine (and deity) names are written in ink then stamped in red for about 3,000 yen. People collect them in goshuin-cho (small notebooks). |
Omamori (amulet)
Omamori are types of deities carried on one's person for specific purposes. |
How to pay reverence at a Shinto shrine
At the entrance of the shrine is a torii, or gateway, marking the sacred space where divinities dwell. Though not obligatory to pass under the torii, it is appropriate. It is polite to bow first. The stone walk from the torii to the shinden (sanctuary) is called sando. As you walk, keep to the left and humbly remember you're approaching the inner shrine. Return by the same route. Except for night ceremonies or festivals, it's best to visit during the day.
 1. Go to the chozuya (pavilion for ritual washing of hands and mouth). Dip water using right hand and pour it over left; then reverse. |
 2. After washing, shift dipper to right hand, pour water into left palm, rinse mouth, and quietly spit out the water. |
 3. Hold dipper handle upright in both hands; rinse it with remaining water to purify it. Return dipper to its original position. |
 4. Stop in front of the sanctuary, bow lightly, then approach. As on the stone walk, avoid the center of the path to show modesty. |
 5. Being aware that you are now standing close to the deity, ring the bell. It's like a doorbell to call the deity's attention. |
 6. Quietly toss any amount of money you wish into the offertory box. The amount does not matter if offered in sincere gratitude. |
 7. Bow twice, clap hands twice, and bow once. The first bows are deep and formal (90 degrees), showing respect toward the deity. |
 8. Join palms in front of chest. Shift right hand downward; clap to attract the deity and purify with otodama (spirit present in sound). |
 9. Return the right hand to original position and join palms together in prayer. If you want to make a wish, do so in silence. |
 10. Make one 90-degree bow. Move back three steps, make a light bow, and withdraw. Do not show your backside to the deity. |
Articles from the 2004 AUTUMN issue:
Articles from the 2004 AUTUMN issue:
Kateigaho International Edition Issues:
2005 SUMMER - 2005 SPRING - 2005 WINTER
2004 AUTUMN - 2004 SUMMER - 2004 SPRING - 2004 WINTER
2003 AUTUMN - INAUGURAL ISSUE
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