Shinto

[Lucius]

Someone here at MW once asked me about Shintoism and Japanese Mythology. I've replied to various threads on the subject and even posted a few of my own if I recall correctly. Anyway, my point in this thread is that I've found a wonderful site where you can read the WHOLE ENTIRE Kojiki, Nihongi, and even view the Yengishiki. The Kojiki is the sacred text that describes the births of the gods and the creation of the world. The Nihongi gives detail on Japan from the beginning to the semi-present. The Yengishiki are the Shinto Rituals that they practiced in ancient times. If anyone is interested in learning about Japanese mythology, deities, and the like...I'd highly reccomend this site: http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/index.htm

[Lucius]

*bump*

[WandererInGray]

Thank you! :D

[Hoot]

Yeppers, thank you Lucius! I completely missed this before, and I'd like to learn more about Shintoism.

[Lucius]

Glad to be of help and I'm glad I decided to bump it. I think that Shintoism needs more attention. ;)

[~ Monk ~]

Shintoism is something that's been on my radar but I have yet to explore in any depth. Nice link!

[Laisrean]

Hello Lucius. I see you are also from Michigan. :)

[Lucius]

I sure am. :floating:

[lorhawks]

hmmm.... To start off, I am no authority on shintoism. Just through light browsing and perusing that website, a couple things struck me. First, it was the fact that even in shinto, a woman caused a great upset in the first child-deity born, by speaking before a man, creating the "leech-child". Second, it seems that much of the mythology of creation is based on human bodily functions performed by higher-than-human beings. Both of these things were strange to me, not bad, just different. Often, when watching Japanese films, I have found myself confused by obvious cultural references that were foreign to me, and wondered "where does that stem from, and what is the alliteration there?" In american culture, many of us have become numb to many of the small, suggestive details that writers and directors use as means to further an idea (for example, storms and lightning to symbolize creation or a red rose for love). It is interesting to learn more of another culture, and the symbols which are commonplace for those people. Thank you for sharing this website, I will enjoy reading/studying more.

[IvyWitch]

Acually, what is very interesting to note about the first child of Izanami and Izanagi is that the subservient role of the female in the creation myth is very out of place in Shinto beliefs and Japanese culture. The oral tradition of the Ainu, some of the earliest people living in Japan saw women as very powerful figures in thier society. Ainu women were shamans, and also warriors of skill equal to men. Until the late 8th century, women often ruled some of the small political states of Japan. Women did not take a subservient role until around the 16th century. In the myths, the principle deity is a female - Amaterasu Omikami is the ruler of all the Gods and the universe. She is also the Mother Goddess figure. So, it is particularly interesting that a myth written in the early 8th century should have such a masculine bias.
*edited to add: I'm not really an authority either, it just happens to be my chosen pantheon. sorry if I sound too scholarly. lol*

[lorhawks]

That is an interesting point, and it makes you wonder- what happened? Why is this incongruency there at all?

[DarkSidhe]

Wayyyy kewl, Lucius. :D