Author: Abu Ayesha
Shinto Religion (Part Nine)
Introduction
In the previous section, we wrote about the Kami and the gods of the Japanese people, their myths, and legends. In this section, we turn to another important topic in the Shinto religion—namely, their shrines and temples.
Shrines and temples hold great significance for the Japanese people. Most of them are dedicated either to one of the Kami or to renowned and distinguished figures. For this reason, just as people have always shown respect and reverence toward their leaders and notable figures, they also view these shrines with the same regard. In this part of our research, we will discuss this matter in more detail. However, as mentioned, some shrines are considered more important than others; therefore, much of our study will focus on the most famous Shinto shrine, Ise (or Ize), since it is highly renowned and respected, and sources have given it notable attention.
Shinto Shrines and Temples
Shrines, which serve as places of worship for the deities of Shinto, are the most fundamental material element of the Shinto religion and its culture. There are about 80,000 large and small Shinto shrines across Japan, each with considerable historical significance. Shinto followers believe that the spirits of the deities reside within sacred objects preserved in these shrines. The sanctity of a shrine depends either on the natural holiness of its location or on sacred ceremonies once held there.[1]
Shinto temples, known as Jinja, are sacred places where the Kami are worshipped. These temples are usually built in natural surroundings and are often marked by red gates (Torii), symbolizing entry into a sacred space. Inside the shrines, people honor the Kami by offering food, drink, and other gifts, seeking blessings, protection, or good fortune. [2]
By the mid-17th century, Shinto shrines gained greater prominence with the support of Emperor Tenmu (673–686) and Empress Jitō (686–697). Emperor Tenmu also ordered the compilation of Japan’s early history, which produced two great works: Kojiki (712) and Nihon Shoki (720). He placed major shrines under imperial protection and personally visited the Ise Shrine in 674, considering it his ancestral shrine. A religious movement was underway to establish the imperial family as the descendants of Amaterasu. Since ancient Japanese kings and queens were often thought to possess shamanic power, serving as high priests or priestesses, associating emperors and empresses with Amaterasu was not difficult. Thus, court poets described Tenmu and Jimmu as living Kami. This connection between the imperial family and Shinto mythology later became the axis of Japanese nationalism and still remains a sensitive matter for many Japanese today. [3]
The Abundance of Shinto Shrines
One very important point about Shinto shrines is that, just as there are many Kami in this religion, so too are there many shrines—widespread and numerous across Japan. Some shrines serve not only as temples but also as tombs and sacred resting places for the deities. The importance of a shrine is ranked according to the Kami enshrined within it. Among the most revered shrines, the Ise Shrine holds the highest status. (Since multiple sources recorded its name as both Ise and Ize, we have chosen to present both forms.) Below, we will discuss in detail the construction, features, and significance of this shrine in Japanese culture.
Ise Shrine: The Most Famous Shinto Shrine
The Great Ise Shrine was founded around 300 CE, when Amaterasu was removed from the imperial palace because the emperor feared he could not worship her in a manner worthy of her status. Initially, Amaterasu’s care was entrusted to his daughter, and then to his aunt, Yamato, who embarked on a long journey to find the best place for the goddess.[4] Eventually, she discovered a highly sacred and important location, where the grand shrine was established.
Some myths and legends accompany this story, though they are not directly related to our discussion; therefore, we will not address them here. For further detail, see the source from which this account was taken.
“Ise” is located in the southernmost part of the Japanese islands, near the inland sea, an area regarded as the birthplace of Japan’s ancient culture. There stands the largest Shinto shrine, housing the sacred sanctuary of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and it is connected by a long, tree-lined avenue to other shrines, such as that of the food goddess Toyouke-hime. This shrine is considered more sacred than all others—so much so that every Japanese is expected to visit it at least once in their lifetime. Built of cypress wood in ancient Shinto architectural style, the shrine also serves as a treasury that safeguards precious and sacred ancient relics.[5]
The Structures of the Ise Shrine
The oldest tradition of Shinto shrine architecture can be seen at Ise, preserving the form of prehistoric wooden houses. Its thatched roof and two-part design rest on two free-standing pillars at the front of wooden walls. These shrines are dedicated to the forces of nature and are located in sacred areas. The Ise Shrine complex consists of two main parts: the Naikū (Inner Shrine) and the Gekū (Outer Shrine), which lies about six kilometers away. The Ise Shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and at first consisted only of an enclosed open space. The present buildings date back to the mid-seventh century, and ever since—except for one instance—they have been rebuilt every twenty years on adjacent grounds.[6]
One unique feature of the Ise Shrine is the ritual of Shikinen Sengū—the periodic rebuilding of the shrine structures every twenty years at both the inner and outer complexes. This ritual vividly demonstrates the immense effort to preserve the ancient Shinto faith up to the present day, and how deeply the life of the people remains intertwined with the activities of the shrine.[7]
Continues…
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References:
[1]. Website of the Specialized Analytical Center for Society and Culture of Nations, article title: A Look at Shinto and Buddhism, Two Popular Religions in Japan, written in 2021 (1400 AH/solar).
[2]. Website (Magazine) Roshana’i, group of authors, published in 2024 (1403 AH/solar), article title: The Story of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess in Japanese Mythology.
[3]. Culture of Japan, written by several anthropological and cultural thinkers; author of the mentioned article: Hamideh Amirizdani, n.d., p. 116.
[4]. Yusa, Michiko. Japanese Religions. Translated by Hasan Afshar. First Edition, 2003 (1382 AH/solar), pp. 29–30.
[5]. John Noss. Man’s Religions (History of Religions). Translated by Ali Asghar Hekmat. Third Edition, 1975 (1354 AH/solar). Published with the cooperation of Franklin Publishing Institute, p. 289.
[6]. Medqalchi, Engineer Leila. Religious Concepts of Shinto and Their Influence on the Architecture of Japanese Shrines. 2010 (1389 AH/solar), p. 6.
[7]. Yusa, Michiko. Japanese Religions. Translated by Hasan Afshar. First Edition, 2003 (1382 AH/solar), p. 32.
