Questions pertaining to the traditional Japanese polytheistic religion Shinto 神道
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto
Questions tagged [shinto]
23 questions
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Why was Amaterasu so angered by the flayed horse that Susanoo threw at her?
One rather memorable event in the Shinto creation narrative is that Amaterasu retreated into her cave (the Ama-no-Iwato) after Susanoo did a bunch of awful things to her. One of the things Susanoo did was throw a flayed horse at her.
Now, I can see…
senshin
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What is the Japanese human origin myth?
How did Shinto (the traditional Japanese polytheistic religion) explain human origin?
Also, does it have a flood myth?
Andrew Johnson
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Japanese Trickster Demons
Are there any trickster demons in Japanese mythology, I am aware of the somewhat tricksy Japanese god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, but are there any demons known for tricking people in Japanese mythology?
John Doe
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How were sun-showers viewed?
A sun-shower is when it rains while the sun is shining.
In Japanese culture/Shinto Mythology, sun-showers were/are believed to be the result of two Kitsune (fox spirits) getting married. It was viewed as good luck.
Do any other cultures/Mythologies…
Andrew Johnson
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Do the gods Ameteratsu and Inari have any consorts?
The goddess Ameteratsu is the Japanese Sun goddess and the queen of the deities of the Shinto pantheon. Inari is the Japanese deity of agriculture and food.Both of these gods are very popular in the Shinto pantheon and I am wondering if they have…
user1385
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Are there any sort of chief pantheon in Japanese mythology? Who do they consist of?
I've read some of the more well known ones like Izanagi and Izanami...Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, and Orochi... I mostly want to know about the Shinto side but Japanese Buddhism legends are good too. I know about Hotei/Budai on that end. Mostly,…
Hush
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If the ox tiger is an unlucky direction, why build an entrance to it?
On the Oni Wikipedia, scrolled down to Demon Gate, it says that in Chinese Taoism and traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology (Onmyōdō), the direction northeast (though the wiki uses northeasterly) is an unlucky direction. On the animal zodiac…
Andrew Johnson
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Why 1000 years and not 900 or 800 years for kitsune to ascend to heaven?
After reaching 1,000 years of age gaining its ninth tail, a kitsune turns a golden color, becoming a 'Tenko' (天狐 "heavenly fox"/"celestial fox"), the most powerful form of the kitsune, and then ascends to the heavens.
Kitsune are presumably…
Andrew Johnson
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What is the extent of control over a kitsune?
Kitsune have something called a Hoshi no tama, star ball or kitsune ball. They are white and/or gold orbs. The orb is like a kitsune's life force so they hide it, usually in their mouths or on their tails. If someone manages to get a hold of the…
Andrew Johnson
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Is there a kami of Aokigahara?
I read on a site that Aokigahara have a kami, but when I search on I do not think anything about, does anyone know anything?
I also read once that kamis are affected by the energy of where they live, as a place where people go to kill themselves…
Hu Wan
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What is the meaning behind Amaterasu-ōmikami meaning what it does?
Amaterasu-ōmikami means "the great august kami (deity) who shines in the heaven." Why is it specifically august? What does the goddess name meaning august mean?
Andrew Johnson
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What else was done to Amaterasu?
In this question, it mentions Amaterasu (Amaterasu-omikami) retreated into her cave after Susanoo (Susano'o) did a bunch of things to her. It does not elaborate further on this, save for the flayed horse thrown at her weaving girls.
How else did…
Andrew Johnson
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Is there a Japanese equivalent to the three fates?
I am not looking for an exact equivalent(i.e. Shinto god/goddess/gods/goddesses of fate), but if there is, by all means, please let us know.
I am looking more along the lines of, do/did those who practice Shintoism believe in set fate or destiny?
I…
Andrew Johnson
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What is the significance of soy beans in the Japanese custom of Setsubun?
During the Setsubun festival in February, it is customary to 'cast out' roasted soy beans and say,
"Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("鬼は外！福は内！", "Oni go out! Blessings come in!").
What is the significance of the soy beans? Why does it have to be soy…
Andrew Johnson
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Can kitsune die/be killed?
The closest thing I got from looking this up is a game. But I kind of need a non-modern interpretation answer for an idea I'm working on.
In the Edo period (1603–1867), kitsune were seen as witch animals. With a little research, I found out that…
Andrew Johnson
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