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polytheistic religions

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recognize multiple divine beings

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Japan

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when we think of Japanese life, we think of Tokyo, skyscrapers, many people, luxurious European-inspired shops in the Ginza quarter

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on the other hand, in Kyoto, the former Japanese capital, we encounter a different universe

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traditional temples

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shrines

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beautiful landscapes with mountains and rivers

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the people's ancient lifestyle seems to be preserved

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a mixture of modern and tradition objects in the same space and time

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this can be seen as chaos or harmony

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harmony is a very important notion in Japanese aesthetics

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or we can say that Japanese people live in an chaotic harmony, or in a harmonious chaos

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for Japanese people, traditional buildings can be located just beside a Western-inspired and contemporary building

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it was surprising at first, but these newcomers become accepted

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each element, person, animal, object has its place, its meaning and its beauty

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Buddhism

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arrived in Japan at the end of the 5th century CE

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Confucianism consider as a series of life disciplines, was developed during the Edo period

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Edo period (1603 and 1868)

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Shinto

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the indigenous faith of the Japanese people

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Japan's major religion alongside Buddhism

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Kami

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spirit

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divinity

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800 gods

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Japanese have a sense of balance and tolerance toward religion

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although nobody in Japan is obliged to adhere to Shintoism, it is considered to be Japan's authentic religion

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Torii gates

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New Year's Day, January 1, is very important for Japanese people

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the first rays of sunlight are important

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the sun is represented by the Goddess Amaterasu no Omikami

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the incarnation of th origins of all life on earth

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regarded as one of the most important divinities in the Shinto religion

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elements of nature

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for each element of nature, there is at least one divine spirit linked to it

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inspire daily life

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Oinari-san (fox)

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god's messenger who bring people wise and intelligent commercial skills

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dog

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celebrated as the protector of mothers to be because it safely gives birth to many puppies itself

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Tenjin-sama, or Sacred Bull

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related to intelligence and success

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Kaeru (to return), frog

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symbolizes a safe return trip home

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crane and turtle

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symbols of long life

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Meoto-iwa (couple of rocks)

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pair of rocks in the sea

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incarnation of the kami Izanami no mikoto and Izanagi no mikoto

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they gave birth to the over 2000 small islands that formed Japan

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each element of nature is related to a divinity

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see, land, thunder, wind, the sun, the moon

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these often play a role in Japanese fairy tales, e.g. snow and rivers

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Ise Grand shrine

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in the Mie prefecture

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Shinto divinities are celebrated

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the goddess of the Sun

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the prince of the Moon

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the goddess of food

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pilgrims come by and pay tribute

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every twenty years these divinities move to new houses

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they prepare for eight years before the move

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reasons nature has come to be so respected in Japan

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the Japanese are forced to deal with it often

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see violent nature acts as an expression of anger of nature

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or anger of their ancestors

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typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, cold weather, and lack of sunlight

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rice needs warm weather and quality water

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strong rains bring dirty water

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Japanese wisdom to live in and with Nature

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human beings are tolerated by nature