This is the concluding excerpt from a book to be published by Stone Bridge in Novemer 2023 entitled Off the Beaten Tracks in Japan. It concerns the kamikaze museum at Chiran, on the way between the most southerly manned … Read the rest
Category: Social values (Page 1 of 5)
Farming with Kami, Shinto Spiritual Beings
by guest contributor, Sally Writes
Early Shinto was once centered around rice-planting agricultural festivals and reverence for life. As the religion evolved, the importance of rice agriculture remained and Shinto rituals still play a … Read the rest
Sincerity, loyalty, self-sacrifice. Zen or Shinto values?
Mindfulness is a key concept in both Zen and Shinto. Purification and egolessness too.
Harae (purification) and kegare (impurity) in Shinto resemble Delusion and Attachment in Buddhism. The goal in both religions … Read the rest
For those in need of a little midwinter relief at this time of long dark nights in the northern hemisphere, the Japan Today site has a light-hearted look at omikuji fortune slips. It’s designed to introduce Japanese customs to … Read the rest
There’s been a notable upturn in Halloween decorations this year in Japan, and I have the impression the festival is about to be celebrated with more gusto here than in the West. Green Shinto has written before of the way … Read the rest
Green Shinto friend Amy Chavez has written an article for Rocket News in which she lists 17 positive things about Japan. Here’s her listing…
1) Returning favours
2) Thanking people
3) Politeness
4) Putting others first
5) Including everyone … Read the rest
Actions speak louder than words. While prime minister Abe was making a carefully coded statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2, three of his cabinet ministers were allowed to visit Yasukuni JInja. Legitimising the shrine that … Read the rest