The Essence of Shinto
Japan’s Spiritual Heart
by Motohisa Yamakage
In The Essence of Shinto, revered Shinto master Motohisa Yamakage explains the core values of Shinto and explores both basic tenets and its more esoteric points in terms readily accessible to the modern Western reader. He shows how the long history of Shintoism is deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese spirituality and mythology--indeed, it is regarded as Japan’s very spiritual roots--and discusses its role in modern Japan and the world. He also carefully analyses the relationship of the spirit and the soul, which will provide informed and invaluable insight into how spirituality affects our daily existence. Through the author’s emphasis on the universality of Shinto and its prevalence in the natural world, the book will appeal to all readers with an appreciation of humanity’s place in nature and the individual’s role in the larger society.
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Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 Shinto for the New Millennium
Times are changing
A wake-up call to the Shinto establishment
Revival of original Shinto
Exchange and co-existence among religions
The idea of child-spirit (bunrei)
Reverence towards nature
Variety of religious perception
The flexibility and tolerance of Shinto
Chapter 2 What is Shinto?
Shinto is a religion unique to the Japanese people
Shinto has no founder
Shinto has no doctrines
Shinto has no precepts or commandments
Shinto has no idols
Shinto has no organization
The tragedy of “not-having-any”
Japanese atheists and faithless Japanese
Characteristics of Shinto
What is koshinto (ancient Shinto)?
Chapter 3 What is Jinja?
No need for a “building”
Kannabi, iwasaka, himorogi
The mystery of iwakura—rock seat
After the Spirit of Kami descends a place becomes jinja
The proper attitude of mind for welcoming Kami
Why jinja avoids kegare (impurity or uncleanness)
Opening the path to Kami
The domain for the lower-level spirits
What is the household shrine (kamidana)?
Chapter 4 The Idea of Misogi (Purification)
Four types of purification (seimei seichoku)
Misogi is the cornerstone of Shinto
Misogi was originally practiced in the ocean
The conceptual level of misogi
Purifying materials
Cutting off contact with unclean spirits
Keeping our thinking “clean and bright”
Chapter 5 The Idea of Harai
What is harai?
Harai with heaven or celestial cleansing
The mystery of the great purifying words (oharai no kotoba)
The great incantation (daijinju) of Yamakage Shinto
Harai of the spirit of sounds (otodama)
Harai with earth and salt
Harai with human beings
What is kegare?
Human beings have the potential to become Kami
The idea of musubi
Chapter 6 Koshinto: Theory of One Spirit, Four Souls
The philosophy of one spirit, four souls (ichirei shikon)
One Spirit (ichirei)
Four Souls (shikon)
The great spirit of the universe of the great circle
Systematic tabel of ichirei shikon
The function of shikon
The spiritual structure of human beings
Death and the theory of Four Souls
Chapter 7 Koshinto: View of the “Other World”
Where do human beings go after death?
Ancient views of the world after death
The spirit-soul journey
The spirits of kami protect the dead during the transition to the other world (yukai)
Why do kannushi not perform the funeral at the Shinto shrine?
What is the memorial service for the dead?
Chapter 8 The Systematic Training Method of Chinkon
The Kami within
Living in the flow of eternity
The meaning of chinkon
The sequential order of chinkon
The awakening of the soul (furutama)
The breathing method
How to get rid of worldly thoughts
Beginning with “one thought, one mind”
Various realms
The secret knowledge of Yamakage Shinto
Seeking the clean and bright heart/mind
What are the characteristics of persons experiencing the deep realm?
The path to service
What is prayer?
Prayer as a dedication of gratitude toward Kami
Sincere wishes are truly realized
What to do when you visit a shrine to pay respect to Kami?
Prayer is chinkon
Looking steadily into your inner mind is chinkon
Afterword
Notes
Appendix I
The many names of Kami
The hierarchy of Kami
Polytheism and monotheism
Appendix II
Practice of chinkon at Yamakage Shinto training center
Misogiharai no kotoba
Oharai no kotoba
Daijinju and ajimarikan
Ama no kazoeuta
Dedication of gratitude toward Kami
Additional Terms
Biographical Notes
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Hardcover Edition
232 pages.
ISBN: 9781568364377
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About the Author
Motohisa Yamakage (Japanese: 山蔭基央; 1925 – 2013) was a Japanese Shinto priest and writer. He was the 79th head of the Yamakage Shinto sect.