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Shinto shrine

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A Shinto shrine is a Shinto shrine in Japan. Unlike a church or a mosque, these shrines traditionally have neither characteristics of a chapel nor a place for propagation; its sole purpose is for the enshrinement and worship of a kami (deity).

The most famous Shinto shrine is Ise Shrine, which is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Ise Shrine's Inner Shrine, Naikū, has a national treasure in its possession. Purportedly the home of the Sacred Mirror, the shrine is arguably Shinto's holiest and most important site.

Origin

It is believed that a Shinto shrine had originally been only a temporary shrine constructed for a periodical festivals at a sacred place such as a mountain or cave. This was because it had been believed that kami would move around as much as any animal, and could not be confined. Okinawa's Utaki retains some of these beliefs.

However, after a permanent shrine called a shaden (社殿) was built, it was reasoned that a kami would take residence inside a jinja. Some believe that the practice of constructing shaden is from Buddhism; even today, many jinja from ancient times do not have shaden, but only a place to pray while looking out to a sacred place or a specific area which must not be entered.

Facilities

Romon at Isonokami Jingu in Tenri, Nara

A jinja has several facilities within its boundaries, including a honden (本殿) and haiden (拝殿). The honden is the building that contains the goshintai (御神体); literally, "the sacred body of the kami". Of these, only the haiden is open to the laity. The honden is located behind the haiden and is much smaller and undecorated. Other notable jinja facilities are torii that serve as sacred gates for entering a jinja, chōzuya (手水舎) where one is supposed to cleanse one's hands and mouth, and shamusho (社務所) administrate a jinja.

During the Nara period and into the early Meiji period, it was not uncommon for a Buddhist temple to be built inside or next to a jinja. When a jinja houses a Buddhist temple, it is called a jinguji (神宮寺). After separation of the Buddhist temples and jinja was ordered in the Meiji period, the connection between two was officially severed, but many continued to cooperate on matsuri and other occasions into the present.

The buildings and grounds of a jinja often include many of the following:

  • chōzuya (手水舎; ablution pavillion for ceremonial purification)
  • kaguraden (神楽殿; a stage for Noh or kagura ritual dance)
  • kenzoku (眷属).
  • koma-inu (狛犬; lion-dog statues)
  • maiden (舞殿)
  • romon (楼門)
  • sessha (摂社)
  • suesha (末社)
  • tamagaki (玉垣)
  • toro (燈籠; lanterns)


Kannushi

Kannushi

A Kannushi (神主) is responsible for maintenance of a jinja as well as leading worship. He generally does not propagate. Traditionally, most jinja did not have a Kannushi and was maintained by a committee of local populace who are called Ujiko (氏子). In a jinguji, a Buddhist monk maintained the jinja in addition to his temple.

Kami

A kami worshipped at a jinja is generally a Shinto kami but sometimes Buddhist or Taoist deities are worshiped, as well as other kami not generally considered to belong to Shinto. Some shrines are established to worship living people or figures from myths and legends. In recent centuries, especially significant kami have come to be enshrined throughout Japan. Some kami and jinja that have widespread geographic distribution include:

Customs

A jinja is a place for peace and, except for occasional festival, one should not run around or engage in activities that make great noise. Most jinja welcome children playing, with some discretions.

Shrines designated as National Treasures

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Shinto shrines.
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