Shintoism

Phase 1 : Research

1. Religion - Shinto

2. Outline -

     2.1 Origin and History

     2.2 Geography of Believers and Sites of Pilgrimage

Diagram showing Shintoism believers overlaying 

with Buddhism believers in Japan.

     2.3 Beliefs

     2.4 Calendar

3. Symbolism & Rhetoric

     3.1 Official language or main language - Japanese

    3.2 Pictorial Symbols - 

Torii Gate 

It marks the entrance to sacred space. Representing the transition between the finite world and the infinite world of the gods.

4. Believers / Hierarchy -

Education Hierarchical Structure

5. Believers / Appearance -

Example of Believer's Pictogram : Miko

6. Architecture and Places -

The following is a diagram illustrating the most important elements of a Shinto shrine.

1. Torii - Shinto gate
2. Stone stairs
3. Sando - the approach to the shrine
4. Chozuya or Temizuya - fountain to cleanse one's hands and face
5. Toro - decorative stone lanterns
6. Kagura-den - building dedicated to Noh or the sacred Kagura dance
7. Shamusho - the shrine's administrative office
8. Ema - wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes
9. Sessha/Massha - small auxiliary shrines
10. Komainu - the so-called "lion dogs", guardians of the shrine
11. Haiden - oratory
12. Tamagaki - fence surrounding the honden
13. Honden - main hall, enshrining the kami. On the roof of the haiden and honden are visible chigi (forked roof finials) and katsuogi (short horizontal logs), both common shrine ornamentations.