Diagram and Chosen Architecture

Progress Update

1. Diagram: Origin, Calendar and Beliefs

                                       

2. Believers : Hierarchy and Appearance

3. Architecture : Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine

Currently working on isometric view of the overall shrine and nearby area in order to show the events going on in and around the shrine on New Year's day.

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.