Shinto, Japan's indigenous religion, is strongly rooted in animism, with Japanese believing that objects, places, and creatures all possess a distinct spiritual essence. Shinto does not have a single creator or specific doctrine, and instead exists in a diverse range of local and regional forms emphasising a sacred connection between humans and the natural world.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Taishi Kato about the deep-rooted significance of Shinto and the ongoing efforts to preserve its rich heritage.
Podcast Highlights
- Becoming a Shinto priest. Taishi shares how he became a Shinto priest.
- Explaining Shintoism. Taishi discusses the essence of Shintoism
- The concept of Yaoyorozu no Kami. Taishi explains the idea of Yaoyorozu no Kami (the ‘eight million gods’).
- The essence of Shinto. Taishi explains musubi (the power of becoming or creation) as the essence of Shinto.
- The importance of purity in Shinto. Taishi discusses one of the most fundamental concepts of Shinto.
- Hattori Tenjingu. Taishi shares details about his shrine, Hattori Tenjingu.
- Role as a Shinto priest. Taishi explains his responsibilities as a Shinto priest.
- Traditional activities for shrine visitors. Taishi explains some traditional activities that visitors can participate in when visiting Shinto shrines.
Taishi Kato
Taishi Kato is a licensed Shinto Priest. He serves at the Hattori Tenjingu shrine in the bustling city of Osaka, trying to strike a balance between preserving tradition while also innovating and looking beyond it. Having studied in London and lectured on Shinto to an international audience, Taishi is on a mission to spread the wisdom of Shinto to the world, believing that underneath its uniquely Japanese form, it is abundant with universal insights that we would all benefit from learning.
Becoming a Shinto priest
Taishi initially had no desire to become a Shinto priest, despite coming from a long lineage of priests. His mother even encouraged him to explore other career paths. While studying business in university and searching for a job, he discovered a book about his grandfather, who had become a chief priest at 22 and led the restoration of a ruined Shinto shrine. Inspired by his grandfather’s dedication and achievements at such a young age, Taishi felt a deep connection to his heritage. This revelation motivated him to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and commit to preserving Shinto traditions for future generations.
Explaining Shintoism
Shinto is difficult to define, even for many Japanese people who visit Shinto shrines. Unlike Western religions, Shinto is more of a way of life that emphasizes harmony with kami—sacred spirits found in nature rather than an all-powerful deity. Japan’s landscape, with its vast forests and frequent natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, has shaped this belief system.
Ancient Japanese people relied on nature for survival but also feared its unpredictable forces, leading them to revere natural elements such as mountains, rivers, and even the wind and sun as manifestations of kami. Additionally, some kami are historical figures honored for their contributions to society, and they are enshrined in Shinto shrines as a way of preserving their legacy.
The concept of Yaoyorozu no Kami
The concept of Yaoyorozu no Kami (8 Million Gods) has deeply influenced Japanese culture, shaping the way people perceive and explain various aspects of life. The number ‘eight million’ is symbolic, representing the limitless presence of kami rather than a fixed count. In Shinto belief, kami exist everywhere and continuously increase, making their definition fluid. Each kami has a unique role in maintaining balance in the world, such as overseeing harvests, rain, forests, and food.
This flexible and inclusive worldview allows different traditions to coexist harmoniously. Historically, Shinto and Buddhism were intertwined in Japan, to the extent that many people today struggle to distinguish between temples and shrines. Additionally, Shinto has accepted and evolved alongside other religions, reflecting its adaptable and integrative nature.
The essence of Shinto
Shinto upholds core values of harmony with nature, purity, cleanliness, and reverence for ancestors. Taishi explains that musubi (the power of becoming or creation) is the essence of Shinto, reflecting the belief that everything in the universe—nature, people, objects, and even emotions—is interconnected. This idea is embodied in traditional Japanese customs, such as rituals and formal greetings.
At Shinto shrines, prayers are offered in a harmonious manner, with worshippers bowing and clapping in unison. This ritual serves as a symbolic expression of harmony, emphasizing nonverbal communication as a means to connect with the spiritual world and foster unity with all things.
The importance of purity in Shinto
In Shinto, purity (jō) is one of the most fundamental concepts, representing both physical and spiritual cleanliness. Unlike the Western view of impurity as a moral failure, Shinto sees impurity as a temporary state that can be cleansed through purification rituals.
Impurity can arise from everyday experiences, including negative emotions such as anger or sadness. Since these states are inevitable, purification is practiced regularly. One common ritual is temizu, performed before entering a Shinto shrine, where worshippers wash their hands and rinse their mouths to cleanse both body and mind.
Another significant practice is misogi, a purification ritual where individuals stand under a waterfall or immerse themselves in a river while offering prayers. This emphasis on purification has deeply influenced Japanese culture, with daily practices such as bathing being seen as a way to cleanse both physically and spiritually.
Hattori Tenjingu
Hattori Tenjingu Shrine, located in Osaka, Japan, is known as a ‘foot shrine’ and is historically linked to the Hata clan, an ancient family of skilled textile workers from Korea. In 901, the scholar and politician Sugawara Michizane, while exiled from Kyoto to Fukuoka, stopped at the shrine due to illness.
He prayed to Sukunahikona no Mikoto, the deity of medicine, and gradually recovered, allowing him to continue his journey. Since then, the shrine has been revered for over 1,000 years as a sacred place for health and learning. It enshrines both Sugawara Michizane and Sukunahikona no Mikoto.
Role as a Shinto priest
Taishi serves as the deputy chief priest under his father, the chief priest. His responsibilities include preserving Shinto traditions, conducting rituals, and educating visitors about Shinto practices. To connect Shinto with modern concerns, he has launched initiatives like the Foot Festival, emphasizing well-being.
Coincidentally, he met a renowned runner who became interested in Shinto and eventually became a Shinto priest. Together, they aim to foster a new cultural connection between Shinto and younger generations through initiatives such as the Foot Festival.
Traditional activities for shrine visitors
In the past, Japanese people offered horses to shrines, but as this became impractical, the tradition evolved into drawing pictures of horses and later into writing wishes on ema (wooden plaques). Writing wishes remains an important custom, as many believe it helps prayers come true with Kami's blessing.
Conclusion
Shinto is one of Japan’s oldest and most influential religions, deeply rooted in the reverence for nature and the belief that humans are intrinsically connected to the natural world. Its timeless wisdom reminds us of our harmony with the environment—a message that deserves to be preserved and passed down through generations. Fortunately, individuals like Taishi are actively working to safeguard Shinto’s legacy while adapting its teachings to resonate with the modern era.