The question of what exactly constitutes the Japanese tradition remains pertinent to the current debate over what direction Shinto should take. Some arguments are informed by State Shinto, some by the syncretism of Edo times, some by a mythical time … Read the rest
Category: Syncretism (Page 9 of 17)
Saigyo (1118-90) is one of my favourite Japanese poets. Brought up in the warrior class, he had a promising career in front of him but dropped out at 22 to become a Buddhist monk and wandering poet. Basho was a … Read the rest
Uji City lies to the south-east of Kyoto and is well-known for its green tea. In Heian times the area acted as a resort for the aristocracy, and it features as the setting for the last part of Genji Monogatari… Read the rest
Those of us who live in Kyoto are aware of two vital clans in the river basin’s early history – the Hata and the Kamo. They played a decisive role in the religious development of the area, and their legacy … Read the rest
The sixth-century Hata no Kawakatsu was one of the key figures of his time. He was an influential ally of the devout Buddhist Prince Shōtoku, credited with the spread of the new religion in Japan. As a member of the … Read the rest
It’s an interesting fact that many of Japan’s Buddhist temples house small shrines for protective kami. Sometimes they can quite sizable, similar in appearance to independent Shinto shrines. Quite what the status of these shrines are I’m not sure, but … Read the rest
Green Shinto is delighted to present a learned article by Australian academic, Jann Williams, who has been exploring the use of elements in Japan. In the article below, she looks in particular at why Shinto uses certain colours for … Read the rest