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Shintoism

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I chose Shintoism the religion of Japan. The websites can be found here:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2056.html http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art19100.asp Shinto is the “way of the Gods” This is a religion that all things on this earth are gods from the rocks to the trees to a person’s dead ancestors as well as the Emperor of Japan descended from the God who made Japan. People’s ancestors who have passed on before them are also gods and are called Kami.

When we lived in Japan, My family had a shrine that held the pictures of my ex-husbands grandparents and his uncle. Every morning we would light incense and ring the bell on the shrine to show our respect to them. When we bought fruit or flowers, they first went in honor to the Kami of the shrine and we later ate the fruit in a few days.

When children are 3, 5, or 7, the go to the shrine to be blessed. They are dressed up in traditional Japanese Kimono and wear their hair in the traditional manner and walk all the way to the shrine. The Shinto Priest then blesses them and they are given a huge party.

I am not sure that too much has changes except I don’t think many people believe that the Emperor has descended from God anymore. Most Japanese seem very devout and still follow the same rituals and festivals that have been celebrated throughout the centuries.

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