Shinto: A Short History

by Inoue,Nobutaka; Inoue,Nobutaka

• ISBN13: 9780415319133
• ISBN10: 0415319137
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-08-10
• Publisher: RoutledgeCurzon

Summary

Shinto - A Short Historyprovides an introductory outline of the historical development of Shinto from the ancient period of Japanese history until the present day. Shinto does not offer a readily identifiable set of teachings, rituals or beliefs; individual shrines and kami deities have led their own lives, not within the confines of a narrowly defined Shinto, but rather as participants in a religious field that included Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and folk elements. Thus, this book approaches Shinto as a series of historical 'religious systems' rather than attempting to identify a timeless 'Shinto essence'. This history focuses on three aspects of Shinto practice: the people involved in shrine worship, the institutional networks that ensured continuity, and teachings and rituals. By following the interplay between these aspects in different periods, a pattern of continuity and discontinuity is revealed that challenges received understandings of the history of Shinto. This bookdoes not presuppose prior knowledge of Japanese religion, and is easily accessible for those new to the subject.

Table of Contents

List of contributors	vii
Translators' introduction	ix
MARK TEEUWEN AND JOHN BREEN
Introduction: what is Shinto?	1	(11)
INOUE NOBUTAKA
1 Ancient and classical Japan: the dawn of Shinto	12	(51)
MORI MIZUE
2 The medieval period: the kami merge with Buddhism	63	(45)
ITO SATOSHI
3 The early modern period: in search of a Shinto identity	108	(51)
ENDO JUN
4 The modern age: Shinto confronts modernity	159	(39)
INOUE NOBUTAKA
Selected reading	198	(6)
Index	204