Simple Guides Shinto

Contents: Introduction (including New Year's Festival and What Shinto Is Not) bull; Shinto and its Japanese setting (including Threat of New Gods and Triumph of Buddhism) bull; Kami, Myths and Meanings (including Important Kami in Shinto Tradition) bull; Shinto in Japanese Religious History (including Shinto- Buddhist Interactions) bull; Shinto Shrines (including Signs of the Sacred and Important Shrines and Locations) bull; Life-cycles Festivals and Rituals (including Yearly Cycle of Events and Shinto Rituals) bull; Prayers and Communication with Kami (including Symbolic Meanings and Sincerity and Gratitude) bull; Shinto, Nationalism and Yasukuni Shrine (including Political Manoeuvres and opposition) bull; Shinto in the Modern World (including Rise and Challenge of New Religions)This book will help you: to appreciate the significance of Japan's own religion in everyday life, to recognize the key traditions and festivals (matsuri) of the Shinto year, to understand what you will see at Shinto shrines and in Shinto rituals, to gain insights into the controversies surrounding Shinto, politics and nationalism. Book jacket.This pocket-sized paperback is ideal for travellers, students and spiritual seekers. Simple Guides Shinto will help you to appreciate the cultural significance of Shinto, understand what goes on in Shinto Shrines and in Shinto rituals, recognize the key traditions and festivals of the Shinto year. The guide will also help you to gain insight into the controversies surrounding Shinto, politics and nationalism. Contents: Introduction (including New Years Festival and What Shinto Is Not) Shinto and its Japanese setting (including Threat of New Gods and Triumph of Buddhism) Kami, Myths and Meanings (including Important Kami in Shinto Tradition) Shinto in Japanese Religious History (including Shinto- Buddhist Interactions) Shinto Shrines (including Signs of the Sacred and Important Shrines and Locations) Life-cycles Festivals and Rituals (including Yearly Cycle of Events and Shinto Rituals) Prayers and Communication with Kami (including Symbolic Meanings and Sincerity and Gratitude) Shinto, Nationalism and Yasukuni Shrine (including Political Manoeuvres and opposition) Shinto in the Modern World (including Rise and Challenge of New Religions)