Shinto is an ancient animistic based faith of the indigenous Japanese people. Shinto has no founder, no singular religious text, nor is there an exact date known for it's creation. Like many ancient traditions, it's beliefs are thought to have been passed down orally through the generations. Amazingly enough, a great deal of the tradition has not been lost to time, which often happens to many ancient belief systems. As other religions came to Japan, the Japanese people would incorporate others beliefs like Buddhism into the Shinto faith, rather than letting their folk religion become completely dissolved. The Native American belief systems are a close comparison to Shintoism based on age, polytheistic concepts, and a focus on nature and animism. Unfortunately much of the Native American traditions have been lost, but Shinto has been lucky enough to stand the test of time. The core precepts of Shinto are based in harmony with one's environment, sincerity, and purity being of the utmost importance. The purity ritual of followers showing in freezing water, called misogi, has become world famous as a demonstration of the Shinto faith. Purity is so important to followers of Shintoism, that even when visiting shrines one must wash their hands and rise their mouth before entering. Such things as death are seen as impurity, so as Shinto and Buddhism have become intertwined in Japan, functions like weddings are performed in the Shinto traditions and funerals in the Buddhist. To this day a great majority of the Japanese people practice a combination of Shintoism and Buddhism, as the two faiths have intermingled with one another for centuries.
Kami
A central part of Shinto spirituality is the belief in what is called Kami. This term is difficult to translate exactly, because it encompasses all spirits including ancestors. Compared to other polytheistic religions, Kami could be compared to the Gods and Goddesses of the well-known pantheons like the Greeks, with Okami being the title granted to highest members of the Shinto deities. The pantheon lead by Amaterasu Omikami, the sun Goddess. Though the term is usually reserved for spirits of greatness, all Kami are not divine in nature and may have lived human lives before becoming known spirits. The Shinto view of spirits is not very different to how we see mankind, with our vast range of emotions and intentions. The nature and intention of a Kami can be good, evil, indifferent, mischievous, and everything in between. Even in modern times, followers of Shintoism create home alters called Kamidana, meaning spirit house. Offerings of food, sake, water, etc, are left for these spirits in hopes of receiving blessings and good fortune, and/or appeasing Kami that may have ill intent toward them. Showing respect for the spirits is absolutely paramount. Many shrines are located all over Japan, where followers can pray and take part in the ancient traditions. Receiving blessed items from shrine priests is common, for followers to place in their Kamidana, other specific places of the home, or to carry with them for blessings and protection.
Demons (Animistic)
Oni or Yokai are umbrella terms used to describe negative spirits in which there are many different kinds and categories. Oni is well known for being the quintessential demon with horns and fangs depicted in Japanese art, but folklore goes beyond this image. While some western faiths have personalized, individual names for demons, the Japanese traditions categorize demons and negative beings based on their appearance, nature of being, or simply what they do to interact with people.
Shinto being an animistic faith, many shape shifting demons, called Obake, take on the appearance of animals indigenous to Japan. Some folklore suggests that normal animals become these demons once reaching a pinnacle age, 100 years for instance. While others are simply immortal beings, much like other belief systems across the globe. Some examples of Obake are: Kitsune, or fox demon, is one of the most famous of these demons. Many stories have become popular about the Kitsune taking the form of a beautiful woman to seduce men for greed or many other reasons. The Jorogumo, or female spider demon, is eerily similar to the western succubus, also a seducer and devourer of men. Though a creature called a Hinoenma is an almost exact description of the succubus. The Tengu is another Obake, which have combined characteristics of humans and birds which are foretold to have tormented mankind. The list of Obake goes on with characteristics of snakes, cats, wolves, dogs, etc. These demons usually are seen as part human and part animal, though it is said that they can take on a complete animal form, or human form as a way to trick victims. Most stories relating to these beings are of negative interactions with humans. But much like the Kami, their true intent can range from misunderstood to unknown.
Demons (Human-like)
In Japanese folklore, demons are not limited to eternal or immortal beings. Humans have the potential to become Yokai upon death depending on circumstances, or the nature of one's soul. Human ghosts which have become angry, vengeful, or sinister in intent are another large category. But the difference in humans that become demons, are the scope of their power and levels of evil they posses. Some examples are: Kiyohime, a woman who becomes a snake demon because of unrequited love. Oiwa, made famous by the films The Grudge and Ju-on, are loosely based on an ancient story of a woman becoming a demon after being murdered by her husband. Or Obariyon, simply a Yokai that jumps on a human victim and becomes unbearably heavy. Despite being demons created from human spirits, they are treated with the same level of respect and caution as their eternal counterparts.
Kyuketsuki is a human-like manifestation of a demon, but stands as a class on it's own because of it's interesting nature and folklore history. Called the Japanese vampire, Kyuketsuki folk tales have been told centuries before the vampire came into being. Like the modern vampire, Kyuketsuki are said to appear to be humans though they live a nocturnal existence. It is said that their heads separate from their bodies at night and roam to feed on the living. To kill a Kyuketsuki, one must find it's body and hide it so the head does not have a body to return to and will die in the sunlight. This ancient tale being so similar to what we know about vampires today raises questions on if perhaps other cultures were influenced by this story. Possibly authors like Bram Stoker were inspired by the Kyuketsuki legend.
Demons and Cryptids
As with most folklore across the world, the Japanese also have a myriad of what could be considered mythical creatures or monsters. Exploring the lore, these beings are unique in that they seem to be a cross-section of natural and unnatural elements. These creatures are said to have a corporeal form, most of which are living, but are considered of supernatural origin. So the lines between demons and beasts becomes a bit blurred. Some examples are: Hibagon: the Japanese version of yeti. Akkorokamui: the giant octopus that sinks ships, foretold in many cultures. Hainu : A winged dog said to attack humans and their livestock very similar to the Chupacabra. So there is a cryptozoology element to these ancient stories which are being explored even today. What exactly these creatures are is still unsure, yet sightings continue across the globe.
Demons and Monsters
Looking deeper into these monsters of myth, some are a bit more abstract and human-like. Why exactly these creatures are considered to be monsters rather than demons is not certain. But looking at their very nature and the ancient accounts of their encounters; they are quite terrifying indeed. Some examples are: Nukekubi : a human-like being whose head detaches from its body. Ittan-momen: a monster of cloth-like substance said to smother people by wrapping around their faces. Mukujara: a large, faceless being covered in hair. Some of the tales associated to these creatures resemble modern day paranormal accounts considered demonic in nature. Which raises the questions: Are these beings actually demons? And are these accounts passed down through the centuries more than just stories? We cannot be sure, but it’s interesting how similar these stories are from various cultures, and across time.
Ghosts
Ghosts are a large category in Japanese folklore based on what they do, how they died, or how they haunt people. In western culture, ghost is an umbrella term with very few other terms to describe the nature of departed human spirits. The Japanese on the other hand, have a multitude of names to describe these spirits, with a few umbrella terms, like: Shiryo: the spirit of a dead person. Jibakurei: a ghost that is bound to a certain place. Hotoke: a deceased person. Or Gaki: hungry ghosts of Buddhism. Some examples of specific names for spirits based on characteristics are: Zashiki-warashi: a child-like spirit in a home. Ubume: a spirit of a woman who died in childbirth. Noppera-bo: a ghost with no face. Funayūrei: ghosts of people who died at sea. The list goes on with many more names given for ghosts, some named for being in a specific area of Japan, because of sounds the spirit makes, and even specific rooms of a home the spirits are said to haunt.
Haunted Objects
Another component to the Shinto faith is the belief that all natural objects contain an energy or spirit. With basically everything being created from some or mostly natural materials. Another category of Yokai are that of inanimate objects. Western culture sees these items as "haunted objects" with spirits attached to them. The theory is much the same in Japanese folklore, but like Obake, it is said that sometimes these items become "haunted" once reaching a certain age (Tsukumogami), or because of their treatment. It is believed that there are not as many haunted items as in the past because of the disposable nature of todays society, but also energy like electricity will repel these spirit making it hard to nearly impossible for them to take possession over an object. Even in modern times, some Shinto shrines perform ceremonies to purify items believed to have spirits, or to prevent a spirit from inhabiting them.
Posts
