Understanding Shinto: Origins*Beliefs*Practices*Festivals*Spirits*Sacred Places

by C. Scott Littleton

To know Japan, one must know Shinto-the country's indigenous religion. Using superb color images of rituals, ceremonies, and sacred architecture, as well as sacred texts, Understanding Shinto offers a fascinating glimpse into this unique culture. It explores the religion's symbolism, impact on daily life, and philosophical concepts-including the importance of the group over the individual.

Genres: Religion, Japan, Nonfiction, History, Mythology, Spirituality, Japanese Literature

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Dhanaraj Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading two books of Seishi Yokomizo (Death on Gokumon Island & The Village of Eight Graves) and a collection of Japanese Ghost Stories (Japanese Ghost Stories) by Lafcadio Hearn in the immediate succession I was pulled into understanding the religious backdrop of Japan.

I looked for a simple book on Shintoism and found this book: UNDERSTANDING SHINTO by C. Scott Litttleton.

The book is divided into 9 chapters. With the inclusion of Introduction, there are ten chapters.

The nine chapters are titled and arranged in this order:
Origin and Historical Development
Aspects of the Divine
Sacred Texts
Sacred Persons
Ethical Principles
Sacred Space
Sacred Time
Death and Afterlife
Society and Religion

The details are given in brief and I think they are precise (I can not be sure of it). But they introduce the religion to a novice like me.

We get to know about Kami (Deity - Spirit ), Mikoshi (Moving Shrine), Matsuri (Festival), Jinja (Shrines) and Torii (Sacred Gateways), Kojiki & Nihonshoki (Sacred Texts), State Shinto, Guji & Kannushi (Main Priest and the Assistant Priest), Syncretism with the elements of Buddhism, etc.

They were all interesting details and they were introduced in a few pages with accompanying images/photos/pictures.

Being a South Indian, and more specifically as a person from the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu, I was all the more intrigued as I read these details. For I found many details corresponding to the Tamil folk religious practices.

Now, I will have to look for elaborate works on Shintoism.

[Kanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXTREMELY informative and helpful! I personally was doing some research on Shintoism and Buddhism because I am going to convert, and Mr. Littlelon does an excellent job in explaining the people of Japan's beliefs and rituals in such a simple and understandable way that it actually makes sense. Also a good source for a project. Highly recommend this book.

[Lauren Dostal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I base my rating on what this book is rather than what I *wish* it could be. At ~100 pages, it is a very brief overview of the massive and many-sided tradition/religion of Shinto. The author is a professor of anthropology rather than a practitioner, so parts of the book paint Shinto in a mythological light rather than a living religion. However, the book’s anthropological roots lend their strength to the more political portions of the book—especially the discussions of how changes in Shinto relate to and influence (or are influenced by) historical events, Chinese influence, the role of women in the temple (strong before ~600CE, then heavily diminished due to the influence of Confucianism, and recently re-emergent), and the nationalistic State Shinto period. The book was fairly dry and academic, but it had good general information and lots to spur on further research.

[R.K. Cowles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Frank Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this.

Thematically organized in nine (9) chapters*, it's chock-full & concise, contains several pretty pictures, and a glossary. What earns it an extra star are 'Extract and Commentary' sections at the end of every chapter, containing (obviously) extracts from and commentaries on various texts - both ancient and modern, sacred and profane - relating to Shinto.

Very illuminating as an introduction.

_____________
*
-Origins and Historical Development
-Aspects of the Divine
-Sacred Texts
-Sacred Persons
-Ethical Principles
-Sacred Space
-Sacred Time
-Death and the Afterlife
-Society and Religion

[Natty Peterkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A functional book – delivers a basic introduction to Shinto's history and cultural influence in a nicely presented, accessible package. However, I didn't feel I gained any satisfactory knowledge about the religion's deeper philosophies – unless perhaps it is a more superficial religion than I expected. I'm sure it's more likely that this book was only intended as a very quick introduction – I'm still on the hunt for an English language book that explores Shinto in a more exciting, intellectually engaging manner!

[Mits · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to Shinto - definitely not an in depth study of the religion, but a quick review for people who don't know much about the subject. Gives some good insight into Japanese customs, architecture, etc. that I didn't realize were rooted in Shintoism.

[Hara Chiaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book on the roots of shintoism, its rituals, explanations of « kamis » with some photos and illustrations. However, I was looking for a book on the philosophy and teachings of shintoism (its mindsets).

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

An illuminating little book that makes Shinto intelligible, not just its history and its forms, but in the context of Japanese culture pretty much in partnership with the Japanese versions of Buddhism.

Shinto, quite apart from its mythology, understands the nature as existing in a spirit of benign harmony. Anything that threatens it is dangerous, so there is a powerful drive for conformity. That made it ideal for the architects of the Meiji restoration, who sought to create a modern nation. To achieve that goal, they revitalized two ancient traditions and made them central, unifying institutions: the imperial monarchy and the rites, myths and beliefs of Shintoism. Their success in creating a unifying national ideology was demonstrated by the military successes of the first half of the previous century; the national failure was not to consider where extremes of national arrogance and the pressure to conform could lead the country.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and informative starting block that lays the foundation for further research. Definitely something I would recommend to a beginner, or someone who simply wanted to learn the basics but had no interest in heavier research.

Accessible, and light, it can be consumed in one sitting while still allowing the reader to come back to it in the future for clarification or for use as reference material.

[Andrew Blok · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting, but I think I went into it expecting something a bit less academic. I mean academic in tone, not necessarily accessibility. It was pretty accessible, just a little boring. I think this book is likely exactly what the author and publisher set out to create, and it was helpful as an introduction, which I guess is what I was curious about, so maybe I'm talking myself into saying, "Good job, C. Scott Littleton."

[MariaTheMillennial · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative non-fiction book about Shinto and how the religion is practiced (along with Buddhism) in Japan. Not difficult to read, but gives a lot of information. I would love to read more books about Shinto since for me it is one of the most fascinating religions.
I would recommend this book as a starting point for everyone who is interested in Shinto.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting overview and "first look" at Shinto origins and evolution meant for those with little to no background information on the religion and its history. Not very in depth on any particular topic, but a great starting point for those who are interested in Shinto's history and traditions.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Understanding Shinto: Origins, Rituals, Festivals, Spirits, Sacred Places
by c Scott Littleton
alot of history in a small text. showing tje beginning, beliefs and practices and ideals of the Shinto religion and its multi cultural influences, prceptions and practices. so much i did not know.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. If you want an unchallenging and incredibly broad overview of Shintoism, this isn’t bad. Lots of repetition on examples and in certain areas only provides “commentary” on one piece and not the counter. Still, if you need a brief intro, this does a decent job.

[Lies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taal: Nederlands

Makkelijk boek over het Shintoïsme. Het boek is niet gedetaileerd, maar geeft een kort overzicht over de geschiedenis en gebruiken van het Shintoïsme en de banden met het Boedhisme.

[Othy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fair, if basic and simplistic, overview of Shinto. It is a good resource for the beginner, but over-simplifies a very complex and often unsystematic religion. Anyone who is actually interested in the religion for more than writing a school report about it should look elsewhere.

[Sasha Boersma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little intro book to the concepts of Shinto. Not very deep, but basics covered.

[Janta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A concise and accessible introduction to Shinto.

[Lenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Zachary Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very light and quick read. Littleton gives a nice, concise over view of some of the main focuses and tenets of Shinto.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful little introduction to satisfy my curiosity!

[Edward Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, clear yet interesting writing on an interesting subject

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but worthwhile. Have not been able to locate very much about Shintoism specifically so it was great to find this introduction.

[Brave Zander]

good

[Ele (Panda) Quinlan]

Very informative

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and insightful book. Very quick overview.

[Robbie Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Japan so much bro

[Nancy Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. Very clearly written.

[Ryan Creamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if I gave this one star