Shinto - Simple Guides

by Ian Reader

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 ritual to gain insights into the controversies surrounding Shinto, politics, and nationalism.

Access the world's religions with Simple Religion a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world's major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs, and practices of different faiths. Ideal for spiritual seekers and travelers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world's great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs, and beliefs of different societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Genres: Japan, Nonfiction, Religion, Cultural, Spirituality, Asia

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Ian Reader is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Manchester, UK.

Reviews

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a pretty decent and comprehensive guide to Shinto, which I needed to re-read to make sure I was sufficiently up on the facts for something I am writing. It's also a book that is unafraid of debunking myths, such as the equally mendacious (and both of them highly unsavoury and politicised) viewpoints that it is a totally homegrown religion with an ancient pedigree and no external influences, and that it is a fake religion formed from external influences plus a lot of militarists angrily shouting stuff in the late 19th century. Both of these perspectives represent forms of Asian nationalism best left in the 1940s, but I've also heard them uttered by, in the former case, weeaboos and, in the latter case, woke types in the West. Please, people... stop.

I would recommend this to anyone who is visiting Japan either on business or as a tourist, simply because it will give you a better idea what you are looking at and why you are looking at it. A guidebook won't cut the mustard in the same way, though it will cover the same ground in terms of how to act upon approaching a Shinto shrine. A particular strength is the focus on key deities and when and how they are approached. The interaction of Shinto with Buddhism, and the reasons for this, especially regarding the treatment of death, is another key factor.

The only thing I would say is that the punctuation in this guide is dire! I wouldn't remove the 5 star rating for that, though.

[Madison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was okay, I didn't really like how it sort of immediately started and I found it a somewhat difficult to stay motivated to finish despite being a short book. It had good information, though, and I liked the latter half of the book.

[Jake Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging introduction to Shintoism.

[Hayley Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginner intro. Keen to learn more about the religion. Liked the bite-size chapters

[Levi Pierpont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, for sure, but I feel like it’s a bit outdated and overly academic.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was an interesting read! It's only a little book, but it does what it says on the tin. It is a very simple guide, explaining some of the most basic elements of Shinto concepts and practice. What I liked about the book was its attempt to reflect on Shinto's place in modern Japan, its social and political meaning today, not just the traditions and spectacles that every visitor can see. The author, Ian Reader, is someone who has published in greater academic depth on these matters, and this is apparent even in this very limited offering.

[Rapha Gabriel Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good an insightful short book into the religion, its practices and its customs perfect for anyone who know nothing about Shinto.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and concise, I felt like I learned what I wanted to from it.

[Waseem Abunnadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was clear, simple, and concise. I read it because I will be taking an Eastern Religions course next semester at my university. I felt like I got what I wanted to know out if it.

[Daryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice intro to many of the key aspects of this religion. A great primer for the first time visitor to Japan.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting primer on Shinto beliefs.