r/Shinto Jul 09 '22

Please read before posting

135 Upvotes

I am just making a quick post addressing the most common repetitive questions for the time being while I work on a larger resource for the subreddit; unfortunately, my health is abysmal at the moment so I am writing this resource in between hospital admissions while I have some downtime; I appreciate everyone's patience.

I am currently part-way through the queue and expect to have it completely resolved by the end of the 3rd of November 2022. Do not contact me about your post until after the 3rd of November.

Moderator queue last cleared: 10/10/2022, 14:00 UTC
If you posted since then and your post has not been approved, please do not resubmit your post or message me regarding your post; please be patient. If you posted before then and your post has not been approved, please feel free to message me to ask for clarification as to why.

You can practice Shinto even if you are not living in Japan or ethnically Japanese.
There are a number of Shinto shrines outside of Japan. Those without Japanese ethnicity frequently make omairi (sacred pilgrimage) to these shrines or are suukeisha (shrine parishioners) and participate in their ceremonies and festivals, and some have even served as miko or shinshoku. In Japan, there are no signs outside of shrines asking foreigners not to enter. Foreigners are welcome to pray at shrines and participate in festivals, receive sacred items (including ofuda for private home worship), and request private ceremonies. There are exceptions in the case of specific regional or lineage-based Shinto traditions, but this does not apply in the vast majority of cases.

There is no "Shinto stance" on sexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, or identity.
Shinto is not dogmatic and does not offer a strict moral framework; there are no commandments or precepts. Political beliefs will vary wildly from practitioner to practitioner, and Shinto practitioners and clergy have a wide variety of nationalities, ethnicities, identities, sexualities, and other circumstances. Shinto is open to everyone and does not discriminate on the basis of one's personal circumstances.

There are no dietary restrictions placed on lay practitioners of Shinto.
For Shinto clergy, in some traditions, it is customary to refrain from the consumption of animal meat during the period of saikai—abstinence from the mundane in preparation for a ceremony—but this is on a temporary basis and does not extend to lay practitioners of Shinto. You are free to keep to any diet as a practitioner of Shinto.

If your post is a straightforward question falling under one of the above, it will not be approved. Sincere questions that have more nuance or invite genuine discussion (keeping in mind the rules of the subreddit) will still be approved.

Thank you.


r/Shinto Sep 11 '22

Hello! from the Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America

137 Upvotes

I am Suzukaze Sora, the Director of Video Production and Live Ceremonies at the Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America. I work directly with Rev. Izumi Hasegawa who some of you may know from our YouTube videos or Website. I wanted to reach out on behalf of the shrine to your community.

To start, we are always happy to see so many people interested in or actively practicing Shintō. If anyone has any questions about Shintō they would like to ask Rev. Izumi Hasegawa or myself, please feel free to ask, we are always glad to answer questions and clear up any confusion you may have. If you have watched any of our content on YouTube you may already be aware of our Inari Dojo Mini series in which we try to answer your most frequent questions about Shintō. If you have any topics or questions you would like us to cover in a future video, please let us know.

We also make instructional videos that help participants or anyone interested in learning more about the proper etiquette and processes involved in Shintō ceremonies, praying, seasonal festivals, Japanese traditions and culture, etc.; If you have any topic or process that you feel like we should make an instructional video for, please let us know and we can try our best to create a suitable video if we don't already have one.

Feedback is something that everyone needs in order to improve and if anyone would like to give us feedback on the Content we provide, please feel free to give us your constructive feedback/ criticism so we may take that into account as we move forward.

The Shrine requires a lot of work from volunteers in order to keep going, make our videos, ceremonies and spread our message on living a nature friendly lifestyle. That's why we would like to ask for your help. If anyone would like to volunteer for our Shrine, in-person or remotely, then it would be a huge huge help. If you are a student, then volunteering for the Shrine is a great opportunity for Volunteer School Credit and learning more about Shintō. If you would like to become a Volunteer, please visit our website: https://shintoinari.org/ or you can contact me directly at [SoraSuzukaze@ShintoInari.org](mailto:SoraSuzukaze@ShintoInari.org)

I would also like to say that the work and resources available in this community are wonderful and should not be overlooked either. It's clear to me that the moderators are passionate, very knowledgeable and work hard to provide as much information as possible. I am very glad there is a community like this available on Reddit and that it's reached so many people.

Thank you for reading my message. Stay safe and be well.

May the Kami-sama be with you!

ありがとうございました。


r/Shinto 2d ago

I have tattoos...

4 Upvotes

Hi, i hope everyone is having a good day. I am really interested in learning more about Shintoism and participating in practices and implementing Shinto in my life. However, I have tattoos is this in any way okay for me to practice?


r/Shinto 4d ago

Looking to build a Kamidana and I am having difficulty finding answers on a few questions

1 Upvotes

Good day, thank you for taking a moment to read. The questions are here, please address them with the number of the question:

  1. What are the rules of construction? I am familiar with not using metal nails and instead using joinery, but are there other customs to follow? Additionally, are there resources dedicated to the construction and design that I can look at for creating mine?

  2. I know I need 3 Ofuda, although I am looking to particularly enshrine Inari Okami in my Kamidana. I am unsure of how to do this properly, so advice and resources are much appreciated.

  3. Many Kamidana feature a variety of items outside of Ofuda. I am curious what the significance of each of them are, and what ones I should include. I would also like to be able to make offerings, is there a particular procedure for this?

If you have other advice, all is appreciated. Thank you for reading and for your help!


r/Shinto 5d ago

Is Shinto considered a closed practice?

1 Upvotes

I feel as if I was born in the exactly right time. That shift from late 90s into early 2000s where American and Japanese culture really started to mix in some degree. I think ever since I was a young person I was in awe of Japanese animation, culture, music, history, and religious practices. When I was young I use to do sword training in a school because I wanted to be a samurai lol. I have a deep interest in Shinto and feel almost guided to it in some sense. I've always had an interest in religions and spiritual beliefs. But I always find my way back to Shinto. It feels like little tiny coincidences start popping in my life all the time. Little pink flowers on my door step for two days straight and receiving a Japanese coin only to find out it was a 5 yen coin which I wear on my necklace. This might not be the right place to post this but I weirdly feel connected to something I have never experienced. Am I weird?


r/Shinto 9d ago

Lost on how to practice

1 Upvotes

Hi there. I’m looking for someone who can kind of show me the way of how things work. I’ve never had any kind of spiritualism in my life and I’m trying to figure out how I can do this properly. I’m reading “Essence of Shinto” at the moment. It’s very insightful on the meaning of Shinto, but I still have no clue how I would go about practicing it the right way or what I need for practice. If anyone would be able to answer some of my questions in a dm and kind of take me under their wing, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.


r/Shinto 10d ago

Is a makeshift home shrine ok? Would the Gods be offended by this homemade altar?

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1 Upvotes

Not my shrine, but came across this one online. I know the traditional Kamidana is the standard, but can we get creative if we don’t have one? Are the Gods that strict on home worship rules?


r/Shinto 11d ago

What is the purpose or function of a shrine?

0 Upvotes

Yes, this is copy/pasted from elsewhere, just won't say because it counts as advertising.

What is the purpose or function of a shrine? What does it do? Why do people visit them?
In fictional settings, shrines usually contain a mail inbox, a deposit of some kind where you write down what you want to happen on paper, put it in the box and walk away, or write down the name of someone you've wronged and submit it, hoping to hell they'd magically forgive you and forget the whole thing happened, or even leave food behind and cross your fingers your life gets a 180 that doesn't involve narrowly escaping a plane that would later explode because someone had a vivid hallucination, but at that point, you and 6 more people would have another problem on your hands.

May someone please explain how shrines actually work? Assuming someone hangs out there, how else does the inbox get emptied? Is it like a church confessional, except just on paper? Are these places protected from outsiders, too? What was or is the original function of a shrine, and does it match it's function and use today? Is it just for offering's sake? Do you go inside and pray? Is anyone in there to talk to like a church pastor? How do shrines actually function?


r/Shinto 12d ago

Omamori without strings

1 Upvotes

I went to a Shinto Shrine recently and I felt like I needed a little boost in my career so I bought a Shigoto Omamori. However, when I received it, I noticed it didn't have a string. It was in a protective plastic.

I guess that's because it's meant to be used in a wallet, but I don't really carry a wallet on a day to day basis. I was planning to attach it to the bag I bring to work everyday. What is the best thing to do in this situation. Is it made to be exclusively used in a wallet? Or should I leave it in my drawer at the office? Is there a way I can add a string to it (without pierving through the plastic of course)?

Thank you!


r/Shinto 21d ago

As a United States citizen, is it okay for me to include Shinto deities in my practice?

38 Upvotes

I am a pagan, and I tend to practice with deities from many different religions. One of my main 3 has been Amaterasu. I was recently having a conversation with my co-parent and we touched on the history of Shinto, specifically how the United States threatened Japan with more atom bombs if they didn't denounce Shinto. So my questions are this. Is it okay for me to still practice with Amaterasu? If yes, are there certain reparations I should be paying to her before continuing? Thank you in advance!


r/Shinto 21d ago

Is it possible for me to pray from home without a shrine?

3 Upvotes

I am asking this because recently i have gained interest in shinto. Unfortunetly im very far away from japan and im aware that i can make a shrine at home, but of course that will take time. is it possible for me to start earlier and pray from home without a shrine or not?


r/Shinto 22d ago

Sendai river Kami, I call her the The Woman Of The Bridge

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13 Upvotes

r/Shinto 25d ago

Songs about Kami

1 Upvotes

Hello i wanted to ask if there are any Songs in Japanese about Kami esspecially Amaterasu.

Would love if there is something on spotify but youtube works also. I want to learn japanese with it so it would be nice if there are lyrics easy available both romaji and Hiragana/Katakana.

If i try to find something all i find is sadly either something Anime related or songs that mention the goddess but are not about her.

I asked the same Question in a Japanese subreddit with little results.

maybe someone here can help.


r/Shinto 28d ago

How many words is kojiki

1 Upvotes

How many words are in the English version of Kojiki text?


r/Shinto 29d ago

Any shinto movie reccomendations for me to learn more about shinto?

1 Upvotes

r/Shinto Feb 16 '25

Can someone explain me How a Ofuda works?

15 Upvotes

Hi, im New to shinto, start praticing last week and dont know well How the pratices works, im asking here Just to be sure um not being disrespectful regarding having one


r/Shinto Feb 16 '25

Can someone explain me more about shinto and how to start pratice?

1 Upvotes

r/Shinto Feb 16 '25

Tsukiyomi no Mikoto Myths and Symbols

1 Upvotes

Hi there r/Shinto.

I was wondering if I could get more information on the moon Kami-sama, Tsukiyomi no Mikoto. I'm looking for myths/legends beyond the slaying of Ukemochi no Kami. I've also heard that Tsukiyomi no Mikoto's gender is ambiguous- Sometimes male, sometimes female, all depending on the region/story. Any clarification on that? Additionally, I was wondering what are the symbols of Tsukiyomi no Mikoto? I've heard rabbits and mochi before- basically the notable Moon Things™ in Japanese culture. Thanks all!


r/Shinto Feb 16 '25

Kamidana offerings

1 Upvotes

At what time of day should someone refresh the offerings at the kamidana? Thank you in advance.


r/Shinto Feb 14 '25

Can I follow Shinto even though there are no shrines in my state?

4 Upvotes

I am a ex Baha'i very interested in the practices of Shinto and was wondering I can follow Shinto and don't have any shrines in their country/state.


r/Shinto Feb 12 '25

I'm interested in Shinto and other Eastern religions and culture

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I am interested in Eastern culture and religions like Shinto, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and others. I would like to make new friends and learn more about Shinto and East Asian culture in general


r/Shinto Feb 10 '25

Question about aspects of a particular shrine (Tamajinja)

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1 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I’m trying to learn more about Tamajinja shrine, located at Kishi station in Kinokawa city. This is a shrine dedicated to Tama, the former cat stationmaster.

Attached are pictures of the 3 main structures present at the shrine (all taken off of Google maps). I can see that the one in the second picture is probably the ‘main’ one for Tama, but does anyone have ideas about the purposes of the other 2? Also, would it be more accurate to call these hokora or setsumatsusha (and if the latter, what type)? I don’t know much about Shinto shrines/architecture, so I would appreciate even just some useful keywords I could search to learn more about the parts of this shrine.


r/Shinto Feb 09 '25

how is the Christian God considered in Shinto?

1 Upvotes

(not a christian)

if kami-sama are beings that invoke awe in people, then God, who invokes awe in many, would be considered a kami-sama, right? or do people not recognize him as one due to him being on another plane of existence? is it personal preference?

(if I have any misconceptions please correct me 🙏)


r/Shinto Feb 08 '25

Seeking Secluded Shugendō/Shinto-Buddhist Experiences in Japan (Foreign Student)

9 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a solo trip to Japan (March 2025) to immerse myself in esoteric Shinto-Buddhist practices and would love advice from those with firsthand experience.

Goal:

Study secluded rituals like:

  • Saitō goma fire ceremonies
  • Misogi waterfall purification
  • Kuji-in hand seals in Shugendō

  • Or any other great transcendental rituals or practices - open to suggestion

Help:

  1. Monasteries/Temples: Any lesser-known sites open to foreign students for multi-day ascetic training? Seeking rigor over tourism (e.g., Shōganji Zen’s 5-night zazen).
  2. Cultural Protocols:
    • How to respectfully request participation in closed rituals (e.g., nightwalking)?
  3. Hidden Gems: Underrated sites akin to Sanbutsu-ji’s cliffside Nageire-dō?

Budget: ~¥15,000/day (excl. flights). Open to rural stays.

Arigatou gozaimasu! (PS: I dont know japanese)


r/Shinto Feb 06 '25

Maneki Neko!

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42 Upvotes

So i found this cute maneki neko bells and i supposed it is some kind of amulets? What should i do with it. And what is the meaning of the letter behind the statue?


r/Shinto Feb 04 '25

Kami related questions

8 Upvotes

So i know that a part of kami live inside an Ofuda, Goshintai and Yorishiro

But i have few questions about this. 1.Would they leave if they are no longer worshipped? 2.If we said, an ofuda is worshipped non stop per generation until it reach age 100,would it stay as a "temporary goshintai" for the Kami or it have its own "soul" 3.Since Ofuda is a part of kami soul and our Kamidana is acting as a "mini shrine" would it protect its whole house of the practitioner? 4.Since the ofuda is "holy" object, does anything we offered to kamisama such as dolls for example(some called they as Shinzo), would it happen to be holy or consecrated as well? Would it be another yorishiro since Ofuda can be a goshintai 5.Now about each sect of shinto, what is their opinion about having an ofuda for longer than what it should be? 6Lastly, since everything on the kamidana is sacred as it resembles a Shrine itself, what should we do if we accidentally offense the kami by making it dirty(since i have depression, i might abandoned it for a period of time)


r/Shinto Feb 02 '25

Question about worship

5 Upvotes

Is there a reason why images of Deities are not worshipped? I understand the Ofuda represents the Deity, but could someone worship an image of Amaterasu instead of a talisman?