What are some common objects associated with Japanese Shinto religion?
Some common objects associated with Japanese Shinto religion include:
1. Torii Gate: These are iconic gates that mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine. They are usually made of wood or stone and painted in vibrant colors.
2. Shimenawa: Shimenawa is a sacred rope made of rice straw that is hung at the entrance of shrines and around certain objects or trees. It is believed to ward off evil spirits and demarcate sacred spaces.
3. Omamori: Omamori are small amulets or charms that are commonly sold at Shinto shrines. They are meant to provide protection or good luck to the person who carries them.
4. Tamagushi: Tamagushi are branches or sprigs of evergreen trees, often sakaki or sakura, decorated with paper streamers. They are offered as symbolically pure offerings to kami (deities) during Shinto ceremonies.
5. Kagura Dance Props: Kagura is a traditional Shinto dance performed at shrines. It involves various props like hand fans, small bells, and masks, which are used by performers to portray mythological characters.
6. Ema: Ema are small wooden plaques on which worshippers write their wishes or prayers. They are hung at shrines, and it is believed that the kami will answer these prayers.
To find more information about this, you can visit reputable websites on Shintoism, read books or articles on Japanese culture and religion, or visit a Shinto shrine or museum that specializes in Japanese religious artifacts.
Some common objects associated with the Japanese Shinto religion include:
1. Torii Gates: These gates mark the entrance to Shinto shrines and symbolize the transition from the mundane to the sacred.
2. Shimenawa: These are sacred ropes made of rice straw, often decorated with shide (zig-zag paper streamers), and used to demarcate sacred spaces or objects.
3. Omamori: These are small amulets or charms that are sold at Shinto shrines and are believed to provide protection, luck, or blessings to the owner.
4. Ema: These are small wooden plaques on which people write their wishes or prayers. They are then hung at the shrine in the hopes that the deities will grant them.
5. Shakuhachi: This is a traditional Japanese flute that holds spiritual significance in Shinto rituals and ceremonies.
6. Kagura-Den: This is a sacred dance space or hall where Shinto rituals and dances, known as kagura, are performed to entertain and honor the deities.
7. Kamidana: These are miniature household shrines or altars that are commonly found in Japanese homes. They typically contain Shinto items, such as a mirror, a small shimenawa, or statues of kami (gods or spirits).
8. Gohei: These are sacred paper and cloth items used in Shinto rituals. They are often attached to the top of a shimenawa or offered to the kami as a symbol of purification and reverence.
It's important to note that these are just a few examples, and there are many other objects and symbols associated with Shintoism.