Kami
Kami are sacred presences or powers in Shinto, associated with natural features, ancestors, historical figures, and other sources of awe.
Shinto: A Japanese religious tradition centered on kami, ritual practice, and relations between humans and the sacred. Kami are the central sacred presences of Shinto.
Shinto shrine: A sacred site where kami are enshrined and worshippers perform rituals. Shrines provide formal settings for welcoming and honoring kami.
Kojiki: An eighth-century Japanese chronicle containing myths, genealogies, and accounts of early rulers. Its creation narratives introduce many kami and their relationships.
Inari: A widely worshipped kami associated with rice, prosperity, agriculture, and fox messengers. Inari illustrates how kami can be linked to livelihood and changing social needs.
Kegare: A condition of impurity or pollution in Japanese religious thought, addressed through purification rites. Rituals concerning kami often respond to pollution and restore purity.
Torii: A traditional Japanese gate marking the entrance to a sacred space, especially a Shinto shrine. Torii mark transitions into places associated with kami.
Nihon Shoki: An eighth-century chronicle of Japan’s origins and early history, compiled in classical Chinese. It preserves another major account of kami and the imperial lineage.
Hachiman: A Japanese kami associated with war, protection, and the imperial house. Hachiman shows how historical and political roles can shape kami worship.
Makoto: A Japanese ethical and religious ideal of sincerity, earnestness, and integrity. Sincerity is valued in relationships and offerings involving kami.
Shimenawa: A sacred rope used in Japan to mark objects or places set apart as holy. Shimenawa can distinguish a natural feature as a dwelling or presence of kami.