An Introduction to Shinto

Shinto is the native religious tradition of Japan. This introduction focuses on its ceremonies, called matsuri, and sacred spaces, known as jinja, and also discusses three individual jinja in some detail: Jingu at Ise, arguably the most sacred site in Shinto, Yasukuni Jinja in Tokyo, clearly the most controversial, and Shirahata Hachiman Daijin, a "typical" jinja in Kawasaki. Other chapters cover Shinto theology, Shinto's history and place in contemporary Japanese society, and a discussion of the famous myth of Amaterasu Omikami and the cave of heaven.David Chart is a naturalised citizen of Japan, and has lived there, studying Shinto, for over fifteen years. He currently works for the largest Shinto organisation in Japan (Jinja Honcho), as a consultant on their outreach to non-Japanese. (Note that this book is an independent project, however, and its contents are not endorsed by Jinja Honcho or any of the other Shinto organisations mentioned in the text.)

The paperback edition is printed in black and white, including the images.