| Japan is situated in the Far East. Geographically, the relation between Japan and Asia is comparable to the one between Great Britain and Europe. Japan is composed of four major islands: Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu and Hokkaido. 70 % of the land is covered with green forests, and nourished by abundant waters. Japan is endowed with various forms of mountains, seas, rivers and fields. Moreover, the climate is rather moderate with four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. |
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| These characteristics of its geography and climate had great influence on what the Japanese people thought of kami (deities) and nature. Since ancient times, far prior to the establishment of a state government, our ancestors had acknowledged the existence of spiritual beings, or kami, dwelling in all things of nature, such as mountains, forests, seas, rivers, animals and plants, bestowing great blessings upon the people. |
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| Our ancestors lived with awe and respect towards the kami.Shinto, the indigenous religion of Japan, is based on these concepts of kami. The ancient Japanese believed in numerous kami, their multitude is expressed by the number eight million. |
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| copyright2001 (c)Fujisanhongu-sengentaisha (Enlarged photo) | copyright2001(c)Jinja-honcho (Enlarged photo) | | |||||
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| copyright2001(c)Imperial Household Agency (Enlarged photo) | copyright2001(c)Imperial Household Agency (Enlarged photo) | | |||||
| Picture of transplanting the rice by Emperor at the Imperial Palace | @ | Picture of harvesting the rice by Emperor at the Imperial Palace |
| The main industry of Japan since ancient times until the last century was to produce rice. In a rice cultivating community, it is necessary for its members to live in harmony with each other and with the natural environment. They know that prosperity for all could be achieved only if each one contributes his part to the community, and helps others in what they are lacking. Eventually, structures enshrining kami were built for villages and regions, where people gathered to discuss together matters of their community. In this way, people were aware that kami, nature and human beings existed together. For them it was important to live in harmony with each other. The basis of Shinto faith is the consciousness that nature and human beings are united firmly through the kami. This consciousness is expressed in the ritual forms of worshiping the kami. Among the many Shinto sanctuaries in Japan, Ise Jingu is the supreme. For the establishment of the state, the key unifying factors were the Imperial Household, for society, and the production of rice for its livelihood. Ise Jingu links the two factors and offers spiritual support for the Japanese in times of confusion. The kami of Ise Jingu is Amaterasu Omikmai, the supreme deity, who is not only the ancestor of the Imperial Family, but also the kami that gave rice to the people, as described in Japanese mythology. |
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