Koshintō
Encyclopedia
is the name given to the original Shinto
tradition of the Jomon people still practiced today in some Ainu
families and communities, as well as in some Ryukyuan areas.
Ko-Shinto has much in common with Shinto. Nature and mankind are closely interlaced and God is a function of or the totality of Nature which expresses itself in spiritual entities called Kamuy or Kamui (Shiji in the Ryukyu) by Ko-Shinto and Kami
by Shinto. As in Shinto, there is not total homogeneity of belief, ritual and tradition, but diverse interpretations of the basic belief.
Modern Ainu belief is not always Ko-shinto, some modern conceptions are not original with the Ainu. Some rituals and traditions in use by today's Ainu have a foreign tinge to the old Ko-shinto traditions. An example is the sometimes mentioned Ainu prohibition prayer by women, which doesn't exist in the original Ko-shinto or in Uepeker, the tales with experiences of those who lived in olden times. In original Ko-shinto women are given preponderant place as shamanesses
.
, means "The Way". Thus Koshinto literally means the "Ancient Way of the Gods" or "Way of the Ancient Gods".
, and while in Ko-shinto there is no representation of Kami (spirits) because they are intangible, in Shinto some Kami are represented by Buddhist-like figures. Some Shinto practices, such as Yamabushi
(Shugendo
) are very similar to some Ko-Shinto rituals.
In Ko-Shinto everything has a soul, nature itself has it. One must respect the spirit of the universe and worship nature itself in all its expressions. One should also worship Life in oneself as the expression of Nature. One of the main ways of life in Ko-Shinto is to live in harmony with Nature and all its beings and manifestations which include also the spiritual beings that we cannot see and who inhabit trees, mountains, rivers and other things. Death is simply to become a spirit, to just change form. Unusual characteristics in a tree, a rock, a waterfall, certain animals, and outstanding people are taken as an indication of a powerful Kamui (or Shiji in the Ryukyu).
Kagura
, also called kamukura or kamikura, are dances adopted by Ko-Shinto for representing fables or for interacting with some Kamui deeds.
Musubi (the mystical power of becoming or of creation) has fundamental importance in the Kamui concept and in the Ko-shinto view of the world.
There is also a belief in utopian places as the Ryukyuan's Nirai Kanai or the Ainu's Kamuy Moshiri.
Ascetic discipline (shugyo or shugyō) has been undertaken in the mountains for centuries. It usually includes cold water ablutions at the base of a waterfall. It is considered profoundly transformative for the soul but the practitioner is warned of the danger of becoming possessed by one of the spirits believed to inhabit the mountains. This practice and kotodama
(words with a magical effect on the world), as well as the purification rites of misogi
, have been transmitted also to some Shinto sects as the Yamabushi
and were practiced by some martial arts founders as Morihei Ueshiba
of Aikido
and Ryushin Yakushimaru of Kukishin Ryu
.
Ko-shinto places importance on purifying soul and body. One can purify the body by bathing under a waterfall or pouring water on oneself or through kokyu-ho (breathing power practice) and kotodama-ho or "magic chanting practice".
Pottery for the exclusive use of ritual is a normal practice and way of expression. There is a traditional prominence of shamanesses over shamans, with the divination and spirit possession abilities most often considered capacities of the female gender.
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
tradition of the Jomon people still practiced today in some Ainu
Ainu people
The , also called Aynu, Aino , and in historical texts Ezo , are indigenous people or groups in Japan and Russia. Historically they spoke the Ainu language and related varieties and lived in Hokkaidō, the Kuril Islands, and much of Sakhalin...
families and communities, as well as in some Ryukyuan areas.
Ko-Shinto has much in common with Shinto. Nature and mankind are closely interlaced and God is a function of or the totality of Nature which expresses itself in spiritual entities called Kamuy or Kamui (Shiji in the Ryukyu) by Ko-Shinto and Kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
by Shinto. As in Shinto, there is not total homogeneity of belief, ritual and tradition, but diverse interpretations of the basic belief.
Modern Ainu belief is not always Ko-shinto, some modern conceptions are not original with the Ainu. Some rituals and traditions in use by today's Ainu have a foreign tinge to the old Ko-shinto traditions. An example is the sometimes mentioned Ainu prohibition prayer by women, which doesn't exist in the original Ko-shinto or in Uepeker, the tales with experiences of those who lived in olden times. In original Ko-shinto women are given preponderant place as shamanesses
Shamanism
Shamanism is an anthropological term referencing a range of beliefs and practices regarding communication with the spiritual world. To quote Eliade: "A first definition of this complex phenomenon, and perhaps the least hazardous, will be: shamanism = technique of ecstasy." Shamanism encompasses the...
.
Etymology
The Japanese word means "ancient or old"; from Chinese Shen , means "spiritual force or spirit" often loosely translated as "deity" or "god"; and from Chinese TaoTao
Dao or Tao is a Chinese word meaning 'way', 'path', 'route', or sometimes more loosely, 'doctrine' or 'principle'...
, means "The Way". Thus Koshinto literally means the "Ancient Way of the Gods" or "Way of the Ancient Gods".
Belief
Ko-Shinto believes that Nature's expressions and things, like trees, mountains, rivers and animals or even stones are, or are inhabited by, spiritual beings. Shinto inherited this view but combined it with BuddhismBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and while in Ko-shinto there is no representation of Kami (spirits) because they are intangible, in Shinto some Kami are represented by Buddhist-like figures. Some Shinto practices, such as Yamabushi
Yamabushi
' are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers. They follow the Shugendō doctrine, an integration of mainly esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon sect, with Tendai and Shinto elements...
(Shugendo
Shugendo
is a highly syncretic Buddhic religion or sect and mystical-spiritual tradition which originated in pre-Feudal Japan, in which enlightenment is equated with attaining oneness with the . This perception of experiential "awakening" is obtained through the understanding of the relationship between...
) are very similar to some Ko-Shinto rituals.
In Ko-Shinto everything has a soul, nature itself has it. One must respect the spirit of the universe and worship nature itself in all its expressions. One should also worship Life in oneself as the expression of Nature. One of the main ways of life in Ko-Shinto is to live in harmony with Nature and all its beings and manifestations which include also the spiritual beings that we cannot see and who inhabit trees, mountains, rivers and other things. Death is simply to become a spirit, to just change form. Unusual characteristics in a tree, a rock, a waterfall, certain animals, and outstanding people are taken as an indication of a powerful Kamui (or Shiji in the Ryukyu).
Kagura
Kagura
- Fictional characters :*Kagura Tsuchimiya, the protagonist of Ga-rei*Kagura, an InuYasha character*Kagura Sohma , a Fruits Basket character*Kagura, an Azumanga Daioh character*Ten'nōzu Kagura, a Speed Grapher character...
, also called kamukura or kamikura, are dances adopted by Ko-Shinto for representing fables or for interacting with some Kamui deeds.
Musubi (the mystical power of becoming or of creation) has fundamental importance in the Kamui concept and in the Ko-shinto view of the world.
There is also a belief in utopian places as the Ryukyuan's Nirai Kanai or the Ainu's Kamuy Moshiri.
Ascetic discipline (shugyo or shugyō) has been undertaken in the mountains for centuries. It usually includes cold water ablutions at the base of a waterfall. It is considered profoundly transformative for the soul but the practitioner is warned of the danger of becoming possessed by one of the spirits believed to inhabit the mountains. This practice and kotodama
Kotodama
refers to the Japanese belief that mystical powers dwell in words and names. English translations include "soul of language", "spirit of language", "power of language", "power word", "magic word", and "sacred sound"...
(words with a magical effect on the world), as well as the purification rites of misogi
Misogi
is a Japanese mountain ascetic practice of ritual purification. This may be undertaken through exhaustive activities such as extended periods without sleep, breath training, standing under waterfalls, or other methods...
, have been transmitted also to some Shinto sects as the Yamabushi
Yamabushi
' are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers. They follow the Shugendō doctrine, an integration of mainly esoteric Buddhism of the Shingon sect, with Tendai and Shinto elements...
and were practiced by some martial arts founders as Morihei Ueshiba
Morihei Ueshiba
was a famous martial artist and founder of the Japanese martial art of aikido. He is often referred to as "the founder" or , "Great Teacher".-Early years:Morihei Ueshiba was born in Tanabe, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan on December 14, 1883....
of Aikido
Aikido
is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to...
and Ryushin Yakushimaru of Kukishin Ryu
Kukishin Ryu
or Kukishinden Ryū, originally "Nine Gods Spirit School" is a Japanese martial art allegedly founded in the 14th century CE by Kuki Yakushimaru Ryūshin...
.
Ko-shinto places importance on purifying soul and body. One can purify the body by bathing under a waterfall or pouring water on oneself or through kokyu-ho (breathing power practice) and kotodama-ho or "magic chanting practice".
Symbols
Ko-Shinto shrines are simple stones, stone circles or wooden small housings and altars for the worship of the Kamui of the dead ancestors. Nature's Kamui can be worshiped where they live, in forests, rivers and mountains. Ritual is a personal and sometimes community activity, usually carried on in open spaces. Temples are reserved only for the transmission of traditions or some more reserved practices as purification, some kinds of meditation, offers and sometimes body training. Festivals and ceremonies are mostly connected with the seasons, harvest and special ages when rituals of passage can be done.Pottery for the exclusive use of ritual is a normal practice and way of expression. There is a traditional prominence of shamanesses over shamans, with the divination and spirit possession abilities most often considered capacities of the female gender.