Tag - shinto

 
 

SHINTO

The entrance gate to Arakura Sengen Shrine in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, with Mount Fuji in the distance.
JAPAN / History / The Living Past
Jan 15, 2025
From wrath to radiance: Why the 'Manyoshu' feels like paradise lost
While the Bible’s God demands obedience and punishes sin, the 'Manyoshu' radiates innocence, joy and harmony with nature.
At each shrine and temple, priests create festive, decorative go-shuin stamps, and you can collect the marks of all seven of the lucky gods on one piece of paper (called a shikishi) to serve as a good-luck talisman.
LIFE / Travel
Dec 27, 2024
Start the new year not with one temple visit, but seven
The seven lucky gods pilgrimage is a less hurried alternative to the often-crowded first temple or shrine visit of the year.
A photo taken on Monday shows a torii gate at the Meiji Shrine on which carvings resembling kanji were found.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Nov 14, 2024
American tourist arrested over defacing of Meiji Shrine torii gate
Suspect Steve Lee Hayes, 65, allegedly carved letters into the wooden pillar of one of the shrine's torii gates.
The Kurama Fire Festival is one of Japan's most visceral 'matsuri' (festivals), but growing throngs of spectators could bring changes in the future.
LIFE / Travel
Nov 2, 2024
At Japan’s hottest festival, crowds threaten to smother the flames
Despite the growing throngs of attendees, it’s the smaller details of the Kurama Fire Festival that add up to more than the sum of its parts.
Shinto priests attend a ritual during the autumn festival at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Oct 19, 2024
No Cabinet ministers visit Yasukuni Shrine during fall festival
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba only made a ritual tree offering to the controversial Shinto shrine.
A torii gate in Tokyo. A Chilean gymnast has apologized after receiving criticism for posting a video of herself doing pullups on a torii gate.
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2024
Chilean woman slammed over viral clip of pullups on torii shrine gate
The woman has since deleted the post, saying she did not realize that she was in a sacred place and acted without thinking.
Masakaki tree offerings made by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and health minister Takamaro Fukuoka are seen at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo on Thursday.
JAPAN
Oct 17, 2024
Ishiba sends offering to war-linked Yasukuni Shrine
The prime minister is unlikely to visit the Shinto shrine during its fall festival, however.
Ageuma Shinji, a Shinto ritual, is held at Tado Shrine in Mie Prefecture in May 2018. On Tuesday, prefectural police referred 12 individuals to prosecutors over allegations of animal abuse in connection with the treatment of horses during the centuries-old annual event.
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Sep 25, 2024
12 referred to prosecutors over alleged horse abuse during Shinto ritual
The 12 allegedly forced horses to climb up a steep hill during the Ageuma Shinji ritual in May 2023 and committed violent acts against the animals.
The Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau in Tokyo's Chuo Ward
JAPAN / Society
Sep 13, 2024
Chief priest of Tokyo shrine allegedly took ¥250 million from amulet sales
The priest and the corporation that runs the shrine have been hit with additional taxes, including penalties, worth about ¥130 million.
Sokyo Ono’s “Shinto: The Kami Spirit World of Japan” reveals how a mystic sense of nature lies at the heart of Shinto.
CULTURE / Books
May 31, 2024
'Shinto: The Kami Spirit World of Japan': A helpful guide to uncovering an integral part of Japanese life
Sokyo Ono’s book provides a concise introduction to all the fundamental elements of Shinto, including its symbols, beliefs and deities.
JAPAN
Mar 28, 2024
Princess Aiko visits Emperor Jinmu's tomb in Nara
The 22-year-old princess made a Shinto ritual offering at the tomb of Japan's mythical first Emperor to report her university graduation.
A mid-19th century ukiyo-e woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi depicts Xu Fu’s voyage in search of the elixir of life. He can be seen near the left side of the image, with what looks to be Penglai, or Mount Fuji, in the background.
JAPAN / History / Longform
Jan 20, 2024
Eternal pursuits: A history of Japanese quests for immortality
Whether it's a permanent state of meditation or feasting on mermaid, the quest for immortality in Japan isn't too far off from those in other cultures.
While harsh comments from older generations can sometimes be seen as rude, consider instead that they’re often trying to teach us something they hold on to.
LIFE / Lifestyle
Dec 26, 2023
A survival guide for your first Japanese-style at-home New Year’s
Meeting your partner’s Japanese family for the New Year’s holidays? Here are some do’s and don’ts for an ‘oshōgatsu’ success story.
Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto Prefecture hands out "blindfold" stickers that visitors can use to cover up their wishes written on wooden plaques.
JAPAN / Society
Nov 23, 2023
Privacy concerns prompt people to cover up Shinto prayer plaques
The plaques have been used to express wishes for centuries, and now some shrines are allowing them to be covered with stickers for privacy reasons.
The wedded rocks of Meoto Iwa in Mie Prefecture.
JAPAN / History
Aug 20, 2023
Good and evil defined by God … or gods
Much of our understanding of good and evil can be traced to definitions created by religion. Which religion (and definition) depends on where you live.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Photo essay
May 28, 2023
Does the pure joy seen at this year's Sanja Matsuri hint at a summer of celebration?
After scaled-down celebrations became the norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Tokyo's biggest festivals returns in full form.
Japan Times
CARTOONS / ZERO GRAVITY
May 20, 2023
Roger Dahl on karma
Japan Times
JAPAN
May 18, 2023
The religious right’s hidden sway as Japan trails allies on gay rights
As a G7 summit nears in Hiroshima, Japan is under pressure to show greater support for equality. A national Shinto group has spread a more hostile message.
JAPAN
Jan 3, 2023
Cashless 'saisen' religious offerings spread amid COVID pandemic
Many believe that cashless saisen offerings could help reduce the spread of COVID-19 as people can avoid crowds forming around offering boxes at temples and shrines.

Longform

Atsuyoshi Koike, the president and CEO of Rapidus, says there is a “sense of urgency” when it comes to Japan’s efforts in manufacturing semiconductors. “We have to make sure we are successful,” he says.
Atsuyoshi Koike’s big game: Fourth down and 2 nanometers to go