Shintoism

"Because understanding religious beliefs is key to understanding history and political movement, CALLIOPE continues to focus one issue a year on a world religion. This issue centers on Shinto, a religion practiced widely by the Japanese. Learn how Izanagi and Izanami created the Japanese world and why the sun goddess Amaterasu chose to withdraw her light from the world and hide in the "cave of the heavens." You’ll learn about Shinto basic beliefs in the Kojiki and the Nikon Shoki (the ancient records), the Shichi-go-san festival celebrated by seven-, five-, and three-year olds, as well as the Girls Festival, Boys Festival, and wedding and funeral practices. Then visit the famed shrine at Ise, meet the priests and priestesses who perform the rituals, and be introduced to Shinto worship and rituals. Learn, too, about ema, well known to students who are about to take exams. In a special eight-page section, visit with archaeologists on site in Japan excavating the key-hole tombs and learn why shell middens are important." (text taken from cobblestonepub.com)