Reflections on Shinto: Nature, Purity, and the Spirit of Connection

Shinto is the faith centred around shrines and the worship of the gods of Japan. It can be said to have been born from the daily lives of the Japanese people. Long ago, our ancestors lived in close connection with nature through activities such as rice farming and fishing.

Unlike many religions, Shinto has no single founder or central scripture. It is a collection of practices and beliefs passed down through generations.

These teachings are closely intertwined with faith in the kami (gods or spirits) within Shinto. Another important characteristic of Shinto is its emphasis on purity as the foundation of worship. Shrines are always kept clean and pure, and participants in festivals undergo rituals of purification for both body and mind.

The teachings of Shinto embody the wisdom and values cultivated by the Japanese people since ancient times. These include protecting nature — represented by the chinju no mori (the sacred forests surrounding shrines) — and fostering coexistence between nature and humanity; maintaining harmony and a sense of unity within local communities through festivals; and praying for the prosperity of future generations, as well as the well-being of families and communities.

A few years ago, I visited an old shrine near my home in Kobe. I thought about the people and the countless precious life stories spanning thousands of years — through rainy days, stormy days, earthquakes, and sunny days. I wondered what people had prayed for, and I felt a deep sense of awe at the acceptance of the spirits within that sacred shrine.

Taking time to pray there brought me a profound sense of peace.