InterestingOctober 23, 2007 This was a good introduction to Shintoism. It is pretty basic, but it gives you a good foundation of the system. This skims the surface and gives you enough to get a good idea of how things work. It also gives you the framework to delve deeper into Shintoism and actually understand what they are talking about.
Concise and informative for those want to know the basics and get a deeper understanding of Japanese cultureFebruary 13, 2007 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This brief volume covers the essentials of Shinto and is a great introduction to the subject for Western audiences who wish to have a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, history and especially religious context.
This is a delightful and engaging read by a respected author. Depending upon your purposes, it may be all you need. If you are a very serious student of Japanese culture or world religions, you may want to take it as a good starting point on this topic.
An informative and visually appealing guide to the Shinto religionOctober 23, 2005 15 out of 15 found this review helpful
"Shinto: The Kami Way," by Sokyo Ono, is an overview of Shinto, which the author defines as "the indigenous faith of the Japanese people." William P. Woodard is given an "in collaboration with" credit on the title page, and also contributes a preface. The book also features illustrations by Sadao Sakamoto, who is identified on the title page as a Priest of the Yasukuni Shrine. The title page and back cover offer some information on author Ono, who is identified as a Professor at Kokogakuin University, a Shinto university in Tokyo, and as a Lecturer for the Association of Shinto Shrines.
The foreword by Hideo Kishimoto notes that this book was first published in 1960; the copyright page notes further that the Tuttle edition has a copyright date of 1962, and has gone through 30 printings as of 2003. The book is generously illustrated not only with Sakamoto's drawings, but also with many black-and-white photographs. The book is relatively short (116 plus xii pages), and the main text is divided into five chapters: "The Kami Way," "Shrines," "Worship and Festivals," "Political and Social Characteristics," and "Some Spiritual Characteristics." The text covers many Shinto topics: mythology, important historic texts, the use of symbolic artifacts, the distinctive gateways known as torii, shrine architecture, the priesthood, home worship, sacred dances, Shinto's centuries-old relationship with Japanese Buddhism, emperor worship, tree worship, sacred mountains, ethics and more.
Ono also discusses the kami, which he describes as "the objects of worship in Shinto." In his preface, Woodard states that translating the word "kami" as "god" is misleading, and suggests that the word "kami," rather than being subject to a problematic translation, should simply be incorporated into the English language. Ono concludes the book by noting that while Shinto is an ethnic faith specific to the Japanese people, "it possesses a universality which can enrich the lives of all people everywhere." This is a fascinating and well-written book, and the text is well complemented by the many illustrations. I especially enjoyed the photos of the serene-looking Shinto temples. In a relatively small space Ono conveys a sense of the epic history and evolution of Shinto, as well as its enduring power and appeal. I found the book not only educational, but also inspiring in a subtle yet satisfying way.
Accurate, reputable, but just a start...May 13, 2004 12 out of 12 found this review helpful
As the author of this decades old volume takes pains to point out, Shinto is a hard subject to pin down. Because the shrines seen across Japan essentially grew out of the worship of thousands and thousands of separate divinites (most representing a different agricultural clan), there is no central scripture to follow in order to explain Shinto.
That being said, this volume is accurate and written by a respected authority within the Shinto world. Thus, the trustworthy knowledge in this book would be a great addition to any travellers backpack in Japan. Shinto shrines are everywhere there, and this book goes some distance in uravelling these mysterious nature/god shrines.
Another good thing about this book is it's non-indulgent, straightforward and unassuming style. Longtime Japan residents and first-time visitors are sure to get something out of it - whether it is the configuration of prayer papers, why prayers are tied to certain trees or why certain shrine buildings are built in one architectural fashion or another.
The main drawback for me is that this book fails to give enough of an inventory (or pictures) of the major shinto divinities. I know there are thousands, maybe millions of these gods, but a small gallery of 50 or so would be both fascinating and revealing.
A lesser drawback is the opaque way in which the author mentions but sidesteps Shinto's role in Japanese nationalism, while simultaneously suggesting that only Japanese people can fully be Shinto.
But, in any case, this book is cheap enough and worth the effort if you spend any time in Japan. B+
a very good introductionOctober 27, 2003 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
this is not a book that will teach you how to run a shinto shrine, nor is it a scholastic examination of the religion. it is a basic introduction to the native religion of japan. that said, if you read this book, you'll probably understand shinto about as well as any lay person in japan. very informative, includes pictures and diagrams.
