Server for learning about Shinto, whether you're just curious or already are practicing! | 14 members
Made a Discord! It's very much a work in progress, but I'm hoping to flesh out the Omikuji Bot soon.
Sade Olutola
official daine visual archive
Doug Jones
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occasionally subtle

if i look back, i am lost
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NASA

Product Placement
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PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH

❣ Chile in a Photography ❣

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Interview Vampire Daily
macklin celebrini has autism

izzy's playlists!

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seen from Türkiye

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@shintoinenglish
Server for learning about Shinto, whether you're just curious or already are practicing! | 14 members
Made a Discord! It's very much a work in progress, but I'm hoping to flesh out the Omikuji Bot soon.
Where to mail order ofuda, omamori, etc. outside of Japan
Shusse Inari Shrine (USA)
Hilo Daijingu (USA)
Shinmei Spiritual Centre (Canada)
Izumo Oyashiro Malaysia (Malaysia)
Shiracha Shinto Shrine (Thailand)
Dazaifu Tenmangu (Japan)- ships internationally via ZenMarket
Note: There are some shrines where they do not specify whether or not they can ship internationally, and I did not include them here just in case. There are also shrines where they did ship internationally before Trump's tariffs. Hopefully the tariffs are removed soon and I can add more shrines to this list. This list is also not exhaustive, and I have refrained form listing some. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions about specific shrines and their inclusion or exclusion, or to suggest any additions.
It's always good to email the shrine if you have any questions.
"The Manifestation of Benzaiten Overwhelming Taira no Kiyomori at Miyajima" by Utagawa Yoshitora (歌川芳虎), 1862
Woodblock print, left sheet of triptych, Ōban format, from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum
There is a Shinto LGBT group, by the way! Their website is more focused on a legal issue they're having with an author, but their social media is pretty helpful. It's entirely in Japanese, though.
They've also written a norito for same-sex weddings!
Get more from Shinto in English on Patreon
New Patron-only post! And the start of a series.
Year of the snake
Preparing our new year snake ornaments for the kamidana.
PLEASE REBLOG: Shusse Inari Shinto Shrine of America has lost priceless items in the mail. The package was sent from Colorado to California.
If you have any information, please contact the shrine at https://shintoinari.org/resources/contact/
Sansankudo (三三九度) illustrations for Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America (* ´ ▽ ` *)
Sansankudo is part of the wedding ceremony in Shintō, involving the drinking of sake.
Shinto Weddings or 神前結婚 (Shinzen Kekkon) as we see them today are actually a fairly modern conception, started during the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Historically pre-Meiji weddings were viewed as another way to honor the kami, in this case the kami Izanagi Ōkami and Izanami Ōkami. Priests did not officiate. According to the Kokugakuin Encyclopedia of Shinto:
"...the order of ceremonies is basically as follows: (1) a purification rite; (2) a bow from the officiate; (3) the raising of shinsen (food and sake offered to the kami); (4) a norito litany performed by the officiate and addressed to the gods; (5) the lowering of the now-blessed sake (miki) and the pouring of it for the bride and groom, who drink it in one of two ritualized patterns. The first pattern, known as sankon no gi, dictates that the first cup is drunk first by the groom then bride, the second cup by the bride then groom, and the third cup by the groom then bride. The second—so-called san-san-ku-do, or "three by three, nine times" ritual—dictates that three cups of sake are drunk in three sips each: the first sip by the groom, the second sip by the bride, and the third sip by the groom again. If the couple exchanges rings, the exchange typically occurs thereafter; (6) the marriage partners read their marriage vows; (7) the performance of music; (8) sacred offerings of evergreen branches (tamagushi) are made in turn by the officiate, the couple, and, if applicable, the matchmaker; (9) the mutual pledge between families as symbolized by their partaking of the sacred wine; (10) the lowering of food offerings; and (11) a bow from the priest to conclude the ceremony."
Adorable handmade summer garb for the teppô kitsune statues of Hikan Inari Shrine. The ones in bucket hats and holding uchiwa fans are sending me <3
Where did kami come from? Does it matter which god you pray to? What unusual shrines are there? Kokugakuin University Professor Hirafuji Kik
I think this may be helpful to those who want to learn about what kamisama are and how we understand them.
Get more from Shinto in English on Patreon
New post! This was a lot of fun to read about. I've seen many fujizuka in my life, and I think it's a wonderful way to make mountain worship more accessible.
Professions list
I'm planning on making a list of professions and which kamisama are considered to be their patrons (so to speak). This is not to make a 'correspondence list' but to help people who feel lost about which kamisama to worship. Please send me any professions you don't see listed below the readmore that you'd like me to include via ask, submission, or reply!
京都 清水寺 🐲青龍会🐉 2024年3月15日
kyoto kiyomizudera templ 🐲seiryue🐉
Can you say more about why you don't like Shokai Koshikidake? I couldn't find anything online related to the accusations you made.
Yes, here.
He directly acknowledges their use in Korean shamanism and exclaims his goal of using them in a Shinto ritual which is highly inappropriate.
If you need translation, you can have the Twitter automatic translation if you click on the links.
Household Festivals in Shinto
Shinto festivals are usually celebrated at shrines. For those who do not live near a shrine, here is my adapted festival calendar. The dates for these festivals may vary due to astronomical or calendrical reasons.
New Year's Day (Oshogatsu):
On New Year's Day, eat and make lucky foods known as Osechi. Some recipes are listed here. Many Japanese people go to a shrine or temple for the first time in the new year, a practice called hatsumode. Instead of this, worshipers abroad could try offering sake at the kamidana.
Setsubun
Setsubun marks the beginning of spring. This is celebrated on either February 3 or 4. The date for Setsubun moves one day every 20 years. On this day, children throw roasted soybeans out the door or at an adult wearing an oni mask and chant "(鬼は外! 福は内!" (Oni go outside, luck come inside!). You can also eat roasted soybeans equivalent in number to your age.
Hinamatsuri
Hinamatsuri is held on March 3 at home by families who often are gifted hina dolls. These are carefully laid out, with votive miniature mochi in front of them. Special lanterns are laid out on both sides. Sometimes there are many dolls to play music and entertain the main couple. The purpose of this holiday is to pray for a good marriage for your daughter. Of course, this is quite heteronormative, but I wanted to include this just in case.
Haru Higan
Haru Higan is usually celebrated around March 20 for seven days. On this day, those with Japanese ancestry can worship their ancestors. Everyone can appreciate the coming warmth of spring as well.
Tanabata
Tanabata is usually celebrated on July 7, though some celebrate it on August 7. This commemorates the day that two literally star-crossed lovers, an oxherd and a weaver, can meet by crossing the Milky Way. If it rains, it is said that the weather prevents them from meeting until the next year. If it is clear, they are able to be reunited. You can write wishes on pieces of paper and hang them on bamboo stalks.
Obon
Obon is a major summer holiday held in honor of ancestors on July 15 or August 15 depending on the family. This one is often more Buddhist-flavored. You can make a small fire (real or symbolic -- and please be mindful of fire safety) as a landmark for your ancestors to find your home. Traditionally, specific altars just for the ancestors who return during Obon are constructed. A common practice is to construct horses and cows out of cucumbers and eggplants, respectively. The method for this is simple -- simply stick toothpicks in for their legs! It is said that this is to make ancestors come faster and leave slower. Bon Odori (Bon Dances) are held where slow traditional songs are played, and locals dance in a circle around a high platform with a drummer on it. This is a time of much fun and games. Fires are also lit at the ancestors' departure.
Tsukimi
Tsukimi is the moon-watching festival held on the eighth month of the lunar calendar on the 15th day. Traditions for this festival include making tsukimi dango (recipe here) and offering them on a sanbo tray by a window. You can also offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, and sprigs of susuki, or pampas grass.
Aki Higan
Aki Higan is the fall festival on September 22 or 23 marking the beginning of fall and cooler seasons in Japan. This is another day for worshiping one's ancestors.
Preparing for the New Year
At the end of the year, get mochi, shimekazari and any other items you need in preparation for the New Year. You may also wish to clean your home at this time.
*I may update this list later!
Open paganism
Is there a thing as open paganism list? I am curious to know as nowdays many are clamied to be closed - especially for yte people. Even the old religions of old yte nations are seemed nowdays to be robbed of us what can we believe in if everything we do is racist even breathing and the sheer existing is wrong?
(Just gonna say this now, but if you are not OP, do not go and harass this person please; felt this post needed a disclaimer, since this is a sensitive topic)
Hey there, you commented on another post of mine regarding this topic (deleted), so I figured I'd answer your question! I will say real quick that closed religions do not always have to do with racism; it's often more about the marginalized cultures they stem from. Being a white person by birth is not inherently wrong or racist, and you're missing the point by thinking that way. But that's a lot to unpack, so we'll tuck it away for now. Onto closed practices! Although I see several lists online when searching on Google, some of them discuss misused terms as being "closed" or even Greek deities which is incorrect, so I'll give you a list of closed practices in general (that I know of).
First off, though, what makes a closed practice? How exactly does a practice become "closed"? Although there are many different answers to this question, a common one is that these religions were criminalized and their sacred practices often bastardized. These religions typically come from heavily marginalized groups of people, such as Native Americans and Jews. They are labeled as "closed" oftentimes in an attempt to prevent further bastardization and outsiders (white people, typically) from stealing from these marginalized groups (and their cultures). It's simply respectful for people to ask permission (from that religion's authority figure) or outright not be involved in a closed religion at all.
***List of Closed Practices (Others Are Welcome to Add)***
Shinto (Have been told you need to be initiated and that some branches are open; I say do your research and ask people actively involved in this religion)
Judaism (you can be converted to this faith, but referencing it religiously without conversion is considered disrespectful)
Saami
Hoodoo
Diasporic religions (Santeria, Lucumi, Voodoo, Vodou, Obeah, etc.)
Indigenous beliefs
Mandaen
Druze
Yezidi
Druidism (must be initiated, from what I understand)
I am not the end all, be all authority on this matter by any means, but these are religions I've seen commonly repeated as closed. It's important to note that sometimes, you can simply ask a priest or similar authority within the religion to initiate you or for permission to practice. The best rule of thumb, in my opinion, is to simply ask someone who practices these religions actively if you're unsure about anything. It's better to ask questions than to start practicing it of your own accord. I do also want to mention that there are significantly more open religions than closed ones. You have A LOT to choose from; all you need to do is look into your options. This sense of entitlement to practice closed religions is actually the exact problem and part of why they're closed. ^^;
As a bonus, here's a list of religions commonly seen as closed but that are open to all (to my knowledge).
***Open But Commonly Mistaken For Closed***
Hinduism
Buddhism
Kemeticism
Norse paganism
Greek/Hellenic paganism
Islam (as in anyone can easily convert to the religion with no official registration required, just the prouncement of the Shahadah; please keep in mind that Muslims are marginalized in many places)
I hope this can be helpful to you. Whiteness is not the problem, friend; it is the treatment of people of color by white people, both historically and currently. You are not evil by being white. It is the way you treat others that matters, not the color of your skin. By focusing on how racism makes you feel, you're focusing on the wrong problem.
Hi, Shintō practitioner here. Shintō is absolutely 100% open. There are no closed parts. There's Onmyōdō, which is not a sub-type or sect of Shintō but a separate practice which includes Shintō and Daoist origins, which is initiatory. Otherwise, use common sense and respect, but it's open.
I would like to say most of these religions are not pagan, though, by definition -- and OP was specifically asking for pagan religions. Many Shintō practitioners find it offensive to group our religion in with paganism as it gets the New Age treatment often. Also, I'm not a Druid but from what I understand, Druidry is not closed.
Hina-matsuri (雛祭り) // Peach Festival — Girls’ Day in Japan. Celebrated each year on 3 March, it is most known for displaying platforms with a set of ornamental dolls (hina-ningyō) representing the royal court of the Heian period. The predecessors of hina-ningyō could be Nagashi-bina (lit. “doll floating”) ceremonies, which were held around the country, where participants make dolls out of paper or straw and send them on a boat down a river, carrying one’s impurities and sin with them. The evolution from paper dolls to the wooden/ceramic ones, from throwing the dolls away to keeping them as a traditional decor has gradually led it to the intricate designs of modern hina-ningyō. One of the most famous parts of Hinamatsuri is the special display of seated male and female dolls, which represent a Heian period wedding, but usually described as the Emperor and Empress of Japan. These may be as simple as pictures or origami, or intricately carved and dressed dolls. More elaborate displays will include a multi-tiered doll stand representing ladies of the court, musicians, and other attendants, with all sorts of accoutrements. The celebrations on the Girls’ Day are dedicated to wish girls health, joy and happiness.
Happy Hinamatsuri! I was raised with the understanding that it was a festival to pray for a daughter's good marriage.