Layman's Guide to Online Research by @/sisterofiris LINK
How to Vet Sources by me LINK
General Websites
Internet Archive Library — https://archive.org/details/texts | How To Use LINK
JSTOR — https://www.jstor.org/ | How To Use LINK
Academia — https://support.academia.edu/hc/en-us/categories/360003163373-Academia-Free-Features
Libby — https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6103.htm
Met Museum Publications — https://www.metmuseum.org/met-publications
Deepdyve is a website of academic journal articles that isn't free but it isn't outrageously expensive for what it offers if you are heavily invested in new research — https://www.deepdyve.com/
Subject Matter Websites
Internet Ancient History Sourcebook — https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/asbook.asp
Livius — https://www.livius.org/ | Founder's credentials LINK
Internet Sacred Text Archive — https://sacred-texts.com/
Holy Books — https://www.holybooks.com/about/
Search Engines
WorldCat. One of the best library resources. It will search for books, articles, CDs, DVDs, Newspaper archives, and more. Some might have open access versions, it will list the online locations you can access it from (though usually not open access like JSTOR), websites where you can purchase it, and it will show the libraries in your area that have the book/resource, if you put in your zip code. — https://search.worldcat.org/about
Google Scholar. This rarely gives you the open access version but it is one of the best ways to find articles and then look elsewhere to get it. If you are lucky it has a PDF or Academia link to the source — https://scholar.google.com/intl/en/scholar/help.html
Google Books Most books are not 100% open access but you can usually get two-three pages around your key term for context. It can also help you decide if a book is worth buying or worth physically going to a library to borrow it — https://books.google.com/googlebooks/about/index.html
DOAJ Index of Open Access Journals — https://www.doaj.org/
Base Search Designed to find academic web sources and documents. Including open access — https://www.base-search.net/about/en/help.php
Archives Hub 390 institutions in the UK for academic research returns both print and digital resources.— https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/index.html
For Hellenic History & Polytheism, ANE History & Polytheism, Shinto, and Miscellaneous.
Collection of posts that have multiple resources within them.
Please see the original of this so you can see ALL the new ones, tumblr has changed the way "read more" updates
☀️How to Use Internet Archive & Open Library — Link
☀️JSTOR Free Account — Link
☀️Learning to Research, Websites, & Search Engines — Link
☀️Determine a source's reliability — Link
☀️Citing sources for a tumblr post, not school — Link
••Compiled by Me
Ancient Near East
☀️Websites & Online Books for Ancient Near East, Translations, and Some Articles. — Link
☀️Mesopotamian Magic Resources — Link
Hellenic Polytheism
☀️Greek Hero Worship Resources — Link
☀️Poseidon Resources — Link
☀️Posts on Hellenic Polytheist Prayer Structure — Link
☀️Modern Greek Culture, Xenia, Filotimo — Link
☀️Zeus Myth vs Cult Resources — Link
Shinto
☀️Information on Ame-No-Uzume-No-Mikoto — Link
☀️Quotes with links on Honoring Kami and Jinja — Link
☀️Quotes with links on Shinto Offerings — Link
☀️Shinto David Chart Essay List — Link (No free access)
☀️Bloomsbury Shinto Studies Book List — Link (No free access)
Miscellaneous
☀️Routledge Gods & Heros Book List — Link
☀️Christian Apocrypha Related to Virgin Mary — Link
☀️Adam & Eve Apocrypha — Link
☀️Modern Greek Online Language Resources — Link
••Compiled by Others
Ancient Near East
☀️Semitic Polytheism Resources. Compiled by Tsalmu & availability by Me — Link
☀️Mesopotamian Burial Practices. Compiled by Enkidusbi — Link
Hellenic Polytheism
☀️"Hellenism Resources.” Compiled by Pomegranateandivy — Link
☀️"Hellenic Polytheism - Free (and reliable!) Resources.“ Compiled by Honorthegods — Link
☀️Minoan and Mycenaean Greece Resources. Compiled by Royal-wren — Link
☀️"Archaic Greece Era Resources" Compiled by Numinous-archives — Link
☀️"Hellenic History PDFs" from Ancient to Present" Compiled by Lovecorekiss — Link
☀️Ancient Greek Divination Recommended Reading" Compiled by The-Brambled-Way — Link (No link access)
☀️Ancient Greek Afterlife, Geography of Hades Compiled by Wayfind-er & Childofthefireandthestorm — Link
☀️Sources on Andromeda Compiled by Sarafangirlart — Link
☀️Hero Worship by Wayfind-er — Link
☀️Greek God Epithet Database | Community Project by Ace-angelicpagan — Link
☀️Google Drive on Ancient Greek Religion by Ombrokharis — Link
☀️Google Drive on Hellenic Polytheism (and Tarot and Energywork) by Citrineandrosmarin — Link
☀️Google Drive on Hellenic & Roman Polytheism by Wayfind-er — Link
Shinto
☀️Shinto Reading List & Other Resources. Compiled by Livingwithkami — Link
Miscellaneous
☀️Google Drive for Greek Polytheism & Hellenism | Roman & Italic Polytheism | Gaulish & Gallo-Roman Polytheism | and Celtiberian Polytheism by Flowersandfigtrees — Link
☀️"Resources for the Internet Classicist" Compiled by Classicslesbianopinions & Doloneia — Link
☀️First Nations Institute's Essential Reading — Link
☀️Researching Botany & Plants Compiled by Heatherwitch — Link
☀️Black People in Ancient Greece. Compiled by wayfind-er — Link
☀️"Cuban & Caribbean Folk Magic.” Compiled by Magicaguajiro — Link
EDSDE | Electronic Database of Sumerian Divine Epithets — https://www.edsde.de/.page/introduction.php
Avaliable Online Books
When using older books be aware that there may be inaccuracies and out of date information. If at all possible cross-reference and synthesize with newer materials. I have added years for this reason.
How to Use Internet Archive Library — Link
Books Specifically on Religion
Leick & Black's dictionaries are good starting off points but I always use additional source's because some of Black's info and Leick's info in particular tends to be more out of date than other authors. Frayne's Dictionary is very new and updated. I use these 3 in combo often.
Gods Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Jeremy Black and Anthony Greene (1992) Internet Archive
Ancient Near Eastern Mythology by Gwendolyn Leick (1991) Internet Archive
A Handbook to Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Near East by Frayne and Stuckey (2021) Internet Archive
From Goddesses in Context: On Divine Powers, Roles, Relationships and Gender in Mesopotamian Textual and Visual Sources by Asher-Greve and Westenholz (2013) PDF
The Cultic Calendars of the Ancient Near East by Mark Cohen (1993) PDF
Preforming Death Social Analysis of Funerary Traditions in the Ancient Near East and Medditarian edited by Nicola Laneri (2007) PDF
Mesopotamian Ritual-prayers of “Hand-lifting”(Akkadian Šuillas) by Christopher G Frechette (2012) Internet Archive
When Gods Were Men: The Embodied God in Biblical and Near Eastern Literature by Esther Hamon (2008) Internet Archive
Books on ANE History in General
Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Stephen Bertman (2005) Google Books | Not avaliable online BUT highly recommended, easy read.
Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Karen Rhea Nemet-Nejat (2002) Internet Archive
A History of the Ancient Near East ca. 3000- 323BC by Marc Van de Mieroop (2016) Internet Archive
Everyday Life in Ancient Mesopotamia by Jean Bottero (1992) Internet Archive
Women in the Ancient Near East by Marten Stol (2016) Open Access
Chapter 3 Elamite from The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ancient World Languages edited by Roger Wooard (2004) PDF
Sumerian Art by Andre Parrot (1970) Digital Library
The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation, Including the Demotic Spells edited by Hans Dieter Betz (1986) PDF (If that link breaks Google Books)
Translations
The Harps That Once by Thorkild Jacobsen Google Books
The Project Gutenberg Sumerian Liturgies and Psalms by Stephen Langdon PDF
Project Gutenberg's Sumerian Hymns, by Frederick Augustus Vanderburgh LINK
Ancient Near East Anthology of Texts and Pictures edited by Pritchard 1st Edition Internet Archive
A Hymn to Tammuz (Cuneiform Texts from the British Museum, Tablet 15821, Plate 18) J. Dyneley Prince (1909) JSTOR
Ludlul Bel Nemegi by Alan Lenzi the Akkadian "Poem of the Righteous Sufferer" LINK
The Flood Myths LINK
Enūma Eliš Translations: L W King Translation 1902 LINK | ETANA Translation LINK | Composite Translation LINK
Code of Ur-Nammu LINK
Code of Liptin Ishtar LINK
Articles
Random Assortment Because Mobile Link Limit. I may just make a separate post for these.
The Mesopotamian Pandemonium by Frans Wiggerman LINK
Phenomenon of God-nap in Ancient Mesopotamia A Short Introduction Erika D. Johnson LINK
Preforming Death Social Analysis of Funerary Traditions in the Ancient Near East and Medditarian edited by Nicola Laneri LINK
New Year Ceremonies in Ancient Babylon: 'Taking Bel by the Hand' and a Cultic Picnic Religion Jeremy A Black LINK
Tablet of Destinies and the Transmission of Power in Enūma eliš by Karen Sonik LINK
Theology and Worship in Elam and Achaemenid Iran by Koch LINK
The Four Winds and the Origins of Pazuzu by Frans Wiggermann LINK
Evil against evil. The Demon Pazuzu by Nils P Heeßel LINK
New Readings in the Amarna Versions of Adapa and Nergal and Ereshkigal by Shlomo Izre'el LINK
Sumerian Texts Involving The Netherworld and Funerary Offerings by Jeremiah Peterson LINK
The Origin of the Mystical Number Seven in Mesopotamian Culture: Division by Seven in the Sexagesimal Number System by Kazuo Muroi LINK
Athirat: As Found at Ras Shamra Justin Watkins LINK
Are there any deities you don’t currently worship but want to learn about? by @wisdom-devotee
I have realized I know basically nothing about Poseidon. I don't have any inclination to worship him but I was shocked with how little I knew. I had no clue how connected to horses he was or how "old" he possibly is, nor his connections to Desponia or Peloponenese. [Disclaimer: I have not read all the sources]
Met Museum:
Poseidon, Herakles, and Hermes fishing. The immortals of Mount Olympos were not exclusively engaged in momentous feats. Here three of them are shown fishing, each perched on a rock. Poseidon holds his catch in one hand, his trident in the other; Herakles tries his luck with a rod; and Hermes gesticulates at the right." Terracotta lekythos (oil flask) ca. 515 BCE Greek, Attic. Met Museum — Link
Encyclopedia of Ancient History: Poseidon by Ioannis Mylonopoulos — Link
Theoi Project Poseidon — Link
Boeotian Black Figure. Bowl, Three-Handled. ca 5th Century BCE. The Gorgon Medusa lies dead, beheaded by the hero Perseus. On the left, the god Poseidon strides forward with a trident in one hand and a dolphin at his feet. One of the Gorgons rushes towards him with arms outstretched. She is crowned with a pair of serpents and wears two snakes tied as a girdle about the waist. Behind her, Medusa lies dead with blood squirting from the severed stump of her neck. The winged, horse Pegasus flies just above her, born in the gout of blood. — Link
The Indo-European Attribute of Poseidon as the Water God by Nobuo Komita — Link (Link to Google Scholar and PDF is a download)
Abstract: Generally Poseidon is regarded as the Greek sea god; however, besides his maritime attribute, he seems to have closely associated with fresh water. As the myth of Amymone indicates, Poseidon produced springs which formed the Lerna River; in addition, Amymone is concerned with water as the river and springs of her name imply. And as the myth of the Alban Lake suggests, Neptunus, the Roman equivalent of Poseidon, is also closely associated with fresh water. The etymology of Neptunus is interpreted as 'Nephew of Water'. The etymology of Poseidon also indicates that Poseidon seems to be concerned with warer; the *da-component of Poseidon is explained as proto-1-E 'fowing water'. In eastern and central Europe, major river names such as the Don, the Dnieper, the Doniester, and the Donau have the * da- component. These features imply that the etymology of Poseidon can be interpreted as 'Husband of Waters' indicating Poseidon as a fertility god, and similarly his seismic attribute is related with water (earth water'). The Indo-European sky god Zeus is also associated with water sending the rain to fertilize the earth, which indicates that Zeus and Poseidon share the same role as a fertility spirit. Originally Poseidon was the Indo-European water god associated with fertility, and Poseidon seems to have acquired his maritime aspect in Greece. However, his etymology and various features concerning water designate that Poseidon firmly retained his original Indo-European attribute. (sorry if this is wonky copy/paste was weird)
Pu-ro, pa-ki-ja-na/-ne, and the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Pylos By Barbara Montecchi — Link
From Article: the hypothesis is put forward that the temple of Poseidon (po-si-da-i-jo), which is linked to both pu-ro and pa-ki-ja-ne (PY Tn 316), should be identified with the central megaron of the Palace, the religious role of which is well known. Poseidon indeed appears as the most prominent god of the Pylos kingdom
Continuity From the Mycenaean Period in a Historical Boeotiam Cult of Poseidon (And Erinys) by Thomas Palaima — Link
From Article: ...in the full range of Mycenaean culture and its place within the Hellenic tradition, past and present. He has also been interested in detailing the archaeological evidence for what leading researchers call 'the horse of Poseidon', i.e., the terrible earthquake damage that might have contributed to the demise of Mycenaean palatial culture. I offer this exploration into continuity of an unusual cult of Poseidon in Boeotia from the Bronze Age into the classical period
Mythical and ritual landscapes of Poseidon Hippios in Arcadia by Julie Baleriaux — Link
Abstract: Poseidon has recently benefited from renewed scholarly attention, contributing to re-evaluate his role in ancient Greek imaginary. By opening the research previously limited to literary evidence to the archaeological and topographical evidence, new perspectives on “Poseidonian landscapes” have emerged. Arcadia, a land-locked region where Poseidon Hippios is celebrated with fervour, is here taken as a case study to try and go further in identifying the god’s realm of action. Areas with floods seem to be his preferred worship places, while in other areas he plays a crucial part in myths but is hardly worshipped alone. There also seems to be a connection between his patronage over freshwater and horses. Overall, natural observation seems to have been instrumental in choosing the location of his worship places.
From Polis to Borders: Demarcation of Social and Ritual Space in the Sanctuary of Poseidon at Kalaureia, Greece by Pakkanen Petra — Link
Abstract: This article focuses on three interrelated themes in the study of ancient Greek religion, looked at through the material evidence from the sanctuary of Poseidon at Kalaureia on the island of Poros, Greece. First, I look at the so-called polis model and its applicability to an interpretation of Kalaureian material related to the cultic life of the sanctuary from the point of view of the 'historiography' of Greek religion. I then discuss the historical context of the archaeological material, with particular emphasis on the topic of the sanctuary as a known place of asylum particularly during the Hellenistic period. Thirdly, I examine the archaeological material related to eating and dining and its potential connection to the demarcation between sacred and profane activities and between sacralised and profane space in the sanctuary, with special interpretative attention to the significance of border(s) and boundaries. Drawing attention to these issues may help us understand the dynamics and interplay between 'official' and 'private' aspects of ancient Greek religion, within both the tradition of the scholarship of ancient Greek religion and the so-called 'archaeology of cult'.
Further Insights on the Cult of Poseidon Helikonios in Helike (IV)* by Dora Katsonopoulou — Link , PDF
From Article:
The cult statue in Poseidon's temple probably showed the god seated, holding trident in one hand and dolphin (fish) in the other. This type of Poseidon enthroned is represented on coinage of a number of cities associated with his worship (Fig. 3a-c); more interestingly, a similar depiction of the god, even identified as Helikonios, is preserved on early 3rd century BC coins from Sinope, where he was strongly worshipped. On the reverse of these coins, Poseidon is shown seated on throne to left, holding dolphin in his right hand and leaning with his left hand on trident; on the countermark of the coin illustrated, a diademed radiant head of a god (Zeus or Poseidon) to the left is depicted (Fig. 3d).
Reflections on the gems depicting the contest of Athena and Poseidon by Hadrien Rambach — Link
From Article:
This article examines the depiction on engraved gems - with essential detours to marble sculpture and numismatics - of the "dispute of Athena and Poseidon", or rather the presentation of the gifts, with the gods facing each other. The most famous is a cameo in Naples (plate 1), [...] engraved gems, this large cameo measures over 50mm in height. Believed to date from the late 1st century BCE. [...] Part of the attraction - and mystery - of the cameo is the unexplained series of engravings in the exergue: two palm trees, two shells, two wheels (?), the IY monogram, and another, unidentified object (plate 2)
The Sanctuary of Poseidon at Onchestos from Onchestos Excavation Project — Link
From website: Sanctuary of Poseidon at Onchestos has left its mark in the literary works of the ancient Greek civilization as a longstanding religious and political hub in Boeotia. From the 1960s on, sporadic archaeological investigations at the site provided tantalizing glimpses at the extent of the sanctuary and its influence over the region.
Site A of Sanctuary
Louvre Museum:
Fragment. Poseidon (remains, standing, headband, chiton, himation, holding, trident); framing net. Late Corinthian 6th Century BCE ca. 550-525 BCE . — Link
Paywalled: Poseidon's Festival at the Winter Solstice by Noel Robertson — Link
I hope this collection of sources is informative. I tried to keep my comments to a minimum.
Disclaimer: Auto translation was used for basic sections of text on Japanese websites, because I looked topics up using Kanji. I am not fluent in Japanese.
🔴 Jinja 神社 — Shinto Shrine
"Jinja Shinto" 神社神道 — Shrine Shinto. The traditional religious practices carried on in shrines throughout Japan's history, as well as the attitudes toward life which support these practices. At the core of this religion exists a reverent religious experience which has prevailed from antiquity and which leads Japanese believers to experience the will and activity of the gods through various events of everyday life — Basic Terms of Shinto, Kokugakuin University Link
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"A jinja and its grounds are like the home of the kami. You should treat it with the respect you would show when visiting an important person in their home. The entrance to a jinja is marked by a torii. The torii marks the border between the sacred space of the jinja and the everyday world outside, and so many people pause and bow their heads slightly before walking through". — Jinja Honchō English Link | Jinja Honchō can be translated to "Association of Shinto Shrines"
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"[...] terminology relating to the religious institution of the Shinto jinja, customarily translated as "shrine," including its architectural structures and other facilities, ritual implements, and clerical vestments. [...] Present day shrines are ordinarily composed of main shrine buildings (shaden 社殿) together with halls of sacred dance (kaguraden 神楽殿), shrine offices (shamusho 社務所), and other structures in the shrine precincts (keidai 境内). Items such as torii 鳥居 (sacred arches or gateways), komainu 狛犬 ("Korean Lions"), votive lanterns (tōrō 灯篭), and purification fonts (temizuya 手水舎) can be found along the approach inside the shrine. Shrine buildings may include distinct structures such as a the sanctuary (honden 本殿*), hall of worship (haiden 拝殿* ), and the hall of offerings (heiden 幣殿*). The symbolic "kami body" (shintai 神体) is usually sequestered inside the remote recesses of the sanctuary." — Encyclopedia of Shinto, Kokugakuin University Link
"At shrines, worshipers may present offerings to the kami 神 with the purpose of making a supplication, and in turn, symbolic articles may be presented to worshipers as an emblem of divine power (shintoku 神徳). Offerings to kami may include monetary gifts (saisen 賽銭) or a "votive horse picture" (ema 絵馬). When a person's supplication is granted, he or she frequently makes another offering as a sign of gratitude. Other articles presented to worshipers include "good luck charms" (engimono 縁起物) such as "demon-breaking arrows" (hamaya 破魔矢) and bows, and other similar talismans. These may be charms for general good fortune, or amulets for protection and blessing in specific areas of life" — Same as above.
The article did not give Kanji I added them, hopefully getting them correct. Asterisk means I had to utilize wikipedia's Kanji, otherwise they are from Nihingo Master Dictionary Link and Imiwa Japanese Dictionary Link
🔹 Links for image examples of many of the aspects mentioned above: Japan Guide Link; Maikoya Link; Illustrations Link;
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Venerating a specific Kami vs venerating a specific Jinja I have only seen in David Chart's writing thus far. You may want to research further. It makes sense to me as all the Ofuda I possess have the Jinja's name rather than the Kami's name but that might not be universal.
"The first thing that you need to do is to choose a jinja to venerate. Note that you need to choose a jinja, not a kami. Even when the same kami is enshrined at more than one jinja, which is common, you venerate the kami at a particular jinja. You can choose more than one jinja, and, in fact, the standard rule in Japan is to venerate at least two, and normally three or more. You can even venerate more than one jinja that enshrines the same kami, and those venerations are separate from each other." — Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese by David Chart p 29 Link
"Although you primarily venerate a jinja rather than a kami, it is common to choose a jinja because you like the main kami enshrined there. Most jinja enshrine more than one kami, and some famous kami are actually more than one kami. The most important example is Hachiman Okami, who is (normally) Homudawake no Mikoto, Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto, and Tamayorihime no Mikoto. This means that, if you choose a jinja based on one of the kami, you may well get other kami as part of a "package deal"." — Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese by David Chart p 30
It is probably even more common to choose a jinja because it is famous for a particular kind of benefit. Kinkazan Koganëyama Jinja ("Gold Flower Mountain Gold Mountain Jinja") in Miyagi Prefecture is famous for financial benefits, and according to the jinja's story, if you visit three times in three consecutive years, you will never suffer financial hardship. [...] Tokyo Daijing is famous for "enmusubi", which in this case means finding a good marriage partner, and not because its main kami is Amaterasu Omikami. ([Ise] Jingū is not famous for enmusubi, despite having the same main kami.) Kitanotenmangū is famous for academic success, because its main kami is Tenjin-sama, who was the famous scholar Sugawara no Michizane. — Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese by David Chart p 30
🔴 Ujigami Jinja 氏神神社— 'Local Kami' Shrine
Since the middle ages, the ujigami has come to be viewed as the tutelary deity of a geographical area such as a village — Encyclopedia of Shinto Kokugakuin University Link
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Generally, every local community, whether in city, town, or village, has its own ujigami shrine. The Japanese word uji means "clan", and ujigami denotes the clan's guardian kami, the kami who look after family and community life. All the members of a given community are considered ujiko or 'children of the clan,' hence 'children of the clan kami.' [...] From this perspective it may be said that Shrine Shinto has superimposed a kind of archaic kinship system on territorially defined social units. — Jinja Honchō English link
A ujigami shrine is a shrine that enshrines the guardian deity of the area in which one lives, and the people who live in a certain area around the shrine are called ujiko. Originally, it originated from the fact that clans literally worshipped their ancestral deities (oyagami) or deities with a deep connection to the clan as "ujigamisama," and this group of blood relatives was called ujiko. Today, the terms "ubusunagami" and "ubuko" refer to geographical relationships, but the terms ujigami and ujiko have gradually become confused [(conflated?)] when referring to geographical relationships as well. — Jinja Honchō Japanese Link
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Sarutahiko no O Kami is the main enshrined kami of Tsubaki Grand Shrine North America. Ancestor and leader of all earthly Kami. [...] This is the Hokubei Tsubaki Grand Shrine Ofuda of Sarutahiko no O Kami, specific to North America. If you are not sure of your Ujigami 氏神 (Clan Kami), Ubusunagami 産土神 (Birthplace Guardian Kami), or Chinjugami 鎮守神 (Local Guardian Kami), this Ofuda can be used in the role of an Ujigami Ofuda, because Sarutahiko no O Kami is the leader of all earthly Kami. This Ofuda can be used in the role of an Ujigami Ofuda for all of North America. — Shin Mei Spiritual Center Link
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If you live in the continental USA then Tsubaki Grand Shrine [of North America]* and Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America are both good choices. They have English websites, and will ship ofuda and omamori to you. It will also be easier for you to visit the jinja in person at some point. It could also be argued that these are the nearest equivalent to an Ujigami Jinja for people in your position. —Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese by David Chart p 30
*It is now more broadly "North America" and is officially located in Canada. I don't know if they ship items beyond the US and Canada. Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Washington State was closed down and the Kami transferred to a shrine at the Shin Mei Spiritual Center in British Columbia, Canada where it is one of three shrines Link. It maintains a similar name "Tsubaki Grand Shrine North America."
🔴 Sūkei Jinja 崇敬神社 — A Shrine special to an individual
Revered Shrines: shrines that people have particular faith in. In contrast [to Ujigami Shrines], a revered shrine is one that is revered due to a special personal faith, rather than due to geographical or blood ties, and those who worship at such shrines are called "sūkeisha 崇敬者" — Jinja Honchō Japanese Link
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Sūkeisha are people who particularly revere a jinja, and who visit it to pay their respects, but who are not ujiko. It is common for them to also support the jinja financially.” — An Introduction to Shinto by David Chart p 112 Link
🔴 Ofuda お札
Ofuda are used to venerate the kami in your own home, and some people say that the kami’s spirit resides in them. Physically, they are tablets with the name of the kami or jinja written on, and they come in various sizes. — Jinja Honcho English Link
"If you visit a shrine, you may receive a sacred talisman or amulet. There are various types of ofuda (sacred charms), including the "Jingu Taima" ofuda of Ise Grand Shrine and oufuda issued by each shrine. [...] Ofuda is enshrined in the household altar to protect the home. Ofuda that has been enshrined for a year is brought to the shrine at the end of the year and burned. Then, as the new year approaches, it is a good idea to receive a new Ofuda" — Jinja Honcho Japanese Link
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Ofuda — These serve as a kind of talisman or amulet and contain the name of the Kami written within a protective cover of paper or cloth. Generally, they are placed within the household's kamidana and serve to incorporate the household into the deity's benevolent graces. — A Year in The Life of a Shinto Shrine by John K Nelson pp 261-262 Link | About Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki
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Jingū Taima are the Ofuda of Amaterasu-Ōmikami:
In early modern Japan, they were typically known as oharai お祓 and were understood to be efficacious in warding off evil, as the name suggests. In the modern period (1868-1945), Ise amulets were restyled jingū taima, [...] One [position] held that: they were symbols (onjirushi 御璽) of the Sun Goddess and her unsurpassed virtue (shintoko 神徳) The other [position held] that: amulets were himo-rogi 神籬, namely the most sacred of material objects since, in them, the Sun Goddess was a real presence. These contrary positions were established in the Meiji period, and they are current today. In 2003, there was a major debate on Ise amulets at [Jinja Honchō] headquarters in Tokyo, where arguments in favor of both positions were traded. The symbol theory won through" pp 302-303 [...] "Notwithstanding the official [Jinja Honchō] interpretation of the amulets as "symbols," purification rites in Ise and the rites demanded for home veneration suggest, indeed the very different understanding that the Sun Goddess is present in every one of them." p 305 — Resurrecting the Sacred Land of Japan by John Breen in Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture. Link
Daijingu Temple of Hawaii still describes them as oharai お祓
"Jingu-Taima Oharaisama for Kamidana" — Link
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If you have a Kamidana you can also use this Ofuda stand next to your Kamidana to hold Gokitou shinpu (special Ofuda [given] at prayer ceremonies) or Housaiyoke Ofuda (Home Protection Ofuda). — Shin Mei Spiritual Center Link
🔹Home Protection Ofuda examples that are available from Daijingu Temple of Hawaii: 1- Protect from Robbery; 2-Maintain Peace, Harmony & Prosperity; 3- Protect from Fire & Disaster. — Link
🔴 Kamidana 神棚
"A household Shinto altar, a facility for the conduct of family rites at home, in which amulets of the kami, an "apportioned spirit" (bunrei 分霊) of the kami, and similar items may be enshrined. The place chosen for installation of the kamidana should be clean, bright, and quiet, in a location convenient for worship and placement of offerings. An eastern or southern orientation is generally considered to be desirable. While kamidana have today become important sites for daily devotion to the kami, the institution of the kamidana itself is not particularly old" — Encyclopedia of Shinto Kokugakuin University Link
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"Kamidama — Shinto altar in a private home. Japanese homes freguendy have both an altar for Shinto deities as well as a butsudan for worshipping the Buddha and honoring ancestral spirits. Shrines sell a wide variety of amulets that are then placed within the kamidana. Together, they serve to link the household to the shrine." —A Year in The Life of a Shinto Shrine by John K Nelson p 357
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"...you should set up your kamidana 神棚 (Shinto altars for the households) at home. To cultivate a sense of reverence, it is important to practise daily worship of kami. By placing ofuda 御神札 (secret tablets) from the Grand Shrines in Ise, your own local Shinto shrine known as ujigami jinja 氏神神社, and other favourite Shinto shrines on the kamidana, offering rice, salt, water, sake and others items every day, and reciting norito, you will feel closer to the kami. This is particularly recommended for those who cannot easily visit Shinto shrines due to time schedules or geographical reasons." —Mediators between Kami and the People: What is the position of the Shinto priests? by Shinto Priest Hirohito Tsuji Link This is advice for prospective priests but is the same guideline for lay people (except for lay people not everyone offers every single day.)
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"Kamidana" means "kami shelf", and that succinctly expresses the two essential elements of a kamidana: kami, in one or more ofuda, and a shelf to put them on. That is all you need, and the shelf can be extremely small, little bigger than the ofuda and fixed to the wall. The important point is that the ofuda must be standing on the shelf, not lying down, and must not be pinned or fastened to the wall or a surface. Stand the o-fuda so that the surface with the writing on is facing away from the wall; imagine that the kami are looking out of that side. You can arrange ofuda next to each other, or one in front of another, with those in front leaning on those behind. — Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese by David Chart p 41
Never get ofuda from anywhere but a Shinto Shrine. I have seen sellers on Amazon, Etsy, and Ebay selling ofuda but its extremely improper and against religious tradition.
Caring for an Ofuda:
An Ofuda is a sacred item that should be properly cared for. Please do not request an Ofuda to use as a decoration. To properly care for the Ofuda, place the Ofuda in a Kamidana, or high on the north or west wall in your living room or workplace. If the floor above is occupied, please write the kanji for cloud (雲) and place it on the ceiling above the Ofuda/Kamidana. Offerings of rice, salt, and water should be made (The Member's Handbook has the details). One year after receiving an Ofuda, we recommend replacing it with a new one" — Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America's Instructions Link
"Installation: If you have a Kamidana, please place this Ofuda on your Kamidana, inside the Ita or Miya (small shine) if you have one. If you do not have a Kamidana please place this Ofuda in a sacred space in your home or a central place in your home. Place the Ofuda higher than eye-level and facing south or east if possible. You can take the Ofuda out of its shop bag, but please keep the translucent paper cover on the Ofuda to preserve the Ofuda’s purity. Duration: This Ofuda is your in-home connection to the Kami so it is traditional to replace it annually to strengthen and renew your connection to the Kami." — Shin Mei Spiritual Center Instructions Link
"It is common for the ofuda to face south or east, but depending on the layout of the house, any direction is acceptable as long as it is an appropriate location" — Ise Jingū Japanese Link
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You can buy supplies that are not ofuda or omamori, like an ofuda stand, miyagata, or shinki set from non-shrine vendors. However, keep in mind the money you give to obtain the items from a shrine helps support that shrine.
🔴 Location of the Ofuda on the Kamidana
Info for this section is compiled from Jinja Honcho's Japanese website; Ise Jingū's Japanese website; and Practicing Shinto For Non-Japanese by David Chart.
Order:
'Most important' or 'central' Kami/Jinja goes center or first in a stack
Ujigami Jinja goes to your right or second in a stack
Sūkei Jinja goes to your left or third in a stack
Any additional in order of importance: next to the right, then to the left, etc.
In Japan the "most important" is the Jingū Taima of Ise Grand Shrine specifically according to Jinja Honchō. Not all Shrines are a part of or agree with Jinja Honchō.
"...the center is the highest ranking [...] the sacred talisman (Jingu Taima) of Ise Jingu, the chief deity of the Japanese people, is placed in the center [...] In the case of a single-shrine Miyagata shrine, the Jingu Taima is placed at the front" — Ise Jingū Japanese Link | (for some reason a ton of the text disappeared in that link not sure why)
Outside Japan there is no statement on which is the most important.
If you live outside Japan:
The Jingū Taima ("most important") may seem irrelevant. However, instead of viewing it as solely the Ofuda of Amaterasu-Ōmikami one can see it as "oharai お祓" which are "understood to be efficacious in warding off evil," as Daijingu Temple of Hawaii still describes them for this purpose.
Ujigami Jinja ofuda may literally be impossible. Unless one is in North America and agrees with the concept that Sarutahiko-no-Ōkami can be one's Ujigami.
Ultimately, because no guidance has been issued for Kamidana outside Japan, the order of importance is unique to the individual and one may want to ask a priest for personal guidance.
🔴 Compiled Sources Links
Sources Not Used in Post
Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers by Ann Llewellyn Evan | Includes Japanese Kanji, Kana, and Furigana; Rōmaji; and English Translation — Link
Living With Kami's Reading List — Link
Sources Used in Post
Links next to quotes give the exact quote location unless it's a book in which case I gave a page number. This list compiles the sources without regard to the specific quotes.
Jinja Honchō English — Link
Jinja Honchō Japanese — Link
Ise Jingū Japanese — Link
Shin Mei Spiritual Center's Shrines: Tsubaki Dai Jinja of North America; Shin Mei Jinja; Kinomori Jinja — Link
Shinto Shrine of Shusse Inari in America — Link
Daijingu Temple of Hawaii — Link
Encyclopedia of Shinto, Kokugakuin University — Link
Older: Basic Terms of Shinto, Kokugakuin University — Link
Mediators between Kami and the People: What is the position of the Shinto priests? by Shinto Priest Hirohito Tsuji
Resurrecting the Sacred Land of Japan by John Breen in Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture.
A Year in The Life of a Shinto Shrine by John K Nelson
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