Purification
Two major Shinto rituals are purity and pollution. The purity ritual is critical if the appeal to the Kami made by a priest or believer is to be Successful. Any person can become ritually impure in a range of different ways.
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Two major Shinto rituals are purity and pollution. The purity ritual is critical if the appeal to the Kami made by a priest or believer is to be Successful. Any person can become ritually impure in a range of different ways.
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Yutate
This ritual involves a priest dipping the branch of a sakaki tree into a cauldron of hot water. The priest then waves the branch over the heads of those who gather and says a prayer called Norito, it is then followed by a ritual dance. It is a process leading to the purification of the water. A girl or woman takes a wooden bowl and gathers the air above the cauldron inviting the kami (spirits) into it. Afterwards, the people drink from the cauldron, receiving the purified water, which allows them to be purified as well. (1) Kagura
The ancient ritual dance that has been practiced for centuries. Kagura is the thought to be a contracted form of kami no kura, which translates "seat of the kami." The ritual, then, is a way to both entertain and appease kami. Originally, the practice involved a prayer to kami, called kamigakari, but today, only choreographed. There are different forms of kagura, including the oldest and more traditional type miko kagura to shishi kagura which involves the dance of a lion mask. (5) |
The Great Purification
This ritual symbolically recreates the act of purification that lead to the birth of three deities, those three deities are Susano-o, Tsuki-Yomi and Amaterasu. It happens twice a year, once in New Year’s Festival and Beginning of summer. At the time of the ritual, the priest recites the great purification norito while waving a purification wand over the people who worship. It is said that each word of the norito have its own kami. Being precise is high value if the purification ritual is to be successful. It is said the rhythm of the prayer, to wash away the impurities within people and is the key to the event. (1) Misogi Harai
A ritual done daily at the shrines. The practice involves purifying oneself by ritual use of water while speak the prayers. Temizu is a form of misogi harai, but this ritual can also be performed by standing beneath a waterfall while saying prayers or performing ritual washing in a river or other running water. Kami Izanagi-no-Mikoto Performed misogi after returning from the land of Yomi. This act is intended to purify oneself from sins. (5) |
Omairi
Omairi is one of the main practices of Shinto faith.
The kanji of omairi has two components: the "o" part of the kanji is a prefix used to show respect while "mairi" translates roughly into participation.
Omairi, means venerable participation, and this is done best by visiting Shinto shrines. Visiting shrines is not reserved strictly for Shintoists; anyone can visit a shrine.
When visiting a shrine, there are many rituals that must be followed:
First, when approaching the entrance, one is to bow respectfully before entering.
After entering, various hand-washing basins are scattered throughout the grounds where Temizu is supposed to be performed.
Temizu is a way to show respect by cleaning oneself with water. At a shrine, one may ring the bell only earlier to prayers.
Going to shrines is a way to pay respect to kami.
(5)
Omairi is one of the main practices of Shinto faith.
The kanji of omairi has two components: the "o" part of the kanji is a prefix used to show respect while "mairi" translates roughly into participation.
Omairi, means venerable participation, and this is done best by visiting Shinto shrines. Visiting shrines is not reserved strictly for Shintoists; anyone can visit a shrine.
When visiting a shrine, there are many rituals that must be followed:
First, when approaching the entrance, one is to bow respectfully before entering.
After entering, various hand-washing basins are scattered throughout the grounds where Temizu is supposed to be performed.
Temizu is a way to show respect by cleaning oneself with water. At a shrine, one may ring the bell only earlier to prayers.
Going to shrines is a way to pay respect to kami.
(5)
Abushadi & Billy