Shintoism Shinto Shrine Kami Way
Glossary Terminology

 Prayers


Whether at home or at a shrine, Shinto prayers follow a pattern. First the mouth and hands are cleansed with clean water. Then, offerings are given of food at home or coins at the shrine, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, bow deeply once more, and pray.



 Priests


The Shinto priests, who perform the rituals, are private persons (male and female) who can marry and have children. Miko in white kimonos, young unmarried ladies who are usually the priest's daughters, usually support the priests by helping them at rituals and in other tasks in the shrine.

There are several educational institutions and examinations for those who want to become priests or obtain a higher priestly grade or status.

Within the Shinto priesthood there are six grades (the Superior, the First, the Second, the Semi-Second, the Third, and the Fourth grades); and five ranks (Johkai, Meikai, Seikai, Gon-Seikai, and Chokkai).

With rare exceptions, priests must have served in shrines for more than twenty years as Shinto priests before they can be given grades above the Semi-Second.

To become a Guji, chief priest, the priest must have obtained a rank higher than Gon-Seikai for an ordinary shrine, and higher than Meikai to serve as the Guji of certain eminent shrines.



 Sacred Forest


The life of the ancient Japanese was deeply rooted in the forest. After being handed down from generation to generation, Shinto today is still a "religion of the forest" where the natural landscape, steep mountains, deep valleys, and even planted forests are sacred places where the Kami dwell.

A grove itself was considered a shrine and a sacred place for the village. Jinja shrines are surrounded by sacred groves because the Kami who live in deep valleys or on steep mountains need a place to stay for awhile when they come to visit. The people can then conduct festivals and rituals in the grace of the deity...Continue on Go back