gods are japanese for spirits and are associated with shintoism.
japanese for spirits these are associated with shintoism?
gods
the distinctive and particular architecture and design of the japanese tea garden is influenced by various aspects of japanese culture and, more specifically, japanese religion. the most prominent of these being the ancient japanese religion of shintoism. the significance of various elements in the garden can be attributed to the fundamental principles and characteristics of shintoism, buddhism, and even taoism. all of these religions have a large emphasis on the importance of nature, and the importance of being one with nature. the placement of rocks, the way the water flows, the route of the paths, the placement of the trees, everything has to be done in such a way that promotes a natural flow, as emphasized in taoism. in shintoism, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors, and spirits of the gods themselves, are manifested in nature. these spirits are called kami, and these kami are what determine the fortune of those living on earth. the garden is designed so as to promote the happiness of these spirits, and to properly coexist with them. cleanliness is also greatly emphasized in shintoism, which can also be noticed in the structure of the park, the park is not meant to appear crowded or difficult to navigate. in addition, the waterfall found in the garden is symbolic to the fact that cleansing of bad spirits by waterfall is considered the purest way to cleanse oneself in shintoism. though the design is meant to convey many different elements of nature, flow, and zen, all fundamentals in buddhism, it is done simply.
japanese tea garden (san francisco)
religion, as practiced in japan today, includes shintoism (83.9%), buddhism (71.4%), christianity (2%), and other (7.8%). total adherence exceeds 100% because many identify with both shintoism and buddhism. shinto shrines, honoring gods and goddesses of ancient japanese mythology, decorate the landscape of japan. shintoism is based on earlier animistic and shamanistic traditions, and contains many concepts crucial to daily japanese life today including cleanliness of the body and home. shintoism was for a long time considered the "people's religion" while buddhism was adopted originally by the elite. fundamental to zen buddhism are values such as personal effort, personal sacrifice, dedication, exertion, attunement to the body as well as meditation centered upon daily activities such as tea drinking, flower arrangement, and gardening. confucian philosophical traditions, while not specifically religious, are also embedded within japanese culture. the five essential relationships according to this philosophy are father-son, ruler-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, and between friends. clearly this system leaves out woman-centered relationships (e.g. mother-daughter).
childbirth in japan