Follow the Author
Helen Hardacre
Follow
Shinto: A History Illustrated Edition, Kindle Edition
by Helen Hardacre (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
Kindle
$31.81Read with Our Free App
Hardcover
$76.54
1 Used from $75.338 New from $75.33
Distinguished scholar of Japanese religions and culture Helen Hardacre offers the first comprehensive history of Shinto [?], the ancient and vibrant tradition whose colorful rituals are still practiced today. Under the ideal of Shinto, a divinely descended emperor governs through rituals offered to deities called Kami. These rituals are practiced in innumerable shrines across the realm, so that local rites mirror the monarch's ceremonies. Through this theatre of state, it is thought, the human, natural, and supernatural worlds will align in harmony and prosper.
Often called "the indigenous religion of Japan," Shinto's institutions, rituals, and symbols are omnipresent throughout the island nation. But, perhaps surprisingly, both its religiosity and its Japanese origins have been questioned. Hardacre investigates the claims about Shinto as the embodiment of indigenous tradition, and about its rightful place in the public realm.
Shinto has often been represented in the West as the engine that drove Japanese military aggression. To this day, it is considered provocative for members of the government to visit the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, which honors the Japanese war dead, and this features as a source of strain in Japan's relations with China and Korea.
The Yasukuni Shrine is a debated issue in Japanese national politics and foreign relations and reliably attracts intensive media coverage.
Hardacre contends, controversially, that it was the Allied Occupation that created this stereotype of Shinto as the religion of war, when in fact virtually all branches of Japanese religions were cheerleaders for the war and imperialism.
The history and nature of Shinto are subjects of vital importance for understanding contemporary Japan, its politics, its international relations, and its society. Hardacre's magisterial work will stand as the definitive reference for years to come.
The history and nature of Shinto are subjects of vital importance for understanding contemporary Japan, its politics, its international relations, and its society. Hardacre's magisterial work will stand as the definitive reference for years to come.
Oxford University Press
Product description
Review
"This brilliant study written in close dialogue with the most recent critical scholarship both in Japanese and English is a welcome addition to the existing literature on Shint=o history, a source of valuable teaching material, and more in general a must-read for all those interested in Shint=o and its interactions with society throughout Japanese history." -- Ugo Dessì, Cardiff University, Religious Studies Review
"Her portrayal of the history of Shinto is based on decades of her own research, and undoubtedly this work will occupy the rank of a standard work for a long time, both for students and specialists in the field. Shinto research will benefit greatly as a whole. After the turning point marked by the revolutionary approach of Kuroda Toshio, international research on Shinto has since then led to a sometimes ideological dogmatization of what might be said and not. Helen Hardacre's book gives a fresh breath to the debate, which can only deepen our further understanding of the still-puzzling topic of Shinto." -- Klaus Antoni, University of Tübingen, The Journal of Religion
"Shinto: A History is a well written and interesting book, worth the time of readers with an interest in Shinto or Japanese history in general." -- Kenneth J. Valencich, Reading Religion
"This brilliant study... is a welcome addition... a source of valuable teaching material, and more in general a must-read" -- Ugo Dessi, Religious Studies Review
"Her portrayal of the history of Shinto is based on decades of her own research, and undoubtedly this work will occupy the rank of a standard work for a long time, both for students and specialists in the field. Shinto research will benefit greatly as a whole. After the turning point marked by the revolutionary approach of Kuroda Toshio, international research on Shinto has since then led to a sometimes ideological dogmatization of what might be said and not. Helen Hardacre's book gives a fresh breath to the debate, which can only deepen our further understanding of the still-puzzling topic of Shinto." --Klaus Antoni, Journal of Religion
"Hardacre's achievement in this work will be hard to supersede. This book could be used in all kind of courses, from introductory or advanced undergraduate to graduate seminars, not only on Japanese religions but Japanese culture in general and even on comparative subjects. Students will benefit from the comprehensive and in-depth narration, while the book provides ample clues and opportunities for additional research and revisions. Shinto: A History, which in its comprehensive and encyclopedia nature does not even have a counterpart in Japanese, is a scholarly milestone that will orient for years the study of Shinto and Japanese religions as a whole."--Fabio Rambelli, Journal of Religion in Japan
"At nearly seven hundred pages, it is difficult to think of any adjective other than 'magisterial' to describe Hardacre's new survey on Shinto As the single most comprehensive book on Shinto, Hardacre's book is a must-read her focus on the problems of indigeneity and the public/private distinction moves the field forward considerably."--Jolyon B. Thomas, H-Net Reviews
"This work has been long anticipated. The culmination of a lifetime's dedication to the study of Japanese religions by a major scholar in the field, Shinto: A History is both authoritative and comprehensive. Professor Hardacre manages to lead us carefully and judiciously on a long journey through what can often be recalcitrant, complex material. The notoriously difficult question 'What is Shinto?' has finally been answered." --Richard Bowring, Professor Emeritus, Japanese Studies, University of Cambridge
"Shinto: A History is a milestone work for the study of Shinto. Hardacre provides a comprehensive vision to integrate the usually unrelated research on Shinto in the West and in Japan. Calling into question our conventional wisdom about Shinto, the author masterfully demonstrates that Shinto is a heterogeneous tradition that changed with time, and it encompasses not only shrine Shinto and state Shinto but also popular cultural practices including public festivals seemingly unconstrained by the Japanese emperor system." --Jun'ichi Isomae, Study of Religions, Research Department, International Research Center for Japanese Studies
"Hardacre's study is particularly useful for understanding the religious resources that the Japanese people drew on to build and maintain their local communities. Her subject is their worship of spirits. She argues that spirit worship emerged in earliest times at the core of nativist (Shinto) beliefs. This leads her to investigate in chronological sequence Shinto debates, rituals, and the practices of its priesthood in which the emperor was the chief priest. The result is a very rich, comprehensive account." --Herbert P. Bix, Professor of History, Binghamton University
"Hardacre, a professor of Japanese religions and society at Harvard, surveys the history of Shinto from ancient Japan to the present in this even-handed and detailed treatment of the topic. Few single-volume histories are this comprehensive... this will serve as a valuable primer for college classes, or for those simply interested in Shinto, and it will be sure to stand as the definitive factual treatment for years to come."--Publishers Weekly
--This text refers to the hardcover edition.
Publisher : Oxford University Press; Illustrated edition (1 November 2016)
Print length : 698 pages
==
Customer Reviews:
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
=
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 12Page 1 of 12
Previous page
The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart
Motohisa Yamakage
4.7 out of 5 stars 205
Kindle Edition
$17.09$17.09
Shinto the Kami Way
Sokyo Ono
4.6 out of 5 stars 402
Kindle Edition
$14.07$14.07
Shinto - The Way of the Gods: Introduction to the Traditional Religion of Japan
Vincent Miller
4.4 out of 5 stars 94
Kindle Edition
$4.52$4.52
A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine
John K. Nelson
4.5 out of 5 stars 26
Kindle Edition
$23.98$23.98
Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers
Ann Llewellyn Evans
4.5 out of 5 stars 99
Kindle Edition
$6.59$6.59
Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan’s Ancient Religion
Joseph Cali
4.8 out of 5 stars 26
Kindle Edition
$26.21$26.21
The Kojiki: An Account of Ancient Matters (Translations from the Asian Classics)
Yasumaro Ō
4.3 out of 5 stars 73
Kindle Edition
Customer reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
=====
Top reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews to English
John L. Piper
5.0 out of 5 stars Shinto & BuddhismReviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2020
Verified Purchase
I have been fascinated with Shinto since the mid 1970's when I spent a period living in Kashima Village a stones throw from the shrine and studying swordsmanship literally in the shadow of the jingu, being taught by Yoshikawa sensei whose family had been diviners and shrine protector's since the shrines beginnings, or before shrine was first built according to family traditions. Paying respect at the jingu early each morning when it was quiet & empty was a memorable experience and had a great effect on me.
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 ratings
=
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 12Page 1 of 12
Previous page
The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart
Motohisa Yamakage
4.7 out of 5 stars 205
Kindle Edition
$17.09$17.09
Shinto the Kami Way
Sokyo Ono
4.6 out of 5 stars 402
Kindle Edition
$14.07$14.07
Shinto - The Way of the Gods: Introduction to the Traditional Religion of Japan
Vincent Miller
4.4 out of 5 stars 94
Kindle Edition
$4.52$4.52
A Year in the Life of a Shinto Shrine
John K. Nelson
4.5 out of 5 stars 26
Kindle Edition
$23.98$23.98
Shinto Norito: A Book of Prayers
Ann Llewellyn Evans
4.5 out of 5 stars 99
Kindle Edition
$6.59$6.59
Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan’s Ancient Religion
Joseph Cali
4.8 out of 5 stars 26
Kindle Edition
$26.21$26.21
The Kojiki: An Account of Ancient Matters (Translations from the Asian Classics)
Yasumaro Ō
4.3 out of 5 stars 73
Kindle Edition
Customer reviews
4.9 out of 5 stars
=====
Top reviews from other countries
Translate all reviews to English
John L. Piper
5.0 out of 5 stars Shinto & BuddhismReviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 July 2020
Verified Purchase
I have been fascinated with Shinto since the mid 1970's when I spent a period living in Kashima Village a stones throw from the shrine and studying swordsmanship literally in the shadow of the jingu, being taught by Yoshikawa sensei whose family had been diviners and shrine protector's since the shrines beginnings, or before shrine was first built according to family traditions. Paying respect at the jingu early each morning when it was quiet & empty was a memorable experience and had a great effect on me.
Till reading this book I had always blindly accepted the usual statement of Shinto being the pure native 'faith of Japan', most shrine buildings obviously were strongly influenced by Buddhist architecture but I had never really considered the ethos of Shinto except in the terms of a pure, indigenous faith.
This publication has really opened my eyes, in a way the dual nature of Shinto has if anything strengthened it and as the Japanese do not see things as 'black or white' but seemingly as myriad shades of grey it has made it easier for Shinto & Buddhism to co-exist except when Shinto came to be used for political & nationalist reasons in the Meiji period.
So putting aside personal sentimental & spiritual reasons for my love of Shinto I can recommend this work to anyone who has a genuine, serious and open minded interest in the 'religions' of Japan - an obviously well researched volume, lots of paper for your money and hopefully a guide to future research, I would love to see an English language work on the history of the Kashima & Katori Jingu!
Read less
2 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Chris Winwood
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a phenomenally useful book. Giving in depth analysis of various aspect ...Reviewed in Canada on 26 January 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a phenomenally useful book. Giving in depth analysis of various aspect of Shinto as well as arguing various points that may not have been well argued in previous literature. It also links Shinto with Japanese history and its impact on these specific periods of time enabling a deep understanding of how Shinto has impacted the development of Japan as a nation.
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
Rini
5.0 out of 5 stars Academic GodsendReviewed in the United States on 10 May 2017
Verified Purchase
This book is not really for the novice nor for the contemporary Shinto acolyte. Hardacre traces the development of Shinto from a more political and academic aspect than any spiritual discussion. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise considering her previous book was about State Shinto, and, in this book, she more or less pulls together the development of State Shinto from Shinto's pre-"Shinto" beginnings (This is a debatable point, which is why I said it like that).
She also discusses the structure of Shinto religion and a lot of technical information on shrine building and development, but for someone like me who is more interested in the development of "Modern Shinto" from the nascent writing in the 7th-8th C, it was a great read. She does discuss other historians and their take on Shinto, and, oddly, she spends very little time on actual discussion on what nationalism is, but, again, I suspect it is because she already expects the reader to have some background in the historical and historiographical discussions about "Shinto" and its involvement with Buddhism, politics, and the shift in Japanese mindset in the mid- to late-19th C.
People who dive into this without much historical background are likely to be overwhelmed by most of the rhetoric, although I have to hand it to Hardacre, her writing style is less bland than most writing in history. Her chapters around 1853 through 1952 (Black Ships through official end of US Occupation) were great from a historical point of view. Again, unsurprising considering her strengths. She writes right into the Heisei (now), but I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed at her lackluster discussion of it at the end, especially given the developments in Japan over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and their love of State Shinto, especially since the 1980s. I would like to see more movement into Abe's administration.
Again, her discussion of nationalism, bolstered by briefly mentioning scholars like Walter Skya, was rather lacking in such an ambitious book. But I give it 5 stars because, as a developing academic in Japanese/Shinto History, I loved this book.It was an in-depth read that I always wanted on the topic, warts and all.
In other words, for this book, it is better to have some knowledge of other writers in this area. She does take from well-known scholars in Shinto, such as DC Holtom and John Breen, but I'm not sure I would have got as much out of this without a long bibliographical reading list to back me up. She did lead me to Japan's Holy War: The Ideology of Radical Shinto Ultranationalism (Asia-Pacific: Culture, Politics, and Society) , which is an interesting look at Japanese Nationalism. Regardless, this is for scholars more than the public. Great book!
Read less
12 people found this helpfulReport abuse
People who dive into this without much historical background are likely to be overwhelmed by most of the rhetoric, although I have to hand it to Hardacre, her writing style is less bland than most writing in history. Her chapters around 1853 through 1952 (Black Ships through official end of US Occupation) were great from a historical point of view. Again, unsurprising considering her strengths. She writes right into the Heisei (now), but I have to admit I was somewhat disappointed at her lackluster discussion of it at the end, especially given the developments in Japan over the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and their love of State Shinto, especially since the 1980s. I would like to see more movement into Abe's administration.
Again, her discussion of nationalism, bolstered by briefly mentioning scholars like Walter Skya, was rather lacking in such an ambitious book. But I give it 5 stars because, as a developing academic in Japanese/Shinto History, I loved this book.It was an in-depth read that I always wanted on the topic, warts and all.
In other words, for this book, it is better to have some knowledge of other writers in this area. She does take from well-known scholars in Shinto, such as DC Holtom and John Breen, but I'm not sure I would have got as much out of this without a long bibliographical reading list to back me up. She did lead me to Japan's Holy War: The Ideology of Radical Shinto Ultranationalism (Asia-Pacific: Culture, Politics, and Society) , which is an interesting look at Japanese Nationalism. Regardless, this is for scholars more than the public. Great book!
Read less
12 people found this helpfulReport abuse
===
===
Canon
658 reviews
68 followers
Follow
May 11, 2023
"Later on, a variety of new institutional combinations emerged... in response to a desire to discover how the Kami and Buddhist figures were related. The search for correspondences and connections led to institutions that — in effect — amalgamated worship of Kami and Buddhas," (97).
While looking for a book about Shinto, I had basically four desiderata:
1. A scholarly work that considers how "Shinto" has been historically constructed and contested, rather than regarding Shinto as a fixed system of doctrines or a unitary tradition.
2. Relatedly, a work that describes Shinto practices and beliefs rather than being a confessional or prescriptive work exhorting readers into "the Kami Way."
3. A work that will not only consider philosophical and religious texts, but other media and arts in its study of the history of Shinto.
4. A work that, as part of its scholarly lens, takes account of the various schools of thought or areas of debate in Shinto studies, and gives the reader a lay of the land.
This book checks off each requirement.
Hardacre, the Reischauer Institute Professor of Japanese Religions and Society at Harvard, organizes her study of Shinto around two thematic dichotomies: the rhetoric of Shinto as "indigenous" versus "foreign" influences (e.g., Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, the West) and public space versus private space.
She shows how the poles of these two dichotomies have been shifting and unstable throughout the history of Shinto, from different depictions of what counts as “foreign” in the Kojiki and Nihon shoki to debates about religion and "the public good" in Japan in the 21st century, including Shinto’s institutional connections to conservative and reactionary political agendas. It concludes with a couple of case studies on how Kami are depicted in popular culture in Japan, including Princess Mononoke.
On the thorny question of the origins of Shinto, Hardacre argues that, although the term "Shinto" was not used at the time, its beginnings can be traced to the annual calendar of Kami rituals established by the Jingiryō law code in the 8th century, and the branch of government called the Jingikan or "Ministry of Divinities" that was created under the ritsuryō government to oversee the administration of Kami-related affairs at the imperial court and throughout the provinces. Hardacre then traces the various ligaments of tradition, family resemblances and paradigm shifts, through the centuries.
Some of the most intriguing Shinto intellectuals Hardacre discusses include Yoshida Kanetomo (1435-1511), who reversed the classic honji-suijaku framework, making the Kami rather than Buddhas fundamental; Kurozumi Munetada (1780-1850), leader of a Shinto-derived new religious order; and Motoori Norinaga (1730-1801) and Hirata Atsutane (1776-1843), both Kokugaku or "nativist" thinkers in the Edo period.
Norinaga's reading of The Tale of Genji as beyond moral rationality was particularly interesting, and Atsutane's theory of the afterlife as an invisible yet present realm was one of the most engaging parts of the book. I also really enjoyed the sections on religious pilgrimages and how Shinto practices gave rise to and were expressed in various arts, included dramatic performance and visual arts.
The book is organized chronologically in groups of chapters around the ancient period, the medieval period, the Edo period, the Meiji state and Imperial Japan, and post-1945 Japan to the contemporary era. It reads like and is probably used as a textbook, but in a way I appreciated: well-organized with plenty of subheadings, tables distilling information, and helpful images. I only wish the main table of contents had included the subheadings to more easily pinpoint specific sections.
Anyhow, if you're interested in learning about Shinto, I feel like (and I say this as a complete and utter layperson) this is the book to read.
history
japan
religious-studies
9 likes
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Kusaimamekirai.
Kusaimamekirai
658 reviews
217 followers
Follow
July 6, 2017
Stretching from the earliest of creation myths up to the present day, this is as comprehensive study of Shinto as you’re likely to find. Examined from a wide spectrum of perspectives such as political, social, religious, gender, and others, I am in awe of Hardacre’s scholarship and her dedication in putting this book together.
All that being said, this is a scholarly text. While highly readable, there are a dizzying array of names, histories, and theories that seem overwhelming at times for someone like me with very little grounding in the subject. She presumes some basic knowledge of Shinto on the part of the reader and doesn’t spend an excessive amount of time in any one ares.
Personally, I felt she struck just the right balance between thoroughness and getting bogged down on any particular aspect. Of particular interest to me were the chapters following the Edo period and how Shinto went from something that in its earliest incarnations coexisted in harmony with Buddhism and other religions to something that was used by men of varying motives to promote nationalism to the exclusion of other beliefs.
In totality, what emerges is a belief system that has undergone multiple incarnations and despite an aging population, financial issues, and declining interest in “religion” on the whole, remains a vital part of many communities and the national identity.
7 likes
4 comments
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Charlie Canning.
Charlie Canning
Author
12 books
11 followers
Follow
April 10, 2018
The State of Shinto
When it comes to writing history, the use of chronology as an organizing principle may seem like an inevitable choice. An historian may have to account for something that is thousands of years old. What better place to start than at the beginning?
In the case of Helen Hardacre's Shinto: A History, however, I'm not so sure. This is because what constitutes Shinto and separates it from other religions (if Shinto was a religion) was not properly formulated until after the arrival of Buddhism and Confucianism. Even then, any proper analysis was / is murky due to the syncretism of Shinto, Buddhism and Confucianism throughout Japanese history.
Beyond writing this review, my primary motivation in reading Hardacre's study was to understand how Shinto works. Although Hardacre did get there eventually, the largest part of Shinto: A History consists of an incredibly detailed account of the institutional / bureaucratic manifestations of Shinto from the Council of Divinities (Jingikan) in the seventh century to present day Heisei.
The clearest and most complete exposition of what Shinto is and how it operates in Japanese society is to be found roughly halfway through the book in a section on Shinto theologian Hirata Atsutane (1776-1843). Atsutane built on earlier Kokugaku (National Learning) thought that posited that the Emperor was at the head of the Kami and that the Kami were subjected to him in the same way that the subjects of the realm were. Atsutane's genius was in integrating ancestor worship and the simultaneous presence of spirits in the spiritual realm and the manifest world. (339) When combined with prayers at shrines and household kamidana, "The effect is to bind the worshipper into a hierarchy of Kami stretching from the emperor and the highest Kami down to the ancestors, from the beginning of time to the present, creating an image of a single community, including the ancestral Kami, united through worship of the Kami." (342) Ancestor worship is a lineage-based system – a bloodline, if you will – with the Kami as its source. The Emperor is a living Kami and all Japanese both alive and dead are related to this main line of transmission.
It is interesting to note that up until the death and resurrection of Christ, both Judaism and early Christianity were lineage based. Jesus was a direct descendent of King David. The passing of the baton to the Apostles rather than to an heir (Dan Brown notwithstanding) revolutionized the transmission system in the West. By making the Holy Spirit available to lowly fisherman, tax collectors, and Gentiles, Christ shifted the power structure from a bloodline or lineage-based system to a spirit system available to all.
As Hardacre makes clear, Shinto was predominantly a closed system expressly formulated to reflect Japanese circumstances. Although various Shinto theologians did attempt to fashion Shinto into a complete world view so that it could stand up to Buddhism and Confucianism, Shinto was never meant to explain how things worked outside of Japan. To put it another way, I can be a Buddhist or Confucian in my home state of Maine. But no matter how many times I climb Mt. Katahdin or worship our governor, I cannot practice Shinto there.
In the final third of Shinto: A History, Hardacre takes issue with the characterization of State Shinto as being largely responsible for the rise of Imperial Japan and its conduct during the Pacific War (1931-1945). Although a case could be made for Shinto being used to instill notions of patriotism and sacrifice among the populace, Hardacre writes that: "The Occupation view of Shinto in relation to militarism or nationalism was, however, unbalanced and distorted . . . virtually all other branches of Japanese religions up to 1945 similarly devoted themselves to prayers for military victory, exaltation of the martial spirit, and justification of Japan's supposed mission to rule all of Asia." (444)
The surprising thing to me is not that Buddhism was involved in the war effort – after all the Catholic Church gave Hitler the green light – but that a military man like Douglas MacArthur and his cohorts at SCAP understood Shinto almost as well as Hirata Atsutane did.
Those who see religion as a myth-based code of values subject to rational analysis fail to understand its true nature. Any religion worthy of its name is nothing more than a power structure designed to attract and deliver power to the spiritual entity that it serves. It does this by eliciting a pledge of devotion during a person’s lifetime. Once the pledge has been given, the die is cast and the soul is in thrall to whatever spiritual force it has given its allegiance to.
From his time in the Philippines, MacArthur understood that a Japanese soldier in service to the Emperor could not be defeated short of annihilation because of the way Imperial Japan was configured. Each individual soldier was part of something stretching backwards and forwards in time that crossed the boundary between the living and the dead. State Shinto had tapped into the local power supply at every village shrine and hamlet and added it to the grid. The only way to ultimately defeat something like this was to dismantle it.
Fortunately, what is true for Shinto's negatives (how it might be utilized for militarism) is also true for its positives (how it might be utilized for community). In a chapter called "Shrine Festivals and Their Changing Place in the Public Sphere" Hardacre shows us that Shinto festivals are very much a part of contemporary Japan. While visits to Yasukuni Shrine and the separation of church and state remain controversial, the vast majority of Shinto observances and rituals are peaceful and life affirming. State Shinto may be gone, but the Kami are very much with us.
From the review published in Kyoto Journal 90.
Show more
2 likes
Like
Comment
Jerrod
386 reviews
10 followers
Follow
April 8, 2020
I hate to abandon books like this. Usually, dry, academic writing doesn't bother me, but this is just an info dump without much unifying structure or attempt at story-telling. There were many instances where I found myself thinking that I would read 150 pages about a subject that Hardacre spent one paragraph on, but overall I would not recommend this. The competition between shrines and temples was most interesting but was the topic that had the least in depth treatment. I would have read an entire chapter on licensure and certification. Perhaps if this had been organized by topic rather than chronologically, it would have been more interesting.
I think it is becoming clearer to me that broad, sweeping histories are usually not done well. For a good example of religious history, read Eire's Reformations.
Notes:
- practice of commendation became prominent in the 11th century, where a local proprietor would "commend" a parcel of land to a shrine (which made that parcel immune from taxation) and that proprietor would usually continue as caretaker of that land.
- by the late Heian period, Buddhism had become dominant among the court and aristocracy
- centralized administration of shrines dissolved during the medieval period
- during the medieval period Shinto/non-Buddhist practices began to develop rituals and philosophies that gradually became less subordinate to buddhism - Kami and Buddhist deities developed from being seen as somewhat natural forces to enforcers of moral principles
- undergoing religious rites essentially bestowed a credential on priest, allowing them more knowledge and more authority in their practice at local shrines (making them stronger competitors in relation to nearby shrines)
- throughout the history of Shinto (particularly through the medieval period), genealogies that included various deities were highly desirable to various elites
- Watarai Shinto (developing in 1256) began to relativize Buddhism and integrate non-Buddhist texts- by the early 13th century, temple-shrine complexes had become the largest landowners in the country (e.g. Enryakuji had more than 3800 buildings in 20 sq. km. with 3000 priest in residence and had at least 370 branches across the country)
- Shinto during the medieval developed from focusing mostly as a royal/sovereign collection of beliefs and rites that had a more public practice to one of performing private ritual and transmitting "secret" knowledge- most divinities worshipped in rear and underground chambers of medieval shrines are not found in the Kojiki or Nihon shoki
- sacred dance and music developed into entertainment. in the 13th century there were complaints that jinin (shrine personnel) taking the miko to perform at private parties involving alcohol and vulgar dancing (this lead in some cases to the jinin's houses being destroyed in addition to them losing their position at the shrine
- shrine paintings that were made for aristocrats were also copied in inexpensive form and used by itinerant religious proselytizers to attract crowds. The public explanations of the pictures helped pilgrims find their way through a complicated site or to explain doctrine
- in the 13th century, religious institutions were able to successfully protests some decisions by the royal court through the court's fear of divine retribution
- in the mid- to late-15th century Yoshida Kanetomo became a prominent religious official supporting a view the Japan was not a peripheral sphere in cosmogonical terms, but central. He pushed for state support of Shinto
- in the 14th century (due to the lack of tribute coming from imperial court) the Ise shrines became dependent on nearby peasants, so they had to offer commercialized ritual services that met the locals religious needs and desires
- Kanetomo issued certificates raising ranks (requests for certificates came with lavish gifts the provided Kanetomo a handsome income) to individuals or individual shrines, instead of to all shrines or groups of shrines
- Kanetomo began conducting esoteric transmissions to outside couriers, warriors, and Buddhist monks, usually in conjunction with soliciting patronage and official recognition
- In 1449, the Outer Shrine at Ise blockaded the road to the Inner Shrine leading to a cycle of attacks through 1489
- Kanetomo's authority was not necessarily accepted beyond the capital and the major shrines
- In the medieval period, regional priestly associations formed around an area's most powerful shrine, with the head priest determining ranks, titles, and vestments that subordinates could use
- The Yoshida house began issuing indulgences which undermined the authority regional associations
2020
history
nonfiction
...more
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Matthew Gurteen.
Matthew Gurteen
420 reviews
6 followers
Follow
April 17, 2021
A pervasive and formal history of Japan's 'native' religion. I enjoyed reading about the origins of Shinto from the ancient period to modern media's approach to the Kami and worship. Shinto: A History is an incredibly well-research academic text, although I certainly felt like I was in over my head with a lot of it. This is not a book for someone who knows nothing about Shinto, nor is it for someone who, like me, has some knowledge of the religion but is mostly uninformed. Instead, only someone well-versed in Shinto history will be able to appreciate this text fully. Hardacre could have made it more approachable for the everyday reader. Ultimately this was not her intention, however, so I can't judge the book for that. For anyone who is going to read it, know that it is a heavily academic text. I have a similar background, but I struggled with how the information is presented in this book. The inclusion of illustrations from the author's own collection did help explain points, but there are not many of them.
Although, for the most part, it was well-written, some passages were repetitive and had odd-word choices, possible due to translation. I did not appreciate Hardacre repeatedly calling the more impoverished people of Japan from all periods 'commoners.' Again, maybe this was an aspect of translation. It felt condescending and out of place in an otherwise modern formal text, however.
Overall, as I said above, I could only really recommend this book to someone who is incredibly interested in Shinto and/or has a background researching it. I enjoyed reading it, and I am glad to have it on my shelves. I cannot see myself referring back to it in the future, however.
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Nicolette.
Nicolette
179 reviews
31 followers
Follow
November 30, 2017
I think "slog" is the right word for this, but remove any negative connotation because it's one of the most comprehensive, detailed, and thorough books on Shinto I've ever read. It will take you through each dynasty in detail, along with rich descriptions of that period of time, the current socioeconomic and political climate, and of course how Shinto was evolving as a spiritual set of rituals, and as a "religion." Words like "religion" "spiritual" "State religion" are all contextualized for the place and time, and also against the creation myths associated with them that bring color to history. It's complicated relationship and interplay with Buddhism is explored as well. We see Shinto's context in a rural sense, governed by nature, and what happens when man places its hands on it to exert influence and rule. The details of the rituals were rich and multi-faceted, and the illustrations were extremely appreciated though, reading a hardcover edition, the tables were a little frustrating only because turning the heavy book sort of took me out of the experience a bit.
Summarily, this is something I want on my shelf. The bibliography and footnotes would keep me occupied for days, and there are definitely more primary resources to explore.
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Amanda.
Amanda
117 reviews
Follow
February 8, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It gives a good overview of the Shinto religion and its role in history, although I should state that it does not go into as much detail on the topics as I wish it would have liked (but for the length of the book, it does an effective job of explaining the basics). The way the different topics are organized and the way each is presented and written are well done. It is not an in-depth look at the Shinto religion itself, but it is a great book to introduce historical significance and related issues. I would recommend it for people interested in the topic, but not for people outside of academia. I could see this book as a good textbook for an introductory course on Shinto as it does have well-written sections that could be assigned as readings that match up with important topics.
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Christopher.
Christopher
Author
2 books
90 followers
Follow
July 19, 2017
Extremely detailed and thorough. Very much on the topic of an institutional and cultural history. Be warned it is a bit of a slog but a rewarding one.
nonfiction
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Shaitanah.
Shaitanah
277 reviews
29 followers
Follow
May 28, 2021
Incredibly informative and quite absorbing, though the style is a little too academic for my taste.
Like
Comment
Profile Image for Ashley.
Ashley
94 reviews
Follow
December 27, 2022
A really deep look at the history of Shinto. Another one of my "long reads". Maybe it'll be this time next year before I finish it!
Like
Comment
Joe Wang
1 review
Follow
June 18, 2023
A very good history of Japanese Shinto and Helen Hardacre is a real specialist in this area.
Like
Comment
Raymond Paquette
900 reviews
Follow
February 24, 2023
My friend mentioned some of the stories mentioned in the book. How Ninigi chose the beautiful woman to be his bride after he descended and rejected the ugly sister. In doing so he also rejected immortality for death. I had never heard that one before. In addition I’ve always thought Japan was quite matrilineal, with the woman having more power, but followed a patrilineal culture. Its roots may go back to the 7th and 8th century, or it may not. That’s the fun part of history. It can mean anything you want it too. I’ve lived here a while and the amount of stories I don’t know but still see flavoring the culture today is exciting to explore.
The first four chapters dictate the rise of early Shinto and its association with Buddhism. Compared to the sophistication of Buddhism Shinto seemed simple and associated with the popular movements of the time. It never disappeared from the Japanese perspective and could cause profound damage if disrespected. Or so was believed. It never became as important as Buddhism but it was always necessary.
As I get closer to the end of the book I think I can recognize that the idea of Shinto became more important than the practice itself. The Japanese government tried to classify it as a cultural necessity not a religion. As long as you worshiped at the shrines you were welcome to hold another religion, provided it didn`t interfere with Shinto. Even today many say they are born Shinto and the die Buddhist.
Today I have been to many shrines and while they are quite beautiful they are never busy. As a religion Shinto doesn’t really stand out and has a negative association with the government but its quietness is exactly what makes it so unique and interesting.
=====
vii
CONTENT S
Acknowledgments ix
Notes for the Reader xiii
Introduction 1
1. Shinto in the Ancient Period 17
2. The Kami in Myth 47
3. The Coalescence of Early Shinto 71
4. Shinto during the Middle and Late Heian Period, Tenth through Twelfth Centuries 109
5. The Esotericization of Medieval Shinto 147
6. Medieval Shinto and the Arts 177
7. The Late Medieval Period 207
8. Early Edo-Period Shinto Thought and Institutions 235
9. Edo-Period Shrine Life and Shrine Pilgrimage 263
10. Shinto and Revelation 299
11. Shinto and Kokugaku 323
12. Shinto and the Meiji State 355
13. Shinto and Imperial Japan 403
14. Shinto from 1945 through 1989 441
15. Shrine Festivals and Their Changing Place in the Public Sphere 475
16. Heisei Shinto 509
Appendix: Shrine Funding 551 Selected List of Characters 557 Chronology 573
Abbreviations 587
Notes 589
Bibliography 659
Index 681
