Japanese Beliefs and Values under the Shoguns Shinto

Japanese Beliefs and Values under the Shoguns

Shinto (the way of the gods) �Based on nature and worshipping the kami (spirits) who inhabit nature. �Village communities gathered at Shinto shrines to celebrate the change of seasons and pray for good harvests. �These shrines were made of natural materials like wood and stone out of respect for nature.

Basic Shinto Beliefs �Tradition and the family. �Love of nature. �Physical cleanliness. �Religious festivals. Shinto shrine

Buddhism �Buddhism is about trying to achieve nirvana, a state free from suffering and desire. �The ‘Four Noble Truths’: 1. All life involves suffering. 2. Suffering is caused by desire. 3. Desire can be overcome. 4. The way to overcome desire is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Noble Eightfold Path

Buddhist Temples �Made from unpainted wood. Buddhist temple

Confucianism �Set of rules based on the ideas of Confucius, a Chinese scholar and teacher. �Based on filial piety which meant that children had a duty to obey and support their parents. This was also applied to the relationship between the daimyo and their samurai. �Played a role in the development of social institutions and political organisation in Japan. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. ” –Confucius.

Christianity �Portuguese missionaries introduced Christianity to Japan in the sixteenth century. �Some daimyo were converted to Christianity. �However, the military rulers became suspicious of Christianity and thought it was a trick to take over the country. They begun to persecute Japanese Christians forcing them to become ‘hidden Christians’.

Your Task Shinto religious festivals are called matsuri. They are celebrated throughout Japan today as joyful occasions. Choose one of the following festivals to research and write a brief description of the festival as well as how it demonstrates Shinto beliefs. �Gion festival in Kyoto �Kanda festival in Tokyo �Okunchi festival in Nagasaki �Tenjin festival in Osaka