The way of the gods

There are many 'gods' (or 'kami') in Japan. Millions of them. And they can appear anywhere. We've been posting entries recently about the religious context in which we find ourselves. Shinto is the traditional 'religion' of Japan. Perhaps more than a religion, it is a set of customs and rites; a way of life; traditions and ceremonies to be followed by Japanese people. Shinto literally means the way of the gods. While Buddhist priests deal with funerals and anything associated with death and the afterlife, Shinto is all about life in the here and now. There are ceremonies connected to birth, childhood, adulthood, marriage, land and buildings to name just a few. It is common all over Japan to see Shinto shrines, often with a 'torii', the distinctive entrance gate. The summer months in particular see many festivals connected to the local shrine and often the local deity is paraded round the streets on one special day in the year. Here in Hiragishi we see the marks of Shinto too. There is a park near us with an old 'torii' and prominent shrine. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens . Many Japanese would say they are not religious but most would abide by some or all of the traditional 'ways' handed down through the generations. Jesus said that he is the way to God. The challenge is to share that message in this context, building on the contact points (of which there are many) and pointing the people of Japan to the way that truly does lead to life.