Pagan, Shinto & Spiritual Book Reviews October 2016

Last updated on: February 7, 2018 at 5:03 pm by Megan Manson

Pagan, Shinto & Spiritual Book Reviews October 2016 2018-02-07T17:03:22+00:00 Megan Manson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

John Breen and Mark Teeuwen, A New History of Shinto

(Wiley-Blackwell, 2009)

This book does for Shinto what Ronald Hutton regularly does for Paganism and witchcraft: it re-examines common assumptions about Shinto and takes them apart, backed up with historical research. In particular, A New History of Shinto sets out to challenge the prevailing assumption that Shinto is an enduring set of beliefs, rituals and philosophies that have existed in Japan since ancient times, by taking the examples of a specific Shinto shrine, myth and ritual that have indeed shown considerable change through the ages.

The overarching message of A New History of Shinto is that Shinto has been shaped, and continues to be shaped, by politics. This is evidenced, for example, in the changing nature of the famous “rock cave” myth from the Kojiki and Nihonshoki, and the controversy surrounding the Emperor’s daijōsai rite of enthronment, in which he communes with the solar kami Amaterasu.

For me, the most fascinating sections were on the rock cave myth and the final chapter exposing the considerable power wielded by Jinja Honchō, a.k.a the Association of Shinto Shrines. This chapter in particular is an eye-opener and definitely recommended reading for those interested in the political complexity, and many controversies, surrounding Shinto.

I do not recommend A New History of Shinto for those reading about Shinto for the first time. This is not a comprehensive account of Shinto’s history, which beginners are probably looking for. It deliberately selects key aspects of Shinto history in order to analyse their particular development, rather than taking a broader view. Additionally, this book focuses mainly on what would usually be termed “shrine Shinto”; other forms of Shinto, such as the more folksy Shinto practised by ordinary people rather than the elite, is given little attention. Readers should also note that this can be a rather heavy-going book and it is a little dry at times; it is written primarily for an academic, rather than general, audience.

But for those who already know the basics of Shinto, and suspect that some commonly-held and oft-repeated beliefs about Shinto need to be questioned, will find A New History of Shinto well-researched, well-analysed and enlightening.

Go back Continue Reading

Previous Post

October 22, 2016

The Grim Reaper and The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Next Post

November 6, 2016 A Tribute to Pocahontas

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Art, Craft & Expression Musings & Miscellaneous Nature & Science News & Reviews Ritual & Festivals Secularism, Politics & Human Rights Shinto & Japanese Religion Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who was Paul's mentor mentioned in his letters to Timothy?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Silas Onesimus Phoebe Lois