Shintō religion has been in Japan since ancient times. During the Meiji area it became instituted as state religion. At its roots are a diffuse systems of beliefs which developed over time with multiple goods (kami). The power of these gods resided in waterfalls, rocks, lakes, large trees and other objects of nature.
The native Shinto later mixed with elements of Buddhism, which can be seen in e.g. Shintō-like purifying in Buddhist training.
Purifying one’s body with water, before worship these Shintō gods, are an important religious rite. Such an act of purification is called misogoi, which can be found in many different forms and tradition in Japan.
But also many everyday acts may be related to the costume of misogi, like taking baths and wash oneself before getting into the water. The act of misogi is not simply a matter of cleaning once body, the Japanese also believe that washing oneself is also cleansing once soul.
Another concept closely related to misogi is kegare (defilement), which refers to both the defilement of the body but also the wickedness of the soul.
Neatness or seiso is another important aspect of Shintoism. It means to maintain a pure state by putting oneself and one’s surrounding in order, with no waste. It’s a state of mind which has been instilled in most people, finding its expression in various forms. Being it in the nonexistence of bins in public space - since one is supposed to take care of the rubbish one has caused oneself- or the custom to taking off shoes before entering a house to keep the dirt outside.
Worshipping nature?
An awareness of beauty has grown out of the customs of purifying oneself and being at one with nature routed in Shintoism. However in today’s materialistic society it is questionable to what extant Japanese are still living at one with natural environment. Japanese definitely cherish old values of purity but are confronted with contradictions between their current society and ideals of the past.
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