Shinto Shrines (jinja) are places where the spirits (kami) are said to live. The shrine’s purpose is to show the power and nature of the kami, which leaves people in awe. Shinto shrines are places of deep calmness and beautiful gardens. They possess a profoundly spiritual atmosphere as shrines are viewed as restful places for kami and as a source of spiritual vitality. Japanese people and worshippers do not visit shrines on particular day each week, they visit shrines during festival times or when they want to.
Shinto Shrines can be several thousand acres large, or be as big as a few square feet. They are situated in places where the connection to the land is evident, such as forests or streams. Shinto Shrines may not even be structures, with rocks, trees and mountains being able to act as shrines if they have a special connection to kami. All shrines are made out of only natural products
Shinto Shrine
Sacred Space
The elements of a traditional shrine design are:
Torrii: gates made of wood and are traditionally painted orange or black. The gates symbolise the boundary between everyday life and the infinite world of the Kami. The gates are structured of arches with two uprights and two crossbars.
Shimenawa: a traditional rope which made of straw that is hung between the uprights of a Torrii Gate. Shimenawas, along with the gate mark off sacred areas in the shrine. The straw may have paper or streamers hanging from them.
Komainu: entrances which are guarded by statues of dogs or lions. Their job is to keep away evil spirits and protect Kami.
Temizuya: a water trough with ladles to wash hands and face, which washes away impurities as it is believed to be wrong to go near Kami with impurities. Located near the entrance, it is a visual preparation for worship.
Halls: A traditional Shinto shrine will house a main hall (Honden), a worship hall (Haiden) and an offering hall (Heiden). These may be separate buildings or separate rooms in the same building. The Honden is the Kami sanctuary, a place where only priests are allowed as it is believed that the Kami live in the Honden. People are only allowed at the entrances of the Honden where there is a trough where money can be thrown in and a bell for worshippers to admire the Kami. The Haiden and Heiden are halls which worshippers are allowed to go in to pray and bring special offerings, as well as celebrate special occasions.
Shintai: a man-made object (e.g. mirror) or a natural resource (e.g. a rock) which marks the presence of the Kami. The objects have been wrapped for centuries, therefore for some objects it is not known what they are.
Heihaku: a stick with hanging streamers which symbolise the presence of the Kami. The Heihaku is placed in front of the doors to of the Honden.
The Shinto shrine and its many elements describe to us the purpose of life is to worship the Kami and that you can live out the purpose by being involved in worshiping at a shrine yourself.