Shintoism
Shintoism is one of the primary religions in Japan. Deities in Shinto are known as kami, and Shinto, itself, means the way of the gods. I think that most Japanese people do not look towards or "belong" to just on religion. Instead, the syncretism of two or more religions is common for in daily lives.
The Four Affirmations of Shinto:
1. Tradition and family must be honored.
2. Love of nature plays a great role. Most shrines are built in groves on the edge of the village, near a waterfall, near a distinctive rock on the seashore, etc.
3. Physical cleanliness must be assured before prayers or approach to a shrine. Lots of washing, sprinkling with salt, etc.
4. Festivals and ceremonies must be honored. Japanese festivals (matsuri) are joyous occasions with lots of energetic activity: eg, the young men in bright jackets pushing around a huge wagon containing the sacred shrine during a parade, wrestling matches (that is, sumo). These events are intended as entertainment for the benefit of the kami as well as for the participants.
(This information was taken from http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~port/teach/relg/shinto.sketch.html).
To read further about Shinto religion visit:
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Shintoism and Marriage
Shinto teachings consider marriage to be one of life's rites of passage. In the ancient customs, the household Shinto altar is where families report the marriage decree to the ancestors. The couple is then introduced to the community in a banquet held by the family. By the turn of the last century, a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple became common place for a more formal ceremony to be performed. Other settings, for example, a Christian church or by civil ceremony, today are not as common. Furthermore, the most popular seasons for Shinto weddings are spring and autumn.
"The traditional Shinto wedding ceremony is a private, formal event, usually attended by the immediate family and closest friends of the couple. The ceremony symbolizes both the union of two people and the joining of two families. In the traditional 'san san kudo' or 'three times three' ceremony, the couple exchange cups of sake. Similar cups of sake are exchanged between members of the families to signify the union. Following these exchanges, the couple offer twigs of the 'Sakaki' sacred tree in worship to the gods."
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For an in depth look at different marraige ceremonial practices in Japan visit:
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