A Shufti at Shinto Trivia Quiz

Answer: Way of the Gods

Adopted from the Chinese "shen dao," Shinto means "Way of the Gods." It is also known as kami-no-michi, or "spirit path."

I do like the sound of "Discipline, Dedication, Destiny" though.

Answer: Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters)

Ancient folklore, history and mythology underpin Shinto practices. Today's adherents follow standard language, dress and ritual, even though beliefs may varied widely across the various Shinto "types."

Answer: True

Shinto is syncretistic, with no qualms about combining otherwise contradictory beliefs. The "kami" includes all mythological creatures of the Japanese and Buddhist traditions, and the gods, angels and demons of all faiths.

Answer: Shinto handles life events; Buddhism handles the afterlife

The rituals of Shinto are used to celebrate births and weddings, while Buddhist practices are generally adopted for death, funeral, and burial events.

In reality, the two systems seem to co-exist in Japanese society quite readily. Given that both are syncretistic, such co-existence is perhaps not surprising.

Answer: State Shinto

It was believed by the US Occupation Forces that State Shinto was being used to promote Japanese ultra-nationalism, and was a disguise for militarism.

Japan's post-war constitution allows for freedom of religion, but specifically separates religion and state. As a result of the Directive, the Emperor also issued a decree denying/renouncing his divinity. (Some sources point out that he gave up something he never had, even under traditional Shinto beliefs.)

Answer: The separation between secular and sacred

The torii mark the entrance to a sacred place. Single torii are also common at Buddhist temples, but Shinto shrines usually have more than one straddling the path/road leading to the entrance.

Answer: True

Although Shinto holds no concept of a separate afterworld, death IS viewed as a path toward divinity. On death, one becomes part of the pantheon of "kami" (spirit beings inhabiting everything in this world).

Answer: The constitutional banning of religious practices

Religious practices have never been generally banned in Japan. Indeed, the first, and (to 2013 only) constitutionally atheist state is Albania.

Answer: The islands of Japan

According to Shinto mythology, Japan was the first land to be created. When the universe was created from chaos, a number of 'gods' appeared spontaneously. Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female) thrust a jewelled spear into the ocean. When they withdrew the spear, land was created from the resulting drips of water.

Their later union resulted in offspring which became the other islands of Japan.

Answer: 67%

That two thirds of Japanese hold no personal religious affiliation is perhaps surprising. Although somewhere between 80-95% are considered Shinto or Buddhist, that number relates to birth records rather than self-identification.

Of those who do acknowledge religious affiliation, Shinto account for only about 3%, Buddhism 22%. [NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, 2013.]