Shinto: Origins, Rituals, Festivals, Spirits, Sacred Places

Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: A comprehensive look at the Shinto religion, including the basis, it's melding with buddhism, and some of the mythology. Great for anyone looking to learn more about eastern philosophy.

Rating:
Summary: Shinto - The Way of the Gods, condenced for your convenience
Review: C. Scott Littleton's "Shinto: Origins, Ritual, Festivals, Spirits and Sacred Places" is a surprisingly good guide to Japan's native religion, considering its small size and ease of reading. This thin book takes a respectful look at Shinto's origin, main tenants, major characters, sacred texts and theology. The information is quite scholarly, as befits an Oxford Press publication.

It is a very brief overview, and should be considered as an introductory book for anyone who wants to quickly understand Shinto without dedicating considerable time. Only the very main aspects are introduced, and many controversial elements, such as the inclusion of Tenri-kyo amongst the Shinto sects, are never touched on. Other things such as the nature of kami and their role in Japanese society over time, are not developed well, and could lead to some misunderstandings regarding the kami. However, this is to be expected in such a small book.

There are several lovely pictures, but all in all this book is more text than photo-guide, as it should be. It is impressive to see Shinto so well-condensed, allowing for a general understanding of the religion in such a short time.

Rating:
Summary: Shinto - The Way of the Gods, condenced for your convenience
Review: C. Scott Littleton's "Shinto: Origins, Ritual, Festivals, Spirits and Sacred Places" is a surprisingly good guide to Japan's native religion, considering its small size and ease of reading. This thin book takes a respectful look at Shinto's origin, main tenants, major characters, sacred texts and theology. The information is quite scholarly, as befits an Oxford Press publication.

It is a very brief overview, and should be considered as an introductory book for anyone who wants to quickly understand Shinto without dedicating considerable time. Only the very main aspects are introduced, and many controversial elements, such as the inclusion of Tenri-kyo amongst the Shinto sects, are never touched on. Other things such as the nature of kami and their role in Japanese society over time, are not developed well, and could lead to some misunderstandings regarding the kami. However, this is to be expected in such a small book.

There are several lovely pictures, but all in all this book is more text than photo-guide, as it should be. It is impressive to see Shinto so well-condensed, allowing for a general understanding of the religion in such a short time.

Rating:
Summary: It surprised me with its excellence
Review: Every once in a while, a book comes along that surprises me with its excellence, and this is one of those books. This book looks at Shinto, its origins and developments, its beliefs, sacred texts, and principles. The writing is clear and concise, giving the reader a clear understanding without being too heavy on details or too vague on ideas. Along the way, the reader is treated to a host of topical, colorful pictures that add to ones understanding.

This is an excellent resource, one that I highly recommend to anyone who wants a short, easy-to-read introduction to Shinto. I can't think of a better book in this category!

Rating:
Summary: A pretty LITTLE book
Review: This is a pretty little book which might be suitable if you know nothing whatsoever about shinto, and wish to learn a little about Japan's indigenous religion. It is attractive, quickly read, and not too desert-religion biased.
I you already know anything at all about shinto, or if you are interested in the faith and wish to get a good and full introduction to it, this is definitely not the book for you. It is much too superficial in its scope for that, and its outlook is much too westernized.
Casual tourist? By all means. Nipponophile? Stay away!


Rating:
Summary: good intro to the basics
Review: This tiny book (100 pages in length and of small dimensions) explores the basics of the origins, rituals, festivals, spirits, sacred places, conception of sacred time, sacred texts and the afterlife as pertains to Shinto.

Also interesting is the author's discussion of how Shinto fits into the greater framework of Japanese society and how it is often practiced right alongside Buddhism with no feeling of contradiction. He says many Japanese often have Shinto weddings but Buddhist funerals.

The book has some beautiful photographs as well as some plates of works of art. This is the simplest of introductions, nothing in depth, no deep theology. I was suprised how much of it I already knew (and I've never read anything on Shinto.) I guess I just picked it up from talking to people and from literature. It did provide a lot of info I didn't know though and its piqued my interest enough to want to read more about Japan's indigenous religion.