Skip to content

Unexplainable.net

Watching The World Change

  • Outer Space Movie Trivia & Facts: Prometheus Space and Astrology
  • 6 Interesting Facts About Frankenstein Information and Theories
  • Ghosts From Family Castles in Great Britian Ghost And Demons
  • UFO effects on Automobiles and Cars Simply Unexplainable
  • MIB? Yes! UFOs and Aliens
  • Video: Massive Glittering UFO Above New York UFOs and Aliens
  • The Socorro, New Mexico UFO Case UFOs and Aliens
  • China Targets Moon NASA Articles

Shinto Holidays

Posted on February 28, 2009 By jim No Comments on Shinto Holidays
Mooker

When it comes to major annual festivals celebrated by Shintoists (called matsuri), each shrine offers celebrations that include festivals that pay homage to a particular season. In this article, you will encounter the meaning behind some of the more significant occasions of the Shinto religion.

Spring Festival (Haru Matsuri or Toshigoi-no-Matsuri): During this festival, participants pray that they will receive a decent harvest.

Autumn or Harvest Festival (Aki Matsuri, or Niiname-sai)

Annual Festival (Rei-sai): Usually taking place on the day of the Annual Festival, people set up mini-shrines (called mikoshi) during the Divine Procession (Shinko-sai). The shrines are then carried on the shoulders of participant, traveling throughout the parish. This is a time to show respect for the enshrined deity Kami. Special rites are often encountered on occasions (like the Annual Festival), which could involve the following practices:

·    special water purification (misogi)
·    confinement in shrines for devotional purposes (o-komori)
·    the procession of a sacred palanquin (o-miyuki) or of boats (funa matsuri)
·    ceremonial feast (toya matsuri)
·    sumo wrestling
·    horseback riding (kurabe-uma)
·    archery (matoi)
·    a dance devoted to the lion (shishi mai)
·    rice-planting activities (o-taue matsuri)

Shinto New Year (Oshogatsu or Shogatsu): Shintoists consider this holiday one of the most popular celebrations, where many shrine visits take place.

Adults’ Day (Seijin Shiki): This celebration pertains to Japanese individuals who have reached the legal age of adulthood, which is 20 in the country, during the previous year. Those who have turned 20 usually attend a shrine to give thanks.

Spring Festival (known as Rissun or Setsubun): During the spring, this festival observes the separation between the Winter and Spring seasons. Beans play a significant role in the celebration.

Festival of Dolls (Hina-matsuri): This holiday is devoted to the daughters in a family.

Equinox Day (Shubun-sai): This day is spent visiting the graves of loved ones and also has an association with Buddhism in Japan.

7-5-3 Festival (Shichigosan): This festival pays homage to children and is often celebrated on the closest Sunday to the 15th of November so that parents that work have a chance to join in with the celebration.

Labor Thanksgiving Day (Niinamesei): This national holiday takes place in Japan and was originally meant as a harvest festival, allowing people to appreciate their harvest and have a chance to share in the joy with Kami.

The majority of Shinto festivals are typically observed following a specific set of steps within rituals that are associated to grand celebrations. To learn more about these steps, check out the article titled, “An Introduction to Shinto Rituals,” which touches upon activities, like purification rites, food offerings, and the role of a chief priest.

Religion Articles

Post navigation

Previous Post: Quick Glance at Shintoism
Next Post: An Introduction to Shinto Rituals

Related Posts

  • Schools of Magick: Cherry Hill Seminary & More Religion Articles
  • Bible Profile: Adam Religion Articles
  • Saint Holidays in January Religion Articles
  • Numbers and Other Symbols in the Bible Religion Articles
  • The Levirate Union: Cultures and Religions II Religion Articles
  • English Witch Trials Religion Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Mahavatar Babaji: The Yogi alive for 2000 years
  • Spirituality and science conflict
  • Conspiracies and myths about spirituality
  • Know your Ki: Reiki
  • 10 amazing plants to promote spirituality and positivity

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • July 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004
  • August 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004
  • March 2004
  • February 2004
  • January 2004
  • December 2003
  • November 2003
  • October 2003

Categories

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Benjamin Fulford Story
  • Cryptology and Monsters
  • Eating Healthy
  • Ghost And Demons
  • Information and Theories
  • Mars Coverage
  • Meditation And Spirituality
  • Mysteries
  • NASA Articles
  • Other Exciting News
  • Personal Accounts
  • Pictures And Multimedia
  • Political Conspiracies
  • Recent Submissions
  • Religion Articles
  • Self Improvement
  • Simply Unexplainable
  • Space and Astrology
  • Technology Articles
  • True Stories
  • UFOs and Aliens
  • Unexplainable Video Library
  • Unexplainable Weather
  • History of Timekeeping Information and Theories
  • The Chalice’s Role in Christianity Religion Articles
  • What is Considered Witchcraft? Part 2 Information and Theories
  • Tales of Haunted Anaheim, California Ghost And Demons
  • Ancient Egypt: The Old Kingdom , Fourth Dynasty Ancient Civilizations
  • Bad Luck and Superstitions 2 Information and Theories
  • Out- of-body-experiences and remote viewing Ghost And Demons
  • From Larry’s Lookout To Tennessee Valley Mars Coverage

Copyright © 2023 Unexplainable.net.

Powered by PressBook News Dark theme