A brief summary of about Shinto, Kami, and jinja
Most of Japanese people have no do not practice a religion. but However, we they do go and pray for their wishes at jinja.
Jinja is usually translated as "Shinto shrine." and It looks like a Buddhist temple(Buddhism) so even some Japanese people can't distinguish a jinja from a Buddhist temple.
However, if I was were asked "Is Shinto a Japanese religion?", I would say "No."
I feel like Shinto is Japanese culture itself because if you're a Muslim, or a Christian, or have any belief follow any other faith, it doesn’t matter. everyone Anyone can visit jinja anytime and even pray for his wish to Kami.
Then I have to Now I will refer to Kami.
"Kami" is often replaced withtranslated as "god" in English but, exactly speaking, I do not think this is correct. it's not correct, I think.
It's confusing but I mean I regard Kami as energy of nature, people's wishes, or things we can't explain in our present science.
That's why it is said that there are lots(“a lot” would be better because “lots” is very informal)of Kami and they are everywhere. Kami is even in your heart.
I asked one of my friends before, "When do you go to jinja?"
She said, "I go to jinja when I want to reconsider myself."
In that case, I think she compares Kami in her mind, that is her will or conscience, with Kami in jinja, that is in front of her at that time.
And(Do not start a new sentence with “And”) Also, we are afraid of the things we don't understand like such as natural disasters. and As a result, we express them as Kami's doing.
Kami is invisible and immaterial, which gives us difficulties to in feeling Kami. then Therefore, we imagine Kami as a human.
In jinja people worship Kami, greeting greet each other, and asking or appreciating for our everyday life. ask for appreciation in their everyday lives.
I love jinja because I feel like jinja is filled with lots(“a lot” would be better because “lots” is very informal) of hope.
One example of this hope is my I have one astonishing experience about my dog who She died 4 years ago.
Late in her life, her condition was very very(you do not need to repeat the word) bad and she couldn't sleep at all.
She was groaning all throughout the night.
One day, I took her to jinja where my relatives were working, to meet them and things happened. to meet my relatives who were working there and something amazing happened.
She slept! I couldn't believe it, but she definetely slept well calmly. I was so so(you do not need to repeat the word) happy.
I don't know why this happened, even now.
I can't say this happened, but it's a miracle.
A miracle given to us by Kami....
If you have chance to come to Japan, visiting jinja a is must.
You're sure to feel the special power.
It is said that there are more than 80,000 jinja in Japan.
Each of themjinja has its own history and story. invloved in.
so Let's try to find your favorite one :)
Thank you for reading my rambling poor writing.
Any questions about Shinto, Kami, jinja and or any other aspect of Japanese culture are welcome.
Good job with this very detailed description of Shinto, kami, and jinja. I learned a lot while reading it. There are some grammatical errors, but they are minor and easy to correct. Your writing is not poor! I was able to follow along without a problem. You used a lot of good vocabulary and varying forms of sentence structure. Keep it up :)



