Shrines, Ise and Matsuri

Shinto worship centers on shrines (jinja), which number in the tens of thousands across Japan. A torii gate marks the boundary between the everyday world and sacred space, and visitors purify their hands and mouth with water before approaching. At the shrine, people may bow, clap and pray, buy amulets (omamori) for protection, or write wishes on wooden plaques called ema.

The most sacred shrine is Ise, dedicated to Amaterasu, whose main buildings are rebuilt every 20 years in a ritual called Shikinen Sengu, renewing both the structures and the craft skills needed to build them. Communities celebrate matsuri, festivals in which kami are carried through streets in portable shrines (mikoshi), with music, dance and food. Life events are also marked at shrines, such as a baby's first visit and the Shichi-Go-San celebration for children. Shrine life shows how Shinto binds religion to community, nature and seasonal rhythm.