Shinto, that immemorial Japanese spirituality, weaves its web into the daily lives of the Japanese through ancestral rituals and beliefs. At the heart of this practice is purification, an essential element embodying the quest for purity and harmony with nature. This article invites you to discover how water, salt and sake play a key role in this quest, impacting both religious and social life in Japan.

Introduction

Purification in Shinto

The notion of purification, or Misogi , has its roots in Shinto mythology , where it is said that the deities themselves purified themselves. This concept is inseparable from Shinto rituals and festivals, marking the desire of to rid oneself of defilement and impurity. The impact of these rituals on practitioners is manifold, touching on spirituality, health and even social relations.

Water, an essential element of purification

Water represents life and purity in many cultures, and in Shinto, it holds a special place.

• Misogi
• This ritual involves immersion in a stream of water to purify body and mind.
• Temizuya
• At the entrance to shrines, visitors wash their hands and mouths with water to purify themselves before praying.

As for sacred places linked to water, they are often seen as points of contact between the human world and the divine, providing a natural purification for those who visit them.

Salt, purifier par excellence

In Shintoism, salt symbolizes purity and is frequently used to purify places and people.

• Shubatsu
• A ceremony in which salt is scattered to purify a place or objects before a ritual.

Salt is also scattered around homes and on people in everyday life , providing a constant connection between sacred practices and everyday .

Sake, offering and purifier

Sake, Japan's emblematic drink, is much more than just alcohol in the Shinto context.

• O-Miki
• Considered the offering of choice during Shinto ceremonies, sake is also used to purify.

Today, sake retains its spiritual significance, while being appreciated as an integral part of Japanese culture.

These three elements, although used to achieve the same goal of purity, have their own nuances and contexts of use, chosen carefully according to the nature of the ritual or occasion.

Shinto today and purification rites

In the modern era, these ancient purification rituals are undergoing a transformation, seeking to preserve their essence while remaining relevant to contemporary practitioners. The teaching and transmission of these traditions remain crucial to the continuity of Shinto.

Conclusion

Purification plays a central role in Shinto, thanks to the symbolic action of water, salt and sake. These elements, imbued with profound meanings, continue to shape the face of contemporary Shinto , punctuating Japanese life with moments of spirituality and tradition.

References

To be completed with reliable and relevant sources to support the article.

Remember that mythology and history are deep wells from which to draw knowledge. By sharing these Japanese traditions, we're not just telling stories; we're perpetuating a thousand-year-old wisdom through the prism of Shinto purification.