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The Kami of the hearth and home in Shinto

Kami occupy a central place in Japanese spirituality and culture. These deities or spirits venerated in the Shinto tradition are deeply rooted in Japanese daily life, particularly in the home.

Introduction

Definition of the Kami

  • Origin and significance in Shinto
  • Role of the Kami in Japanese culture

Importance of the hearth and home

  • Cultural and spiritual aspect of the home
  • Link between the Kami and living spaces

The Kami of the home in Shinto

The intimacy of Japanese homes is populated by various benevolent entities who watch over the inhabitants and their daily activities.

The main domestic deities

  • Kamado Kami: guardian of the hearth and food preparation.
  • Mononoke**: mystical face presiding over welcome and protection at doors.
  • Kawa-no-Kami: the spirit associated with water and the purity of the bathroom.

Ancestor worship and domestic spirits

  • Difference between Kami and ancestor spirits
  • Domestic practices and rituals

Objects and symbols of worship

Around these deities revolve a whole series of objects and symbols essential to the practice of domestic worship.

Domestic altars (Kamidana)

  • Structure and location
  • Ritual objects and offerings

Symbolic objects and their meaning

  • Mirrors, amulets, and sacred fabrics
  • The vital role of talismans ( Omamori ) in protecting the home

Rituals associated with the Kami of the home

Daily routines and festive periods are punctuated by rituals that maintain the connection with these spiritual forces.

Daily rituals

  • Morning greetings and offerings ( Asa-matsuri )
  • Cleansing and purification ( Harai )

Annual festivities and celebrations

  • New Year ( Shogatsu ) and other festivals ( Matsuri )
  • Rituals of passage linked to the home

International counterparts and cultural influences

The Kami of the home maintain fascinating parallels with other traditions around the world.

Comparison with other spiritual domestic traditions

  • Lares and Penates in ancient Rome
  • Concept of Hearth Gods in other cultures
  • Media and representation of the Kami
  • Integration into contemporary practices

Conclusion

Reflecting on the Kami of the home is an invitation to delve into a universe where the sacred is closely interwoven with the everyday.

  • Summary of the importance of Kami in the home
  • Reflection on the evolution of practices and their relevance today
  • Invitation to deepen knowledge of Kami and Shinto

The fascination with Kami and spiritual practices in the home endures, testifying to the richness of Shinto and its indelible impact on Japan's cultural identity. The Kamado Kami, along with numerous other household spirits and dedicated Kamidana, form an invisible but unshakeable link between past and present. Enmeshed in daily rituals such as cleaning and purification ( Harai ) right up to major festivals ( Matsuri ), the Kami of the home continue to watch over generations, guiding and protecting the beating heart of Japanese homes .