Kami

In the Shinto tradition of Japan, the concept of kami is central to understanding the world. While many people translate kami as "deity" or "god," scholars suggest this term is much more complex. Kami are not separate from the natural world; rather, they are part of it. They can be elements of the landscape, such as mountains or rivers, or forces of nature like wind and thunder. Kami can also be the spirits of deceased people, including great leaders or ancestors of entire clans. Some thinkers believe kami are manifestations of the interconnecting energy of the universe. They represent what humanity should strive toward in life.

To understand how kami function, one must look at their dual nature. Traditionally, kami are described as having two distinct minds or souls. There is a gentle soul, called nigi-mitama, which is nurturing and loving when the kami is respected. There is also an assertive soul, called ara-mitama, which can cause destruction and disharmony if the kami is disregarded. Some traditions, such as Yamakage Shinto, even describe two additional hidden souls: a happy soul called saki-mitama and a mysterious soul called kushi-mitama. Because of these shifting qualities, followers believe it is necessary to appease kami to gain their favor and avoid their wrath.

Kami are not visible to humans in the physical realm. Instead, they inhabit a complementary existence that mirrors our own. They may reside in sacred places, natural phenomena, or even in people during specific rituals. While they are mobile and visit various places of worship, they never stay in one location forever. This mobility means that the relationship between humans and kami is constant and active. Because kami are often "hidden," being in harmony with the awe-inspiring aspects of nature is a way to become conscious of their presence.

History shows that the roles of kami have shifted alongside Japanese society. In ancient times, hunter-gatherer groups worshipped earth-based spirits of the mountains and the sea. As rice cultivation became the dominant way of life, the identity of kami shifted toward sustaining roles. They became associated with rain, earth, and the growth of crops. This connection was celebrated through rituals meant to protect the harvest. One famous myth tells of the sun goddess Amaterasu. She sent her grandson to earth to rule, giving him five grains of rice grown in the fields of heaven, Takamagahara. This rice helped transform the wilderness.

There are many ways to classify these spirits. The Kojiki, written in 712 CE, and the Nihon Shoki, written in 720 CE, provide the earliest records of these myths. The Engishiki, a collection of rites from 927 CE, listed 3,131 official kami and 2,861 shrines. Today, the number of kami is considered uncountably large. People often use the phrase "yaoyorozu no kami," which literally means "eight million kami." This number is an idiom representing ubiquity, meaning they are everywhere. For example, Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine alone enshrines over 2,446,000 individual kami.

Kami can also represent specific social or political concepts. The goryō-shin are sacred spirits of people whose lives were cut short. These are often seen as vengeful spirits that must be calmed through devotion. Other kami have evolved to address specific human needs. The kami of smallpox eventually came to include all contagious diseases. The kami of boils and growths grew to preside over cancers and their treatments. Even individuals who showed outstanding virtue, like Sugawara no Michizane, can be celebrated as kami, such as the deity Tenjin.

To live in harmony with the divine, Shinto followers practice purification, known as harai. This is necessary because humans cannot perceive the sacredness of the world without it. Followers uphold four main affirmations to maintain this connection. First, they hold fast to tradition and their family line. Second, they maintain a love of nature, as nature is where kami reside. Third, they practice physical cleanliness by washing hands and mouths. Finally, they practice matsuri, which is the worship and honoring of kami and ancestral spirits.