Question 1

The one most revered deity in Japan is __________.

Accepted Answer

Amaterasu is considered the most important deity in Japan as she is believed to be the ancestral goddess of the royal family and the sun goddess who brings light and warmth to the world. She is also considered the patron deity of agriculture and the founding goddess of the Japanese nation.

Question 2

In Shintoism, __________ symbolize the sacred quality of human existence, nature, and the cosmos as a whole.

Accepted Answer

Kami are the spirits or divine essences worshipped in Shintoism and they are believed to reside in natural objects and phenomena such as mountains, forests, rivers, and even human beings. They symbolize the sacred quality of human existence, nature, and the cosmos as a whole. Bodhisattvas are revered in Buddhism, llamas are Buddhist monks, and kamikazes were Japanese pilots who carried out suicide missions in World War II. Children do not have a specific role in Shintoism as symbols of the sacred.

Question 3

The entrance to a Shinto shrine is marked by a gateway known as a __________.

Accepted Answer

A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

Question 4

According to the Shinto Myth, Japan is the land of the __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Shinto mythology, Japan is the land of the kami, which are the spirits or divine beings that are believed to inhabit natural elements and phenomena such as mountains, rivers, and trees.

Question 5

According to Shinto tradition, the total number of kami is __________.

Accepted Answer

Shinto tradition states that the number of kami is infinite, as they believe that everything in nature has its own kami, including animals, rocks, and even human beings who have achieved greatness. There is no government agency regulating the number of kami, and while the Emperor and Sun Goddess are important figures in Shintoism, they are not the only kami. The option of three (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) relates to Christianity and is not part of Shinto belief.

Question 6

A __________ is a woman shaman in Japan.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A __________ is a woman shaman in...

Question 7

Japan was forcibly reopened to Western trade and influence by American naval forces under Commodore Perry in the __________ century.

Accepted Answer

Japan was forcibly reopened to Western trade and influence by American naval forces under Commodore Perry in 1853-1854, which falls under the nineteenth century.

Question 8

Medieval Shinto sought to amalgamate Shinto with Confucianism and __________.

Accepted Answer

Medieval Shinto sought to amalgamate Shinto with Confucianism and Buddhism, as Buddhism was already an established religion in Japan at the time.

Question 9

According to the Shinto worldview, people will naturally follow the path or harmony with the kami unless they lose their __________ .

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the Shinto worldview, people will...

Question 10

From 1890 until 1945 every Japanese child bowed daily before a picture of __________.

Accepted Answer

From 1890 until 1945, Japan was under an imperial system with the Emperor considered as a divine figure. As a result, every Japanese child was expected to bow daily before a picture of the Emperor as a sign of respect and loyalty to the imperial system.

Question 11

The indigenous religion of Japan is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, characterized by a belief in the kami, or spirits or gods that inhabit the natural world. Buddhism and Daoism were introduced to Japan from other parts of Asia, while Jainism and Tai Chi are not religions but rather spiritual practices or exercises.

Question 12

The most famous virtue of the bushido code of the samurai warrior is __________.

Accepted Answer

Honor is considered the most famous virtue of the bushido code. The samurai warriors were expected to adhere to a strict code of honor and loyalty, and they placed great importance on upholding their reputation and the reputation of their clans. This involved acts of bravery, self-discipline, honesty, and respect for others.

Question 13

The most popular national pilgrimage site is the Grand Imperial Shrine of __________ located at Ise.

Accepted Answer

The Grand Imperial Shrine of Ise is the most important national shrine of Japan and is dedicated to Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the universe. It is considered the spiritual home of the Japanese people and a symbol of their cultural identity.

Question 14

The roots of Shinto are found in a popular myth of the origins of the Japanese islands. That myth is called the __________.

Accepted Answer

The Kojiki is a collection of Japanese myths and legends that dates back to the early 8th century. It includes the popular myth of the origins of Japan, in which the god Izanagi and goddess Izanami create the islands and all of the other gods and goddesses. This myth is considered an important basis for Shinto beliefs and practices. The other answer choices are not related to the origins of Shinto.

Question 15

After World War II, ________ was outlawed in Japan.

Accepted Answer

After World War II, State Shinto was outlawed in Japan. State Shinto was the official state religion, which promoted emperor worship and nationalism, and was seen as a tool to support Japan's militarism during the war. Folk Shinto, Sect Shinto, and Shrine Shinto still remain practiced in Japan today. Confucianism is not a form of Shintoism and was not outlawed after the war.

Question 16

According to the Shinto worldview, the basic dilemma to be overcome is __________.

Accepted Answer

In Shinto, the basic dilemma to be overcome is pollution or impurity. This refers not just to physical uncleanliness but also to a spiritual or moral impurity. Practices and rituals in Shinto aim to purify individuals and spaces from this pollution.

Question 17

According to the Shinto worldview, humans are naturally __________.

Accepted Answer

According to the Shinto worldview, humans are naturally good, and it is believed that they can maintain this goodness by living in harmony with nature and practicing the proper rituals and traditions.

Question 18

The principal path to harmony and purity in traditional Shinto is through participation in __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The principal path to harmony and purity...

Question 19

Shinto's ultimate goal is __________.

Accepted Answer

Shinto's ultimate goal is to achieve cosmic harmony, which involves maintaining balance and reverence for nature, ancestors, and deities. It is not focused on concepts of an afterlife, liberation, material wealth, or restoring a historical period.

Question 20

Shinto comes from two Chinese words (shen and dao) that mean the "way of the __________.

Accepted Answer

Shinto is a religion that originated in Japan and is based on the belief in the existence of spirits, called kami, in all things in nature. The word "shen" in Chinese means "spirit" or "divine being," and "dao" means "way" or "path." Therefore, Shinto is often translated as the "way of the spirits."

Quiz 9: Shinto The Way of the Kami