600-800 CE: Formation of Japan as a Nation, Introduction of Buddhism

World of the Kami

1. Indigenous Japanese Religion - Prehistory
• Wei (Wa), Yamatai, Riben, Japan - modern nation state
• Jih-pen, Riben, Cipangu, Jipangu, Jippon, Nihon, Japan 日本
• Migration of Japanese tribes into the Islands
• Ural-Altaic, Polynesian influences; Ainu - Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu; Kyoto, Edo (Tokyo) Shogun
• Kami - gods and goddesses - and "Shinto"
• Himiko (Pimiko) in the Land of Wa (Wei)
• Shamanism/Shamaness; Matriarchy and Rulership; Oracle for the gods (Kami) polytheism, center of power
• NOT omnipotent, omniscient - Sun Goddess - Amaterasu - Ninigi
• - Ise Shrine, Susano-o - Izumo Shrine
• Nihon shoki (First Chronicle of Japan) & Kojiki (Chronicle of Ancient Affairs) - 11 ministers - 7 Fujiwara - Hosokawa - Prince Shotoku
2. Formation of Japan as a Nation and State Religion
• Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and Kami (Shinto)
3. Kawai, "Hollow-centered Balance Model of Japanese Mythology"
• Triad of Gods: Sun Goddess, Storm God, Moon God
• Amaterasu, Susano-o, Tsukiyomi
• Political and Religious Implications