Jinja is a Shinto temple devoted to Kami spirit. In Japan there are about 80 000 of jinja. They are differ from each other in size, shape and appointments depending on Kami they are devoted to. Jinja can be devoted to mythic gods as well as to real historic figures. There is even expression "Yaoerozuno Kami", literally "eight millions of gods").

History
Shinto was born in Japan long before the state foundation. Because of geographic and climatic conditions agriculture, fishery and forestry throve in ancient Japan. Inhabitants were in permanent contact with nature and Japanese began to consider natural phenomena as activities of Kami. Thus arose the belief in Rain Kami, Thunder Kami, Wind Kami, Sea Kami etc.

Community inhabitants began to conduct the devotions - matsuri - praying for community well-being and giving the thanks and respect to gods and spirits of ancestry. Matsuri arranged several times a year in places which considered as sacred. Usually these places were situated in mountains, forests and on rivers' banks. The place of devotions was marked with a twig of evergreen tree sakaki and enclosed with straw rope simenava. At first the devotions took place in the open air. Afterward people began to roof them to guard against wind and rain. With time constant temples appeared.

Kami
At the heart of the myth about Kami lays the idea of origin of gods from the space Chaos. The earth, nature and gods, Japanese ancestry, appeared as a result of marriage of male and female Kami. Thus everything that exists in the world is inseparably linked with each other. That's why there are so many worship objects in Shinto.

Often they translate the word "Kami" as "god". But the concept of Kami is differ from European idea of God. In Shinto there is no idea of single god or hierarchy of gods. Kami is a spirit with its own character, positive and negative streaks. Kami live in every surrounding objects and events including a man. The most esteemed among Kami is Amaterasu Omikami, progenitor of Emperor's family according to Shinto myth. The myth says that it was Amaterasu who present a rice seed to Japanese. Rice became the main food stuff in Japan.

The worship of ancestry is of great importance in Shinto. Matsuri in honor of gods at the same time are the signs of respect to the departed.

Torii

Matsuri
The main Japanese matsuri are bound up with the fact that rice is the basis of Japanese life. All jinja at spring and autumn carry out the matsuri devoted to the rice. Spring matsuri is called Kinensai, autumn one is called Niinamesai. In jinja takes place siti-go-san - holyday of children of tree, five and seven years old. Wedding ceremonies, devotes for well-being and health of family also take place in jinja.

Temizuya

Temple lay-out
Shinto temple usually is situated in a thick forest. The main building - syaden - generally is wooden. In front of temple there is always torii, traditional gates in the form of two columns with horizontal balks located on top. Road to the temple is called sando. Its purpose is to give people time to calm down and get ready for prayer. In some jinja there are stone statues look like lions that stand on each side of syaden. It is komainu (watchdogs) which guard the temple against evil spirits.

Komainu

On the path to syaden there is always stone wash-basin, temizuya. Here one must wash the hands and rinse the mouth. It is the way to clear oneself before meeting with Kami. After this one may enter the syaden.

There is certain manner of behavior in jinja. At first one ought to make a donation - to throw money into special box. Long ago when there was no money people brought rice as donation to Kami. Now one can do the same. After that one ought to bow twice, clap one's hands twice and bow once again. It is demonstration of one's sincerity to Kami.
Besides ritual buildings jinja has other ones. For instance, it is syamuse (administration office), jyuese where one can buy amulets. Japanese usually carry small personal amulet (O-mamori) on themselves. Big amulet (O-fuda) is placed on home or office altar.

Omamori

Recently many jinja encounter an economic difficulty. They are forced to engage in business. Large territory around syaden could be lease for a car park or antiquarian markets. Along the sando and on jinja territory one can see a lot of kiosks and small shops trading souvenirs, talismans, food and sweets. At spring many shops sell flowers and season plants.

On the New Year the majority of Japanese visit jinja to pray for health and well-being of family. That's why on the eve of New Year holiday almost all jinja open on their territories fairs and markets - iti.

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