Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Amaterasu
B)   Confucius
C)   the Emperor
D)   Izanagi and Izanami
E)   Laozi A

Question 2

Use the concept of "purity" to describe basic Shinto teachings.

Accepted Answer

In Shinto teachings, the concept of "purity" is central to the belief system. Purity is not just a physical state, but also a spiritual and moral one. It is about maintaining a sense of cleanliness and wholesomeness in all aspects of life, including thoughts, actions, and surroundings. This idea of purity is reflected in Shinto rituals and practices, such as purification rites and the use of sacred spaces. By striving for purity, individuals seek to align themselves with the divine and maintain harmony with the natural world. Overall, the concept of purity in Shinto teachings emphasizes the importance of living in a way that is respectful, reverent, and in harmony with the spiritual forces of the universe.

Question 3

Discuss the assertion, "Although its leaders claimed it was not, State Shinto was indeed a religion."

Accepted Answer

State Shinto was a form of Shinto that was promoted and supported by the Japanese government during the Meiji Restoration and into the early 20th century. Its leaders claimed that it was not a religion, but rather a form of national identity and cultural tradition. However, many scholars and critics argue that State Shinto did indeed function as a religion in practice.

One of the key characteristics of a religion is the presence of rituals, beliefs, and practices that are centered around the divine or supernatural. State Shinto had all of these elements, with its emphasis on the veneration of the Emperor as a divine figure and the performance of rituals and ceremonies at Shinto shrines. These rituals and beliefs were deeply intertwined with the political and social structure of Japan, and they played a significant role in shaping the national identity and ideology of the country.

Furthermore, State Shinto had a hierarchical structure with priests and officials who were responsible for overseeing the religious activities and promoting the state's agenda. This organization and institutionalization of religious practices are also common features of organized religions.

In addition, State Shinto had a significant impact on the daily lives of the Japanese people, influencing their behavior, values, and sense of national pride. This influence is similar to the way that religions shape the lives of their followers.

Overall, while its leaders may have denied it, State Shinto exhibited many characteristics of a religion in practice. Its rituals, beliefs, organizational structure, and influence on society all point to the fact that it functioned as a religious system, despite the official claims to the contrary.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)   Confucius
B)   the Emperor
C)   Jesus
D)   Laozi
E)   Mao Zedong

Question 5

A __________ is a woman shaman in Japan.

Accepted Answer

A)   Amaterasu
B)   Izaganag
C)   kami
D)   miko
E)   ryobu

Question 6

One could argue that the effective religion for most modern Japanese is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   amateurism
B)   atheism
C)   consumerism
D)   kamikaze
E)   shogunism

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

A)   ability to negotiate with them
B)   fear of them
C)   knowledge of them
D)   reverence of them
E)   status

Question 8

Outline the similarities and differences between the Shinto understanding of "harmony" and the "balance" that is a feature of the indigenous worldview in general (see Chapter Two).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Outline the similarities and differences between the...

Question 9

Medieval Shinto sought to amalgamate Shinto with Confucianism and __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Buddhism
B)   Christianity
C)   Daoism
D)   Hinduism
E)   Islam

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

A)   empathy
B)   honor
C)   humility
D)   love
E)   restraint

Question 11

Describe the role of religion in twenty-first century Japan and Korea.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the role of religion in twenty-first...

Question 12

The linchpin of the Shinto view of the nature of reality is __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Amaterasu
B)   Buddha
C)   the Dao
D)   Japan
E)   Rice

Question 13

The indigenous religion of Japan is called __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Buddhism
B)   Daoism
C)   Jainism
D)   Shinto
E)   Tai Chi

Question 14

Describe the main features of a Shinto shrine.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the main features of a Shinto...

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

A)   bodhisattvas
B)   children
C)   kami
D)   kamikazes
E)   llamas

Question 16

The secular religion that flourishes in North Korea at this point in the twenty-first century focuses on __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   Kim Il Sung
B)   Mao Zedong
C)   Michael Jackson
D)   money
E)   nature

Question 17

After World War II, ________ was outlawed in Japan.

Accepted Answer

A)   Confucianism
B)   Folk Shinto
C)   Sect Shinto
D)   Shrine Shinto
E)   State Shinto

Question 18

Explore the relationship between the role of the Sun Goddess in Shintoism and theleadership roles of women in the religion (e.g., as miko).

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explore the relationship between the role of...

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

A)   butsu-dan
B)   haiden
C)   honden
D)   kokutai-no-hongi
E)   torii

Question 20

More than in other East Asian societies, __________ has taken root and grown significantly in South Korea

Accepted Answer

A)   Buddhism
B)   Christianity
C)   Confucianism
D)   Marxism
E)   Shinto

Exam 9: Shinto The Way of the Kami