Sixteenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

Shinto is the ancient indigenous religion of Japan, and Kami is the demonstration of this religion that has been manifested and survived since mythological and ancient times. Kami is worshipped by Shinto followers is essentially a name used in honor of great and holy spirits, stemmed from a sense of admiration for their virtues and prestige. Characteristics like growth, fertility, and productivity are always attributed to the phenomena that have been called Kami since ancient times. According to Japanese beliefs, the kamis created the Japanese world in the time of ancient myths as each element of the nature has a Kami and the story of creation has taken place this way. According to this belief, there was nothing but the first kami, who came into being spontaneously and created new eight islands, which are the islands of Japan with the help of two other Kamis called Kamis of Creation, Izanami and Izanagi. The concept of kami seems somehow confusing due to the multiplicity as well as the variety of forms. Questions guiding research are: 1.What is iconography in the Shinto’s religious art? 2. What is the reason behind the repetition of number eight, in various forms, in Shinto religion’s artworks? 3.What is the main difference between iconography in Buddhism and Shinto and why? Shinto religion does not have its own iconography, the nature is the abode of the Kami, and includes the worship of the nature and ancestors; In fact, it is the religion of honoring the Sun Goddess.