I have, so far, released only one book, An Introduction to Shinto. This page gives a full list of the essays included in it, and thus a detailed description of the contents.
An Introduction to Shinto
- What is Shinto? (October 2016)
- A general introduction to Shinto, available free to anyone who pledges their support. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Matsuri: The Heart of Shinto Practice (November 2016)
- A description of the central activities at a Shinto jinja. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Tennō: The Emperor in Shinto (January 2017)
- The role of the Japanese Emperor in Shinto. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Kegarë and Harae: Pollution and Purification (March 2017)
- The concepts and rituals around purity and impurity in Shinto. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Attitudes to Shinto (April 2017)
- What typical Japanese people think about Shinto, based on a survey carried out by Jinja Honchō. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Shinto People (July 2017)
- From priests to casual visitors, this essay describes the various types of people associated with jinja. It covers both the very well known but peripheral miko, and the absolutely central but almost completely unknown sōdai, but focuses on priests. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Kami (August 2017)
- What are kami? They are not “gods”, but that is not very helpful. This essay explains how kami are seen in contemporary Shinto, and introduces four of the most popular: Hachiman Ōkami, Amaterasu Ōmikami, Tenjin-sama, and O-Inari-san. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- A History of Shinto (September 2017)
- A very quick history of Shinto, from its origins to the present day, focusing on the historical elements that are most important in understanding contemporary Shinto. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Yasukuni Jinja (November 2017)
- A discussion of Yasukuni Jinja, the place where the war dead are enshrined and the most controversial jinja in Japan. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Norito (February 2018)
- The formal prayers offered as part of every matsuri. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- At A Jinja (March 2018)
- The buildings and other features of a jinja. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad..
- In A Jinja (April 2018)
- Significant items in a jinja, from o-mamori amulets to the goshintai that houses the kami. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Household Rituals (May 2018)
- The Shinto rituals that are supposed to be performed within private households. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Shinto Myths (June 2018)
- A general discussion of the role of myths in Shinto, and the main sources for them, together with a description of the creation myths found in the central texts. A small part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad. The whole essay is available in Myths of Creation and Amaterasu, on Amazon.
- Shinsen (August 2018)
- The food and drink offered to the kami, both the standard offerings found at all jinja, and some examples of special offerings unique to a particular matsuri. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad. The entire essay is available on Amazon in Offerings for the Kami.
- Shirahata Hachiman Daijin (September 2018)
- My local jinja, and a good example of a “typical” jinja. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- Kagura (December 2018)
- The sacred music and dance of Shinto ceremonies. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad. The entire essay is available on Amazon in Offerings for the Kami.
- Myths of Amaterasu (February 2019)
- A description of the myths of Amaterasu as found in the oldest sources for Japanese mythology, with some discussion of the significance of the events and the differences between the versions. Part of this essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad. The whole essay is available in Myths of Creation and Amaterasu, on Amazon.
- Jingū (March 2019)
- Jingū, in Isë, the main jinja dedicated to Amaterasu Ōmikami, and the most important single jinja in contemporary Shinto practice. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.
- The Shinto Establishment (April 2019)
- Jinja Honchō, the Shintō Seiji Renmei, and Jinja Shinpō. Organisations that play a critical role in contemporary Shinto, and serve to a great extent as its public face. This essay is included in An Introduction to Shinto, my book, which is available on Amazon and Gumroad.