All Patreon Essays

This is a full list of all the essays that I have published through the Mimusubi Patreon, in chronological order. The description of each essay includes links to the places where it can be purchased. Note that I did not write an essay every month in the early years of the Patreon, so there are some gaps in the dates.

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 from the Shore (May 2017): A bit on my personal view of Shinto, based on a talk I was asked to give, in English, to a Japanese audience. It is available on 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.
Shinto in Anime and Manga (January 2018): The portrayal of Shinto in anime and, mainly, manga, from realistic depictions of life at a jinja to fantasy stories. It is available on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Shinto Portrayals in Manga.
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.
Ōharaëkotoba (January 2019): A transcription, translation, and basic commentary for the most important Shinto prayer (norito). This essay is available on Amazon in Ōharaëkotoba and Izumo Yogoto.
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.
Izumo Myths I (June 2019): The first part of the myths of Izumo, including Susano’o and the Dragon, and the trials of Ōkuninushi. This essay is available on Amazon in Myths of Izumo.
Izumo Myths II (July 2019): The second part of the myths of Izumo, including Ōkuninushi and Sukunabikona, and the transfer of rulership to the ancestors of the Tennō. This essay is available on Amazon in Myths of Izumo.
Myths from the Izumo Fudoki (August 2019): Some of the myths included in the Izumo Fudoki, an eighth-century text describing the province of Izumo in western Japan (modern Shimanë Prefecture). This essay is available individually on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Izumo Fudoki.
Izumo Ōyashiro (September 2019): One of the oldest and most important jinja in Japan, with a line of high priests that claims descent from Amaterasu Ōmikami. This essay is available on Amazon in Izumo Ōyashiro and Miho Jinja
The Ritual of the Daijōsai (October 2019): The Daijōsai is an ancient Shinto ritual performed at the accession of a new Tennō. This essay describes what actually happens, as far as is generally known. This essay is available on Amazon in The Daijōsai.
The Meaning of the Daijōsai (November 2019): The ritual of the Daijōsai is believed to have great significance, but there is considerable debate over what, precisely, it signifies. This essay discusses the most important suggestions. This essay is available on Amazon in The Daijōsai.
The Izumo Yogoto (December 2019): An ancient norito, recited before the Tennō by the Izumo Kokusō, the chief priest of Izumo Ōyashiro, when he took up his role. The content sheds light on ancient forms of Shinto ritual, and the Izumo traditions about the kami. This essay is available on Amazon in Ōharaëkotoba and Izumo Yogoto.
Miho Jinja (January 2020): A jinja in the ancient province of Izumo (modern Shimanë prefecture) that hosts some ancient and distinctive matsuri. This essay is available on Amazon in Izumo Ōyashiro and Miho Jinja.
Mirrors, Swords, and Jewels (February 2020): These are the items that make up the Sacred Treasures of the Tennō, and this essay discusses their significance within Shinto, both in general and as the Sacred Treasures. It is available on Gumroad
Shinto for Non-Japanese (March 2020): Is it all right for non-Japanese people to practise Shinto? (Yes) And how can they do it? (That’s a bit more complicated.) This essay is available on Gumroad as an individual essay, and on Amazon in Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese.
Descent from the Heavens (April 2020): Further Shinto myths, concerning the descent of the ancestor of the Tennō from the heavens to found the imperial line. This essay is available on Amazon in Imperial Origin Myths.
Experimental Theology (May 2020): Something a bit different: an experimental investigation of Shinto. The essay is available on Gumroad.
Meiji Jingū (June 2020): Meiji Jingū is the most popular jinja for hatsumōdë in Japan, with around three million visitors a year. It is also only a century old, having been dedicated in 1920 to enshrine Meiji Tennō. This essay is available on Gumroad.
The Hyūga Generations (July 2020): The myths told about the ancestors of the Tennō from the period when they lived in Kyushu, before moving to central Japan. This essay is available on Amazon in Imperial Origin Myths.
Shinto Without Essence (August 2020): An explanation of why it is so hard to define Shinto, to say when it started, and distinguish things that are Shinto from things that are not. This essay is available on Amazon in Explaining Shinto.
Practising Shinto Outside Japan (September 2020): A companion piece to Shinto for Non-Japanese, focusing on the practical things one can do to practise Shinto outside Japan. This essay is available on Gumroad as an individual essay, and on Amazon in Shinto Practice for Non-Japanese.
The Kumamoto Earthquakes (October 2020): In April 2016, Kumamoto Prefecture in southwestern Kyushu was struck by two powerful earthquakes in quick succession, causing a lot of damage. This included damage to jinja, and over the following four years there have been notable recovery efforts. This essay is available on Gumroad.
Jinmu’s Journey (November 2020): The myths telling the story of the journey of Jinmu, the first Tennō, from Kyushu to Yamato, in central Japan. This includes the story of Yata-no-Karasu, the crow sent to guide Jinmu through the mountains of Kumano. This essay is available on Amazon in Myths of Jinmu Tennō.
Translating Shinto (December 2020): Many words used in Shinto are difficult to translate into English. This essay explains why, and gives examples of words that are hard to translate, with a discussion of how I handle the problem. This essay is available on Amazon in Explaining Shinto.
The Conquest of Yamato (January 2021): The myths of Jinmu’s conquest of Yamato, which include some valuable descriptions of early Shinto rituals. This essay is available on Amazon in Myths of Jinmu Tennō.
Shinto Ethics (February 2021): Although ethics is not a central concern of Shinto, priests and the Shinto establishment do have something to say about it. This essay collects what I have been able to gather about their ethical positions from their public statements and actions. It is available on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Shinto on Ethics and Death.
The Accession of Jinmu Tennō (March 2021): After Kamuyamatoiwarëbiko had conquered the Yamato region of Japan, he became the first Tennō, Jinmu. The legends tell interesting stories about his wife, and about the rituals that were performed at his palace. This essay is available on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Myths of the First Emperors.
The Archaeology of Shinto (April 2021): The written history of Shinto starts in the early eighth century, but there is reason to think that the practice goes back to the fourth century. This essay introduces some of the most important archaeological evidence for that. It is available on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of The Early History of Shinto.
Myths of Sujin Tennō (May 2021): In the traditional list, Sujin Tennō is the tenth Tennō, although he has a title that means “First Tennō to Rule the Country”. The myths of his reign have a lot to say about the kami and Shinto rituals, on topics including including sacred marriages, oracles, and sacred treasures. This essay is available on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Myths of the First Emperors.
Early Matsuri (June 2021): What were the earliest Shinto rituals, “matsuri”, like? Shinto seems to have begun around the fourth century, and developed in the fifth century. Around the turn of the eighth century, there is evidence for major changes in the Shinto rituals performed by the Japanese state, which in turn influenced other matsuri. So, the question for this essay is what we can say about matsuri between the fourth and seventh centuries. All of our written sources are from the eighth century or later, but there are reasons to think that some of them provide information about earlier practices. This essay looks at the evidence and what can be said. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of The Early History of Shinto.
Myths of Suinin Tennō (July 2021): During the reign of Suinin Tennō, the son and heir of Sujin Tennō, there are myths concerning the foundation of Jingū at Isë, the use of divination to find the cause of and cure for an Imperial prince’s situation, and a prince from the mainland who brought sacred treasures and became the ancestor of a Tennō. This essay retells and discusses them. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Suinin Tennō and Yamato Takeru.
The Jingikan (August 2021): The Jingikan was the department of the ancient Japanese bureaucracy responsible for rituals honouring the kami. This essay includes a translation of the Jingiryō, the laws governing the Jingikan, and discusses the staff of the Jingikan, the kami they honoured, and the rites they performed. The most important priests were girls known as Mikannagi, and although they venerated the kami on behalf of the Tennō, the many kami they honoured did not include Amaterasu Ōmikami. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Yamato Takeru (September 2021): Yamato Takeru was the son of one Tennō and the father of another, but not a Tennō himself, at least not in the central myths. There are many stories about him, and while they are individually interesting, there are a lot of mysteries about them, and about how they fit together. This essay retells these myths, with some commentary. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Suinin Tennō and Yamato Takeru.
Kashima Jingū (October 2021): Kashima Jingū is an ancient jinja in Ibaraki Prefecture, east of Tokyo, and enshrines Takëmikazuchi, a kami who plays an important role in the legends in the Kojiki and Nihonshoki. Kashima Jingū has been a very important jinja since records began, and remains important today. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
A Review of Yasukuni Fundamentalism (November 2021): This is an essay review of an academic book, Yasukuni Fundamentalism by Mark R. Mullins. While I believe he has got the facts right, I think that there are profound problems with his interpretation, based on a misunderstanding of Shinto. In the review, I explain why. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Oracles of Okinagatarashihimë (December 2021): Okinagatarashihimë is a very significant figure in the earliest recorded Shinto myths. She ruled Japan for almost 70 years, and is venerated as one of the Hachiman kami and one of the Sumiyoshi kami even today. Nevertheless, she is little known even in Japan. This essay recounts the first half of the legends about her. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Myths of Okinagatarashihimë.
Conquests of Okinagatarashihimë (January 2022): This essay concludes the legends of Okinagatarashihimë, a shaman-queen of ancient Japan who may be based on a historical figure recorded in Chinese documents. In these legends, she conquers the Korean peninsula with the aid of the kami and enshrines those kami at several jinja, all of which remain important today. Her independence from any male figures, and her association with northern Kyushu and with water, raise interesting questions about the origins of her myths. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Myths of Okinagatarashihimë.
Ritual Movements in Shinto (February 2022): The movements to be made during Shinto rituals are specified in great detail, from precisely how deeply to bow to which foot to move first when you start to move. Learning to do them naturally is an important part of priestly training. This essay describes the principles behind the rules, and some of the specific rules, to give an idea of how priests move during a matsuri. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Shinto Liturgy.
Shinto Liturgy (March 2022): The structure of a Shinto matsuri is defined in as much detail as the movements, from the place where the chief priest should sit to the order in which people should enter the ritual space. This essay describes the actions for a standard Shinto matsuri, as performed at a jinja that is affiliated to Jinja Honchō. It is available for purchase on Gumroad individually, and on Amazon as part of Shinto Liturgy.
Tennō and Kami (April 2022): The later sections of the Kojiki and Nihonshoki sound a lot more like history, and the consensus of contemporary scholars is that some parts are good evidence for what actually happened. More interesting for our purposes are the scattered mythical stories, which are gathered in this essay, a miscellaneous collection of legends. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Jinja and the Great East Japan Earthquake: Miyagi (May 2022): The Great East Japan Earthquake of 11th March 2011 devastated the Pacific coast of northeast Japan. Jinja did not escape the damage, and this essay provides some insight into what happened in Miyagi Prefecture. It starts with an overview of the situation across the prefecture, and then looks at two jinja and one restoration activity in more detail. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Jingū Taima (June 2022): Jingū Taima are the ofuda of Jingū, in Isë, the main jinja enshrining Amaterasu Ōmikami. The Shinto establishment believes that every household in Japan should have, and venerate, a Jingū Taima, and despite decades of decline, over eight million are distributed every year. Even though they are very common, their history and significance are not straightforward. This essay places them in context, and explains their role in current practice. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
More Myths from the Izumo Fudoki (July 2022): The Izumo-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Izumo, compiled by imperial order in the early eighth century. This essay is my second collection of myths from that volume, covering the remaining major myths, notes on common features of mentions of the kami, and a discussion of the list of jinja. It is available for purchase individually on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Izumo Fudoki.
Myths from the Hitachi Fudoki Part One (August 2022): The Hitachi-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Hitachi, modern Ibaraki Prefecture, in the early eighth century. It contains a substantial number of myths from the area, and this essay, the first of two, covers myths about the kami of Kashima Jingū, the kami of Mt Fuji and Mt Tsukuba, two lovers who transform, and a kami associated with weaving. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Hitachi Fudoki.
Myths from the Hitachi Fudoki Part Two (September 2022): The Hitachi-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Hitachi, modern Ibaraki Prefecture, in the early eighth century. It contains a substantial number of myths from the area, and this essay, the second of two, covers myths about conflicts with kami, a child of a kami in the form of a snake, local legends about Yamato Takeru, and a handful of shorter tales. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Hitachi Fudoki.
Shinto, Death, and the Afterlife (October 2022): Shinto has much less to say about death and the afterlife than many people might expect of a religion, but that does not mean that it says nothing. Similarly, most people in Japan have Buddhist funerals and honour their ancestors with Buddhist rituals, but there are Shinto rituals for all these things. Finally, some jinja do enshrine dead people, although it makes much less difference to the practices there than you might think. This essay provides a general introduction to the topic of death in Shinto. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Shinto on Ethics and Death.
Myths from the Harima Fudoki Part One (November 2022): The Harima-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Harima, part of modern Hyōgo Prefecture, in the early eighth century. This essay is the first of a series covering the myths found in this text, and covers the stories associated with the Imperial family, with a particular focus on stories about Okinagatarashihimë. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Harima Fudoki.
Myths from the Harima Fudoki Part Two (December 2022): The Harima-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Harima, part of modern Hyōgo Prefecture, in the early eighth century. This essay is the second of a series covering the myths found in this text, and covers the stories associated with four important kami mentioned in many locations: Ōnamuchi, Amënohiboko, Ashiharashiko’o, and Iwa Ōkami. Some of these kami may, or may not, be the same as kami mentioned in other myths. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Harima Fudoki.
Myths from the Harima Fudoki Part Three (January 2023): The Harima-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Harima, part of modern Hyōgo Prefecture, in the early eighth century. This essay is the third and last of a series covering the myths found in this text, and covers the miscellaneous stories that did not fit in the first two essays. It includes myths on the relationship between kami and immigrants, and myths in which blood plays an unusually prominent role. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Harima Fudoki.
Portrayals of Kami in Manga (February 2023): Shinto kami are not an uncommon feature of manga, as one might expect from their significance to Japanese culture in general. This essay looks at the ways they are portrayed in an unsystematic sample of eight manga series: how they are drawn, how they speak, and how they are shown as behaving. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Shinto Portrayals in Manga.
Myths from the Bungo Fudoki (March 2023): The Bungo-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Bungo, most of modern Ōita Prefecture, in the early eighth century. Although it survives in more than fragments quoted elsewhere, the surviving text is very short, and makes surprisingly few explicit references to kami or jinja, even given its brevity. This essay recounts the myths from the text that are of most interest in a Shinto context. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Bungo & Hizen Fudoki.
Myths from the Hizen Fudoki (April 2023): The Hizen-no-Kuni Fudoki is a gazetteer of the province of Hizen, covering much of modern Nagasaki and Saga Prefectures, in the early eighth century. The surviving text is quite short, but there are many references to kami, including early examples of customs that became important later, myths that have interesting parallels to other surviving tales, and brief references that suggest that many legends have been lost. It is available for purchase on Gumroad and on Amazon as part of Myths from the Bungo & Hizen Fudoki.
Myths from the Yamashiro, Yamato, and Iga Fudoki (May 2023): Only five of the eighth-century Fudoki survive as independent works, but quotations from and references to many others are found in later texts. This essay recounts the legends of kami found in the fragments of three Fudoki: those for Yamashiro, Yamato, and Iga Provinces. These myths include the foundation legends for the Kamo Jinja in Kyoto, and for the first Inari Jinja in Japan. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Myths from the Settsu Fudoki (June 2023): Although the Settsu-no-Kuni Fudoki does not survive as an independent work, a lot of quotations from it do survive, so it is possible to write a whole essay about it. It is particularly notable for including several myths referring to Okinagatarashihimë, some of which refer to her as Tennō. One of these is an alternative foundation myth for Sumiyoshi Taisha, an important jinja in modern Osaka. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Myths from the Isë and Owari Fudoki (July 2023): Isë and Owari provinces are the sites of the jinja enshrining, respectively, the mirror and the sword from the Tennō’s sacred treasures (Jingū in Isë, and Atsuta Jingū in Owari). The surviving fragments from the Fudoki include myths about the foundation of those jinja, as well as other legends that fit in with the broader patterns of early Shinto mythology. It is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Haraë: Forms of Purification (August 2023): Haraë, ritual purification, is a central part of Shinto practice, and it takes many forms. This essay describes the most common ceremonies, and discusses their origins and significance. In this essay, haraë is divided into two broad types: haraë performed before approaching the kami, and haraë performed to cleanse pollution as an end in itself. From rinsing your hands before approaching the sanctuaries at a jinja to the most elaborate Ōharaë, purification is at the heart of Shinto. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Fudoki Fragments 1 (September 2023): The surviving fragments of some Fudoki are very brief, and this essay covers those from the Suruga, Izu, Ōmi, Mino, and Michinoku Fudoki. As might be expected, this is a rather miscellaneous collection. Among other brief stories, it includes three stories of marriages between humans and supernatural beings — two between men and women who descended from the heavens, and one that appears to describe a hereditary line of priestesses considered to be the wives of the kami. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Myths from the Wakasa, Echizen, and Tango Fudoki (October 2023): While the surviving fragments from the Wakasa and Echizen Fudoki are very brief, and probably spurious, those from the Tango Fudoki are substantial, and include the earliest version of one of the most famous folktales in Japan: Urashima Tarō, who is carried off to a wonderland by a turtle-princess, and finds that centuries have passed back home when he returns. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Mishima Taisha (November 2023): Mishima Taisha is an important jinja in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, on the old Tōkaidō, the main road between eastern and western Japan. The origins and myths of its kami are complex and a little obscure, but it became closely associated with samurai and the shogunates from the later twelfth century, and was the Ichinomiya of Izu Province. This essay describes the contemporary precincts and distinctive matsuri, and gives a brief account of what is known of its history. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Fudoki Fragments 2 (December 2023): This essay covers brief surviving fragments from a large number of Fudoki: those for Hōki, Harima, Mimasaka, Bizen, Bingo, Awa, and Iyo provinces, in western Japan. Most of these stories are short, and obscure even in Japan, but one, the tale of Somin Shōrai, is famous as the origin story for the custom of using a ring of woven reeds (chi-no-wa) to ward off epidemics. There are also some examples of very similar stories attributed to different areas, suggesting that certain patterns of myth may have been widespread in ancient times. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Miyakëki Part One (January 2024): The Miyakëki is a text reporting the legends of the Izu Mishima tradition. The Izu Peninsula, to the west of Tokyo, and the Izu Islands, stretching south from the peninsula, formed one of the ancient provinces of Japan, and jinja dedicated to Mishima Daimyōjin and associated kami are found throughout the region. The historical centre of the tradition was the islands, and specifically Miyakëjima, but the text forming the basis for these essays was copied by a priest of an important jinja at the south of the peninsula, about 200 years ago. The legends themselves may go back centuries more, possibly to the thirteenth century, or even earlier. The myths show clear influence of Buddhism, but are also the foundation myths of a number of locally important jinja, enshrining kami who have little connection to the myths of the Imperial court. This essay provides a close paraphrase of the early parts of the text. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Miyakëki Part Two (February 2024): The Miyakëki is a text reporting the legends of the Izu Mishima tradition. The Izu Peninsula, to the west of Tokyo, and the Izu Islands, stretching south from the peninsula, formed one of the ancient provinces of Japan, and jinja dedicated to Mishima Daimyōjin and associated kami are found throughout the region. The historical centre of the tradition was the islands, and specifically Miyakëjima, but the text forming the basis for these essays was copied by a priest of an important jinja at the south of the peninsula, about 200 years ago. The legends themselves may go back centuries more, possibly to the thirteenth century, or even earlier. The myths show clear influence of Buddhism, but are also the foundation myths of a number of locally important jinja, enshrining kami who have little connection to the myths of the Imperial court. This essay provides a close paraphrase of the middle parts of the text. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Miyakëki Part Three (March 2024): The Miyakëki is a text reporting the legends of the Izu Mishima tradition. The Izu Peninsula, to the west of Tokyo, and the Izu Islands, stretching south from the peninsula, formed one of the ancient provinces of Japan, and jinja dedicated to Mishima Daimyōjin and associated kami are found throughout the region. The historical centre of the tradition was the islands, and specifically Miyakëjima, but the text forming the basis for these essays was copied by a priest of an important jinja at the south of the peninsula, about 200 years ago. The legends themselves may go back centuries more, possibly to the thirteenth century, or even earlier. The myths show clear influence of Buddhism, but are also the foundation myths of a number of locally important jinja, enshrining kami who have little connection to the myths of the Imperial court. This essay provides a close paraphrase of the later middle parts of the text. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Miyakëki Part Four (April 2024): The Miyakëki is a text reporting the legends of the Izu Mishima tradition. The Izu Peninsula, to the west of Tokyo, and the Izu Islands, stretching south from the peninsula, formed one of the ancient provinces of Japan, and jinja dedicated to Mishima Daimyōjin and associated kami are found throughout the region. The historical centre of the tradition was the islands, and specifically Miyakëjima, but the text forming the basis for these essays was copied by a priest of an important jinja at the south of the peninsula, about 200 years ago. The legends themselves may go back centuries more, possibly to the thirteenth century, or even earlier. The myths show clear influence of Buddhism, but are also the foundation myths of a number of locally important jinja, enshrining kami who have little connection to the myths of the Imperial court. This essay provides a close paraphrase of the final parts of the text. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Shinto in Tokyo Part One (May 2024): The first part of an introduction to Shinto through visits to six jinja in Tokyo. It is available on Amazon and Gumroad as part of Shinto in Person: Tokyo.
Shinto in Tokyo Part Two (June 2024): The second part of an introduction to Shinto through visits to six jinja in Tokyo. It is available on Amazon and Gumroad as part of Shinto in Person: Tokyo
Shinto in Tokyo Part Three (July 2024): The third part of an introduction to Shinto through visits to six jinja in Tokyo. It is available on Amazon and Gumroad as part of Shinto in Person: Tokyo
Fudoki Myths from Tosa and Tsukushi (August 2024): Translations and commentaries for myths found in surviving fragments of the Tosa-no-Kuni Fudoki, and in the Fudoki for Chikuzen and Chikugo, the provinces into which Tsukushi was divided. While a lot of local kami are mentioned, there are a lot of myths about Okinagatarashihimë-no-Mikoto, an important figure in the early myths who is less well known today than she probably deserved. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Fudoki Myths from Kyushu (September 2024): Translations and commentaries for myths of interest to Shinto found in the surviving fragments for the Fudoki covering most of Kyushu (excluding Tsukushi, which was included in the previous essay). These myths are very varied, but have a lot of elements in common with those found elsewhere in ancient sources. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.
Shinto in Shizuoka Part One (October 2024): The first part of an introduction to Shinto through visits to (probably) six jinja in Shizuoka Prefecture. This essay is not currently available to non-patrons, but when the whole work is complete it will be put on sale.
Ikonahimë-no-Mikoto Jinja (November 2024): Ikonahimë-no-Mikoto Jinja, generally known as Shirahama (“White Beach”) Jinja from its location, is possibly the oldest jinja on the Izu Peninsula in eastern Shizuoka Prefecture, to the west of Tokyo. Twelve hundred years ago, it was granted the highest honours and respect by the central government, but now it is of purely local importance, and we know almost nothing of its main kami. It still has distinctive matsuri and interesting practices, and the mysteries around some of its features make it all the more intriguing. The essay is available for purchase on Gumroad.