Note: I don't claim to be an expert on Shintoism, and I don't mean for this to be a comprehensive or exhaustive page on the subject. This is some basic information in a FAQ format designed to help answer some questions you might have concerning Japanese traditions alluded to in Sailormoon related to Shintoism.

#1: What is Shinto, anyways??

Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan, simply put. It is based around a sense of harmony between many worlds, and suggests that there are spirits, or kami which inhabit every aspect of nature, and supply humans with all emotions, especially our strengths and fears. This belief follows that the world has it's own energy which we can draw from. The fact that Hino Rei (Sailormars) is a Shinto priestess implies that the series draws on some of its mythology and legends from Shintoism.

#2: Does Rei worship that bonfire thing?

The straw/rope cord twisted to the left with ritually folded white paper tied to it denotes an object's religious significance. This cord is tied around objects possessing ancient spirits which deserve respect, such as trees over 100 years old, or placed around a sacred fire. The white papers are prayers addressed to the kami of the object, showing respect for it. Shinto Shrines (Jinja) were set up around these highly-respected kami, just as Rei's shrine, the Hikawa Jinja, was set up around a very important fire kami. Rei draws her power and energy as a Sailor Senshi from the spirit of the fire. Occasionally, she also combines her talents as a Shinto priestess (technically a miko) with her fire-soul to make a very powerful attack.

#3: What is that piece of paper she throws at people?

As a Shinto priestess, Rei carries evil ward-off scrolls inscribed with the kanjii for "Evil Spirits Begone!" Because of the respect she shows on a daily basis for the Hikawa Jinja's fire kami, he gives her the power to use these scrolls to banish evil which might harm her. Actually these scrolls usually just freeze her opponent in mid-stride, but as mentioned before can be combined with her attacks as a Sailor Senshi for an awesome attack.

#4: What is Rei doing when she's chanting in front of the fire?

Rei can call upon the kami at will, usually with a series of mudras or ritual hand gestures, paired with meaningful words (specifically "Rin Pyou Tou Sha Kai Jin Retsu Zai Zen"). Mudras came to Japan from Buddhists from India (by way of China and Korea). These sacred rituals are necessary for calling on the powers of the kami. Households, coincidentally, may also possess kami in the form of local nature kami or ancestors; the resident family pays homage to these kami as well, ritually offering them rice, fruit, incense, or votive plaques.

#5: Wait, did you say Buddhism?

The wonderful thing about Shintoism is that, because of its basic philosophy of the harmony of dissimilar parts, the Japanese can assimilate and absorb many other cultures (including other religions) and still maintain their core identity. Many Japanese are Buddhist and Shinto, or Christian and Shinto, and some simply Shinto. You'll notice sometimes that some of the Senshi (Haruka I've noticed most often) will wear cross necklaces. Some of the girls also celebrate Christmas. But you can still see them at the Hikawa Jinja tying prayers to the branches of trees, and paying respects to the local kami.

#6: Where did the creator of Sailormoon get ideas for all those daimons and the Senshi's powers?

In this case, it is very easy to see the influence of Shintoism in the series. Many of the daimon (take the S-season for example) reside in certain objects, like a cat puzzle, or a pair of glass slippers. When called upon by the Death Busters, the evil kami shows itself. When Sailormoon destroys them, you can see the spirit dissipating into the atmosphere, having been banished from its residence. As to the Senshi's powers, not all of them are Shinto priestesses, so how do they get their powers? Like Rei, they were created with the ability to draw power and energy from the earth. For example: Sailorneptune can summon power from the oceans, and Sailorjupiter can summon power from thunder and trees.

#7: What are those weird -shaped structures they're always showing in scenes at the Hikawa Jinja?

Those are torii. They're large, usually bright red gates that are built at the shrine entrance, and sometimes built in long rows extending into the forest. Torii reinforce the Japanese belief that we share this world with invisible forces. They are symbolic entrances into the supernatural world of the kami, and are seen all over Japan.

Have any more questions you'd like me to try to answer for you? Confused about some of the topics on this page? E-mail me and I'd be glad to try to answer your questions as best I can, but please remember I'm not an expert, and my knowledge is limited. ^.^;

Works Cited

Delay, Nelly. The Art and Culture of Japan. New York: Discoveries series, Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers; 1999.

Smith, Jonathan Z. Dictionary of Religion; "Shinto" pp. 989-991. San Francisco: HarperCollins Publishers; 1995.