Unlocking the Power of Prayer in Japan: A Spiritual Journey
When traveling through Japan, the sound is unmistakable: the resonant clap of hands, the deep tolling of a bronze bell, and the soft murmur of wishes spoken to the wind. This is the sound of Inori—prayer. Unlike the often solemn or strictly dogmatic approach found in some Western religious traditions, the “Power of Prayer” (Inori no Chikara) in Japan is a tangible, daily practice deeply woven into the cultural fabric. It is an interaction with the divine that bridges the gap between the mundane and the sacred, offering travelers a profound way to connect with the spirit of the land.
Introduction
To understand the Japanese concept of prayer, one must look beyond the act of simply asking for favors. In Japan, prayer is a method of purification and a declaration of intent. Whether it is a salaryman bowing briefly before a small roadside shrine on his way to work, or a student hanging a wooden plaque (ema) before high school entrance exams, Inori is ubiquitous.
For the visitor, engaging with this spiritual side of Japan transforms a sightseeing trip into a cultural pilgrimage. It is not necessary to adhere to a specific faith to appreciate the power of these rituals; one only needs an open heart and a willingness to respect the silence and the sounds of the sacred spaces.
Origins: Kami and Kotodama
The roots of Japanese prayer lie in Shinto, the indigenous spirituality of Japan, and its harmonious syncretism with Buddhism. Shinto is animistic, believing that Kami (spirits or gods) reside in all things—mountains, rivers, trees, and stones.
The Spirit of Words
Crucial to understanding the power of prayer in Japan is the ancient concept of Kotodama (the spirit of words). Ancient Japanese culture held the belief that words themselves possessed spiritual power. To speak a prayer aloud, or to write it down, was to give it life and the potential to manifest in reality. This belief persists today; when people purchase Omamori (amulets) or draw Omikuji (fortune slips), they are engaging with the physical manifestation of prayer, carrying the blessing or the warning with them.
Legend: The Prayer that Returned the Sun
The power of prayer is dramatically illustrated in one of Japan’s oldest and most significant myths: the story of Amano-Iwato (The Heavenly Rock Cave).
According to mythology, Amaterasu Omikami, the Sun Goddess, became outraged by the violent antics of her brother, Susanoo. In her grief and anger, she retreated into a cave and sealed the entrance with a giant rock, plunging the world into eternal darkness and chaos. Crops failed, and evil spirits roamed freely.
Desperate to restore light, the myriad of gods (the Yaoyorozu no Kami) gathered outside the cave. They did not simply wait; they performed a ritual. They hung jewels and mirrors on a sacred tree and performed a raucous, spirited dance. The goddess Ame-no-Uzume danced so wildly that the other gods roared with laughter.
Piqued by the noise and the collective energy of the gods’ ritual—essentially a form of active prayer—Amaterasu peeked out. Seizing the moment, the strong god Ame-no-Tajikarao pulled the stone away, and the sun returned to the world. This legend underscores a fundamental Japanese belief: prayer is not passive waiting; it is a communal, active effort that can alter the state of the universe.
Modern Culture: Prayer in Daily Life
In modern Japan, the power of prayer is often secularized but remains potent. It is most visible during Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year. Millions of Japanese people stand in freezing temperatures for hours to offer their first prayers, tossing coins into the offering box (saisen-bako) to secure luck for the year ahead.
However, it also exists in quieter moments:
- Itadakimasu: The phrase said before meals is a form of prayer, offering gratitude to the plants and animals that gave their lives and the farmers who harvested them.
- Ema Plaques: At shrines, you will see walls covered in small wooden boards. These contain written prayers ranging from “I want to pass my math test” to “I wish for world peace.” Writing these is a cathartic act of releasing a wish to the Kami.
Traveler’s Tips: How to Pray at a Shrine
To experience the power of prayer yourself, visit a Shinto shrine (marked by a Torii gate). Here is the proper etiquette to show respect and participate in the ritual:
- The Purification: At the water pavilion (Chozuya), rinse your left hand, then your right, then your mouth, and finally the handle of the ladle.
- The Offering: Approach the main hall. Gently toss a coin into the box. A 5-yen coin (go-en) is considered lucky as it sounds like the word for “connection.”
- The Bell: If there is a rope and bell, ring it firmly to signal your presence to the Kami.
- The Ritual:
- Bow deeply twice.
- Clap your hands twice. (This noise calls the deity and clears the air).
- Keep your hands pressed together and offer your prayer silently.
- Bow deeply once more before leaving.
Note: At Buddhist temples, the process is different. You generally bow and pray silently without clapping.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in delving deeper into the mythology and history of Japanese prayer, the following ancient texts provide the foundation for these beliefs:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Compiled in 712 AD, this is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan and contains the myth of Amaterasu and the cave.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, this text provides a more detailed historical account and further context on ancient rituals.
- Norito: A Translation of the Ancient Japanese Ritual Prayers by Donald L. Philippi (for academic study on the structure of Shinto liturgy).