Shinto Funerals: The Sacred Rites of Shinsosai Explained
When travelers think of death rituals in Japan, images of incense, Buddhist chanting, and elaborate altars often come to mind. Indeed, over 90% of funerals in Japan follow Buddhist traditions. However, there exists a much older, indigenous perspective on death deeply rooted in the soil of Japan itself: the Shinsosai (神葬祭), or Shinto funeral.
Unlike Buddhist rites which focus on the afterlife, reincarnation, or reaching a paradise, Shinto funerals focus on the transformation of the deceased into a guardian spirit, or kami, who remains to watch over the family. For the cultural traveler and the history enthusiast, understanding Shinsosai offers a profound glimpse into the Japanese soul and its relationship with nature and ancestry.
The Origins of Shinsosai
While Shinto is Japan’s native spirituality, distinct Shinto funeral rites were overshadowed for centuries. Following the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century, a syncretism known as Shinbutsu-shugo occurred, where Buddhist rites largely took over the domain of death. For over a millennium, Shinto was associated with life and celebration (weddings, birth), while Buddhism handled death.
It was not until the Edo period, and specifically the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, that Shinto funerals saw a significant revival. The government enforced a separation of Shinto and Buddhism (Shinbutsu-bunri), attempting to establish Shinto as the state religion. Although Buddhist funerals regained dominance post-WWII due to the established “danka” (parishioner) system, Shinsosai remains a vital tradition for families with strong Shinto lineages and priests.
Legend and Mythology: The Concept of Impurity
To understand why Shinto funerals are rare and conducted differently, one must look to Japanese mythology. In Shinto, death is associated with kegare (impurity or pollution). This is not a moral judgment, but a spiritual state that must be cleansed.
The roots of this belief are found in the tale of Izanagi and Izanami, the creator deities. According to legend, when Izanami died and went to Yomi-no-kuni (the Land of the Dead), her husband Izanagi pursued her. Upon seeing her decomposing body, he was horrified by the impurity of death. He fled back to the world of the living and performed intense purification rituals (misogi) to cleanse himself of the contact with death.
Because of this mythological precedent, Shinto funerals are almost never held within the precincts of a shrine. A shrine is a dwelling for the kami and must remain pure. Bringing a body into a shrine would pollute the sacred space. Instead, Shinsosai ceremonies are held at the home of the deceased or at secular funeral halls.
Modern Culture and The Ceremony
A Shinto funeral is a solemn, dignified affair marked by simplicity and the aesthetics of purity (white wood, paper streamers). The primary goal is to transfer the spirit of the deceased into a reiji (spirit vessel), effectively turning them into a guardian deity for the household.
Key steps in the ceremony include:
- Kitsugen-no-gi: The announcement of death to the ancestors.
- Yu-kan: The purification of the body with hot water.
- Sentrei-sai: The pivotal ritual where the spirit is transferred from the body to the spirit vessel. The lights are extinguished to allow the spirit to move in darkness.
- Tamagushi-hoten: Instead of burning incense (shoko), mourners offer a tamagushi—a branch of the sacred Sakaki tree decorated with paper (shide)—to the spirit.
The atmosphere is distinct from Buddhist funerals; rather than the rhythmic chanting of sutras, Shinto priests recite norito (prayers) in classical Japanese, praising the virtues of the deceased and asking them to guard the family.
Traveler’s Tips: Etiquette for Shinsosai
If you are invited to a Shinto funeral while in Japan, the etiquette differs slightly from the more common Buddhist ceremonies.
- The Offering: Bring a condolence money envelope (koden). However, avoid envelopes with lotus flowers (Buddhist symbol). Use a plain white envelope or one with silver/white cords. The text should read Gosen-zen (御榊料) or Tamagushi-ryo (玉串料).
- The Clap: In Shinto shrines, you clap twice loudly. However, at a funeral, you perform the Shinobite (silent clap). bring your hands together but stop just before they touch, making no sound. This signifies mourning.
- Dress Code: Formal black attire is standard, similar to Western and Buddhist customs. Beads (juzu) are not used.
- Offering the Branch: When offering the tamagushi, receive it from the priest, rotate it clockwise so the stem points toward the altar, and place it gently. Bow twice, clap silently twice, and bow once more.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the mythological foundations and historical context of Japanese death rituals, the following texts are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain or Donald L. Philippi. Contains the myth of Izanagi and Izanami.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Offers parallel myths and historical records of early Japan.
- Shinto: The Way Home by Thomas P. Kasulis: A philosophical look at Shinto intimacy and rituals.
- Ancestors and Anxiety by H.D. Harootunian: Discusses the intellectual history of the Tokugawa period and the politicization of Shinto funerals.