Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Roots
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
Markings: No markings
A richly informative work of religious studies and cultural history, Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Roots presents a comprehensive introduction to Shinto, the ancient indigenous religion of Japan that has shaped the nation's identity, aesthetics, and worldview for millennia. Stuart D.B. Picken illuminates the core beliefs, rituals, and sacred traditions of Shinto with scholarly precision and genuine reverence, tracing its origins from prehistoric animism through its complex relationship with Buddhism and its role in modern Japanese society. The text details the significance of kami — the divine spirits believed to inhabit natural phenomena, ancestors, and sacred places — and illustrates how these beliefs permeate everyday Japanese life, from household shrines to grand national festivals. Written in an accessible yet authoritative tone, Picken bridges the gap between academic rigor and general readability, making this an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the spiritual and cultural foundations of Japan. Whether approached as a scholarly reference or a thoughtful cultural primer, the work stands as one of the most lucid and respectful Western accounts of a tradition that remains central to Japanese civilization.
Author: Stuart D.B. Picken
Format: Hardback
Genre: Religion
Condition remarks:
Book: Good
Jacket: Worn/faded, no tears
Pages: Good
Markings: No markings
A richly informative work of religious studies and cultural history, Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Roots presents a comprehensive introduction to Shinto, the ancient indigenous religion of Japan that has shaped the nation's identity, aesthetics, and worldview for millennia. Stuart D.B. Picken illuminates the core beliefs, rituals, and sacred traditions of Shinto with scholarly precision and genuine reverence, tracing its origins from prehistoric animism through its complex relationship with Buddhism and its role in modern Japanese society. The text details the significance of kami — the divine spirits believed to inhabit natural phenomena, ancestors, and sacred places — and illustrates how these beliefs permeate everyday Japanese life, from household shrines to grand national festivals. Written in an accessible yet authoritative tone, Picken bridges the gap between academic rigor and general readability, making this an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the spiritual and cultural foundations of Japan. Whether approached as a scholarly reference or a thoughtful cultural primer, the work stands as one of the most lucid and respectful Western accounts of a tradition that remains central to Japanese civilization.