Category: Beliefs & Thought

2 articles

History & Origins

Architecture Origins & Systems Sacred Places Nature & Plants Beliefs & Thought

Worship & Rituals

Prayer & Worship Rituals & Ceremonies Purification Sacred Items Festivals

Myths & Legends

Gods & Deities Creation Myths Legends & Tales Sacred Creatures Shinto Cosmology

Illustration of a worshipper quietly pressing palms together before a torii gate

Beliefs & Thought

The Mystery of Kansha Mairi: Why Gratitude, Not Wishes, Is the True Heart of Shrine Worship

Shrine visits are often seen as places to make wishes, but true worship originally began with gratitude. We explore the philosophy of kansha mairi and the essence of Shinto prayer.

Shrine Secrets Editorial Team

Illustration of a worshipper bowing deeply before a shrine hall

Beliefs & Thought

The Mystery of Bowing at Shrines — The Shinto Philosophy of Reverence Hidden in a Simple Gesture

Bowing is deeply embedded in Japanese daily life. We explore how this simple gesture originated from Shinto worship and the profound meanings behind its angles and repetitions.

Shrine Secrets Editorial Team