AboutTim Clark Expertise I can answer questions about Japanese religion, specifically, Shinto, its history and practice. I can also answer questions about Japanese mythology relating the the Kami, and more precisely their relation to the ancient books Nihon-Shouki and Kojiki.
Experience I have studied the Japanese Cosmology of creation stories from the Nihon-Shouki and Kojiki for several years, and additionally I lived and worked for at the only Japanese Shinto shrine in the US, as an assistant to the Priest.
Education/Credentials Currently enrolled in a BA program of Education at University of South Florida.
Awards and Honors 2 Year Scholarship to Bevill State College for 1st Place in state-wide World History test, 2003.
Expert: Tim Clark Date: 10/9/2007 Subject: symbolism
Question hi there!!
i recently read that bread, in Japan, represents the body, and i was wondering if you knew what 'the mind' is represented by, or is symbolised by?
this is for a university project, your help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
thank you
Answer Well, I will answer your question from the perspective of Shinto because Shinto is the basis of Japanese thinking. Bread as is known in the west was not introduced to Japan until maybe the 16th century. So food as it symbolizes the body, mind, etc. is a little more complicated. When shinto shrines of people at home give daily offering in front of the kami, or kamidana which is the place in the house where the kami are enshrined in a small box, this offereing is called kensen and and it consists of the ozen (tray) with rice, water, salt and sake. The meaning of these is kind of, Rice is that which sustains the body, water is what gives life, salt preserves things and sake is, well, just for fun and enjoyment. So it is not really something that "represents" the body or mind, the thinking when giving these offerings is that these are the things necessary for life, so you are giving a little back to the kami... afterwards of course you can use these ofereing for other things. Sometimes fish or vegetables are used, and these are eaten afterwards.
I know what could help however, this book called Kami-no-Michi means way of the kami, it is online and was written by the 96th generation priest of the shrine called Tsubaki O-kami Yashiro in Mie, Japan. In this link to the book he talkes about anything you would ever need to know about the mind and boy related to shinto ans japanese thinking. http://www.csuchico.edu/~gwilliams/tsa/Kami_no_Michi_ToC.html
I hope it helps, please don't forget to rate me on all experts!!!
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Tim
