General Description
Shinto Shrines first arose after the Yayoi period of Japanese history; in what scholars predict were created initially called yorishiro that would give Kami, or deities, a physical place to occupy. This made it to where humans could access and seek advice from the Kami. In most shrines, a shindin, which acts as a sanctuary, enshrines the Kami; but sometimes the hoden may not exist. It is speculated that there are now over 100,000 Shinto shrines in Japan. The earliest, The Imperial Ise Shrine, demonstrates the first Shinto shrines, but the design can vary wildly. There are some certain similarities though. Buddhism has influenced and has partially dictated the Shinto Shrine design.
Architectural Design
To commune with the Kami, the Shinto Shrines were erected to house them, and the architectural style was dictated by the location where it was built and the environment. The shrines were made only with wood, thatch roofing, and support beams from Hinoki bark. The roofs took on many forms, just like rest of the shrine, depending on where it was build, but have been erected with traditional Japanese sloping curves or with much straighter A-frame lines. Buddhist influence created shrines of more and more complexity and intricacy, with delicate roofings, and ornate decorations. To provide more access for the common man, some shrines were erected within villages, and developed into an architecture more like a complex, where the shrine was surrounded by a fence, with several buildings within designated for areas of worship. The consistent architectural design is building materials, wood and thatch, and consistent harmony with nature.
Harmony with Nature
Shintoinsm believes that deities, Kami, exist in every natural thing, from rocks, to trees, to the wind. Since Kami resided in nature, the shines were most traditionally erected close to areas that were “concentrated” in nature, like river heads, waterfalls, and mountains. The building materials were also brought in from nature consisting of almost only wood and thatch. Many designs were open air, so that the shrine could commune with nature, along with the worshipers.
Symbolism and Sacred Objects
Purity was essential in Shintoism. Most Shrines were re-built every so many years. For example, the Ise Shrine is re-erected every twenty years, in an area next to the previous shrine. Where the previous shrine stood, white rocks are placed everywhere, and all that remains is a small shed that contains a shin-no-mihashira, or the sacred heart. This is the most sacred object in the Ise Shrine and must remain hidden and pure at all times. In the Shinto complex, the Honden is the most sacred place, and holds the go-shintai. The go-shinai is a symbolic object that houses the numinous spirit of the Kami.
How it is Used by Worshipers
Buddhism was introduced from China and Korea by the sixth century. Buddhist and Shinto shrines were quickly integrated into the same complexes. In Shinto Complexes, you pass though a gateway, called a Torrii, that resembles the popular Japanese archway icon. After the Torii, one would enter an area of landscaping, that was used as a religions area to commune with nature, and create harmony between man and the world. Salt, water, and Fire are used in purification rituals. Water is almost always available to wash hands and rinse the mouth before entering the shrine. The Honden, or sanctuary, houses the Kami, and is the most exclusive part of the complex and is closed to the public. Priests enter to complete Shinto ceremonies and purification rituals. The worship hall was introduced later in Shinto shrine history, as an area to offer food and prayers. Later, areas were created for musical events and festivals.
Sources
http://www.religioustolerance.org/shinto.htm
http://orias.berkeley.edu/visuals/japan_visuals/shintoB.HTM#Torii
http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/ise.html
http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/japan/architecture.htm#SHINTO ARCHITECTURE
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