Customer Reviews

Full of insight, but not necessarily for the casual reader. - By: M. J. Webber, 17 Aug 2006
Shinto: The Way Home would appear to be aimed at the serious student rather than the casual reader who merely wants to understand a little more about a different way of life. It explores the history of Shinto from prehistory to the current day, & goes into much detail about "feeling Shinto" - the waysin which it is possible to regard & practice Shinto.

I was a little disappointed that the book did not really address all the waysin which Shinto permeates Japanese life, though it does relate a typical visit to a Shinto shrine. The book does thoroughly discuss Shinto philosophy however, & explains the interesting fact that although the Western world regards Shinto as a religion, the Japanese generally don't. It also explainsin detail how a philosophy essentially based upon an appreciation of life, beauty, & mystery could be distorted by the state into a force that drove Japan to declare bloody war on the rest of the world.

I purchased this book as part of my research for a short story, needing to know how the Shinto way is practiced & what its beliefs are. Fairly soon I realised that S:TWH was not going to be the best text for that particular role, but I persevered a few pages at a time (I didn't find it an easy read!), & came out at the far side feeling pleased that I had read it. I learned a lot.