What are the birth customs of Shintoism?

Answer 1

Shintoism is an ancient Japanese belief system. It is called 神道 (Shin-To) because it is a system which translates as Shin (kami, which is a Japanese deification for the life force of all living things) and To (to act or to do). This roughly means the way of the gods, or the ideal of doing wha the gods teach.

The birth customs of Shinto can be varied based on the many forms of Shinto which are practiced. While there are 5 or 6 recognized forms of Shinto, we shall focus on the Shrine Shinto. In regards to the world Shintoists believe that certain deeds can cause ritual impurities. These ritual impurities can follow one into the afterlife causing you to become an Urami (an angry spirit who imposes evil on the world).

When a child is born it is possible for the child to become an Urami. This is why it is important for the child to be ritually purified. While still a child the local Shrine will adopt the child onto a "Shinto List" and add the child's name to a registry. From that point on the child will be considered Ujiko, or a family child. Once declared Ujiko the child will become Ujikami if it passes away. However, if the child dies before this (like in a miscarraige or something similar) then the child will be doomed to be Mizuko (a wandering demon much like Urami).

Answer 2

Niinamesai (Feast of New Rice Crops)