social norms and distinguishing characteristics from symbolic figures. By implementing these thoughts in an almost subdued way, is the reinforcement from the Japanese people to make these nationalistic thoughts almost an instinctual part of their people. We tend not to express in a straightforward manner but when it is presented in a subtle manner, say a tattoo, those who truly understands the core and the subjective thoughts of the peculiar heritage would be responsive to it and that is a way for us to identify the ideology of both the owner of the tattoo or the recipient who feels a connection towards it, as well as a method to present a prototype of our nationality and culture.
Bearing the label of“ the origin of the sun” is not all talk, they believe that Japan is the first divine creation from a universal force of this world. This is the pride and honor that they put into their history and culture and they strived to seek it back, given that Shintoism translates to“ the way of the divine beings” from Chinese. These animistic thoughts allow the Japanese to see that nothing is truly morally wrong, for anything is actually considered as a Kami. Kami is not a divine being like god but the fundamentals of the natural world. In fact, they are rather similar to humans as they live in the same plane and they behave like humans.
Good and Evil?
Mythical creatures such as the kitsune are often described as mischievous but are associated with wisdom as well. This is a human condition, the nurturing of one’ s character. They simply only have a different physical form than what’ s considered normal to the rest of the world. The main aspect of philosophy in Shintoism is that everything was born with a pure state. There is no clear definition of what’ s vile or virtuous. Until humans grow to have perception. We assembled the forms and shapes and senses within our line of sight and combined it with our own expectations, experiences, moods and cultural norms. To make sense of something from our own position. And this often led to disagreement within the intention of a tattoo. Because some let other’ s judgement interfere with the implication of the art and turn something that was normal, into something not normal. Part of the Shintoism practice was to understand that the nature of a human runs deeper than classifying an individual as good or evil.
“ Purity” can be found in the heart of every single being and what we called“ impurity” or“ sins” are resulted from the later parts of the life cycle. Tsumi is the pollution to our wellbeing or character, which would be the possession of a malicious nature.
In Hayao Miyazaki’ s film, there is a consistent theme of his characters being purged and cleansed of evil. Every creatures takes on a different appearance but they all co-exist together in harmony. The entire existence is joined as a single complexation. Kami help to bring the people to a state of holiness and pureness spiritually. The strong belonging towards these holy beings is what brings the community together than any other forms of commonality. Their choice to display this breath of life in their original form, as animals which became major icons of their nation and carries on as a soundless exhibition.
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