Kami-no-Michi
Kami-no-Michi translates as "The Way of the Gods" and is the largest Akatsu religion practised across The Extent. It traces its roots back through its Shinto parentage to ancient Japan, establishing the Akatsu Imperial family as direct descendants of Amaterasu and the foundation of Akatsu culture. Like Shinto, there are various cults and it is deeply wrapped in tradition.
Kami worship is done both publicly and privately and, while there are no specific gods, there are standard Kami, the sacred spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, waterfalls or weather with the most important being the sun-goddess, Amaterasu. The faithful believe that bad things happen because of bad spirits, that people are fundamentally good, that there are no absolutes, no rights, no wrongs, no good, no evil and no perfection and that they will become kami after death. In Kami-no-Michi, some deeds are pure whilst others are impure and those who are killed without being shown gratitude may hold a grudge, become powerful kami, and seek revenge. Purification rites, a vital part of the religion, are practised daily, weekly and in other cycles and some of these rituals have been adapted to modern life with new buildings blessed by priests.
Kami worship is done both publicly and privately and, while there are no specific gods, there are standard Kami the sacred spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, sacred groves of trees, , waterfalls or weather types. The most important Kami is the sun-goddess, Amaterasu. The religion is optimistic with the faithful believing that bad things happen because of bad spirits, that people are fundamentally good, that there are no absolutes, no rights, no wrongs, no good, no evil and no perfection and that they will become kami after death. The faithful build shrines to house the kami then have celebrations around the shrines to reveal the real world to the kami... a major purpose of the rituals is to scare the evil kami away.
Like its terrestrial forebear, Kami-no-Michi has a creation myth where the gods Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto created a new land at the behest of other gods. Stirring the waters, they created an island with a palace where they lived. In the palace, the two gods performed rituals when they wanted children, the various planets of Akatsu. Izanami died giving birth to Kagu-Tsuchi and Izanagi tried to save her, chasing her spirit to the netherworld, Yomi-no-kuni, but ran away in fear when he found her. On his return home, he gives birth to Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi and Susanoo, the sun, moon and storm deities.
In Kami-no-Michi, some deeds are pure whilst others are impure and those who are killed without being shown gratitude may hold a grudge, become powerful kami, and seek revenge. Purification rites, a vital part of the religion, are practised daily, weekly and in other cycles and some of these rituals have been adapted to modern life with new buildings blessed by priests.
Full formal funerals are complicated affairs with some twenty steps to bury the dead and the mourners dressed for a day wearing solid black as a priest performs the required rituals. Some of the deceased's ashes will be taken by family members to put in their home shrines.
Kami-no-Michi traces its roots back through its Shinto parentage to ancient Japan, establishing the Japanese imperial family as direct descendants of Amaterasu and the foundation of Japanese culture.
Kami worship is done both publicly and privately and, while there are no specific gods, there are standard Kami the sacred spirits of the mountains, rivers, trees, sacred groves of trees, , waterfalls or weather types. The most important Kami is the sun-goddess, Amaterasu. The religion is optimistic with the faithful believing that bad things happen because of bad spirits, that people are fundamentally good, that there are no absolutes, no rights, no wrongs, no good, no evil and no perfection and that they will become kami after death. The faithful build shrines to house the kami then have celebrations around the shrines to reveal the real world to the kami... a major purpose of the rituals is to scare the evil kami away.
Like its terrestrial forebear, Kami-no-Michi has a creation myth where the gods Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto created a new land at the behest of other gods. Stirring the waters, they created an island with a palace where they lived. In the palace, the two gods performed rituals when they wanted children, the various planets of Akatsu. Izanami died giving birth to Kagu-Tsuchi and Izanagi tried to save her, chasing her spirit to the netherworld, Yomi-no-kuni, but ran away in fear when he found her. On his return home, he gives birth to Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi and Susanoo, the sun, moon and storm deities.
In Kami-no-Michi, some deeds are pure whilst others are impure and those who are killed without being shown gratitude may hold a grudge, become powerful kami, and seek revenge. Purification rites, a vital part of the religion, are practised daily, weekly and in other cycles and some of these rituals have been adapted to modern life with new buildings blessed by priests.
Full formal funerals are complicated affairs with some twenty steps to bury the dead and the mourners dressed for a day wearing solid black as a priest performs the required rituals. Some of the deceased's ashes will be taken by family members to put in their home shrines.
Kami-no-Michi traces its roots back through its Shinto parentage to ancient Japan, establishing the Japanese imperial family as direct descendants of Amaterasu and the foundation of Japanese culture.
