Futomani

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Futomani (太占) is a traditional Shinto system of divination. Practitioners attempt to foresee future events by interpreting the pattern of cracks made by heating the shoulder-blade of a stag.[1] The practice is thought to predate the introduction of divination by tortoiseshell, which was imported from China; archaeological evidence suggests it originated as early as the Jōmon period.[2]

The kami most commonly associated with Futomani is Uraniwa-no-Kami (占庭の神, lit. "Divination Divinity"),[3] also-known-as Futonorito-no-Mikoto (太祝詞の命, lit. "Thick Congratulatory Address [of] Life"), a special Kami of divination.

Futomani is still practiced at the Shinto shrine on Mount Mitake as an annual event.[4]

In aikido, futomani is considered an important adjunct to kotodama practice.[1][5][6]

References

  1. ^ . Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  2. ^ Suzuki Kentarō. "Encyclopedia of Shinto". Kokugakuin University. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  3. ^ Fu ren da xue (Beijing, China). Ren lei xue bo wu guan; S.V.D. Research Institute; Society of the Divine Word (1962). Folklore studies. p. 59. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  4. . Retrieved 15 June 2012.
  5. . Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  6. . Retrieved 18 June 2012.

See also