Translation guide
The belief that natural objects, phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls or spiritual essence. In Japanese contexts, this is closely tied to Shinto and folk beliefs.
The broad anthropological or religious concept that all things have a spirit or soul.
The standard loanword for 'animism' in academic and general contexts.
The specific Japanese religious belief that kami (spirits/gods) inhabit natural objects and phenomena.
Literally 'eight million gods', a phrase that expresses the Shinto idea of countless kami residing in nature.
神道では、八百万の神が存在するとされています。
In Shinto, it is said that there are eight million gods.
Everyday expressions of animistic belief, such as respecting objects or natural features as having spirits.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'the way of thinking that even objects have life', used to explain animistic attitudes.
日本人は物にも命があるという考え方を持っています。
Japanese people have the mindset that even objects have life.
アニミズム is the direct loanword and is understood in academic contexts. 精霊信仰 is more native and often used when discussing Japanese folk religion. In casual conversation, explaining the concept with phrases like 物にも命がある is more natural than using the technical term.
アニミズムって知ってる？
Do you know what animism is?
精霊信仰は日本の文化に深く根付いています。
Belief in spirits is deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
When explaining animism to a Japanese speaker, it's often helpful to connect it to Shinto or everyday practices like respecting objects. Simply using the word アニミズム may not be immediately understood without context.
アニミズムは、自然界のあらゆるものに霊魂が宿るという信仰です。
Animism is the belief that spirits reside in all things in nature.
Literally 'belief in spirits', often used to describe animistic beliefs in a Japanese context.
日本の精霊信仰は、山や川にも神が宿ると考えます。
Japanese animism holds that gods dwell in mountains and rivers as well.
A philosophical term for panpsychism, sometimes overlapping with animism in academic discourse.
汎心論は、すべての物質に心的な性質があるとする哲学的立場です。
Panpsychism is a philosophical position that all matter has mental properties.
Nature worship, a core aspect of Shinto animism.
神社の多くは、自然崇拝に基づいて建てられています。
Many shrines are built based on nature worship.
A poetic phrase meaning 'gods dwelling in all creation', used in literary or religious contexts.
森羅万象に宿る神を感じる。
I feel the gods dwelling in all creation.
In folklore, tools or objects that acquire a spirit after 100 years. Often used to illustrate animistic beliefs.
古い道具が付喪神になるという話があります。
There is a story that old tools become tsukumogami.
Literally 'to treat objects with care', reflecting the animistic idea that objects deserve respect.
物を大切にするのは、アニミズムの影響かもしれません。
Treating objects with care may be an influence of animism.