Futomani

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. Morihei Ueshiba; John Stevens (15 March 1999). The Essence of Aikidō: Spiritual Teachings of Morihei Ueshiba. Kodansha International. p. 22. ISBN 978-4-7700-2357-5. 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. Louis Frédéric (2002). Japan Encyclopedia. Harvard University Press. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
5. William Gleason (1995). The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido. Inner Traditions * Bear & Company. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-89281-508-1. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
6. William Gleason (12 January 2009). Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of Kototama. Inner Traditions / Bear & Co. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-59477-245-0. Retrieved 18 June 2012.

See also

• Glossary of Shinto
• Oracle bones