Idea of The Soul

   Soul(Tamashi), the subject of the transmigration of the soul, which is living if the body is dead.  However, the conception of the human soul and its future conditions was very vague.  

   The transmigration of the soul will be changing by doing a good or bad deed while alive.  After death, we might go to either heaven which is presided over by the Sun-Goddess or hell which is presided over by the King.

   The soul was believed to be composed of 2 parts, one mild, refined, and happy, the other rough, brutal, and raging (the mild, Nigi-Mitama, and the rough, Ara-Mitama).

   It is that the idea of the soul was associated with breathing, and it is called Tama, which means a precious or mysterious thing (globular in form as a rule).  Another name for the soul, Tama-Shii, seems to mean "mysterious breathing" and probably the word Shinu, to die, the departure of breath.  According to the popular belief, which prevails even nowadays, the soul quits the body at the moment of death; it may often be seen lingering as a pale fire-ball flying in darkness.

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