Shinto

Founded: No known date or founder. Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan. Adherents: 3-4 million Beliefs: Polytheism based on the kami, ancient gods or spirits. Practices: Worship and offerings to kami at shrines and at home. Purification rituals.

Shinto Shinto literally means “the way of the gods” Native Japanese religion Originated in prehistoric times and has long played an important role in Japanese society Major shrines around the country have often been power bases, closely tied with Imperial and shogun powers.

Unlike the world's major religions, Shinto has no fixed dogma, moral precepts, or sacred scriptures Most Japanese quite easily incorporate Shinto into their way of life alongside Buddhism and even elements of Christianity without feeling a strong attachment to or having a passionate belief in any of them.

Shinto is practiced at shrines(jinja), which are most easily distinguished from Buddhist temples by the torii gates that mark the entrance

Kami Shinto followers worship a huge array of kami (gods or spirits) These personify all aspects of nature, such as the sky, the earth, heavenly bodies, and natural phenomena.

Many kami are the spirits of – deceased ancestors – Emperors – prominent military figures – important animals (tiger, fox, etc), – waterfalls, forests, distinctive rocks, rivers, etc.

No `all powerful god' in Shinto - only lots of little ones Each has limitations But the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, is dominant however She gave birth to the first emperor Her main shrine is called Jingu and is located in a forest at Ise in western Japan

Sacred objects, such as rocks or trees, can be recognized by the shimenawa ropes and white paper strips attached to them.

Many of the matsuri(festivals) held all over Japan originated from Shinto rites These include: – prayers of thanksgiving – offerings of food and valuables – purification rituals.