Shintoism

Shinto, meaning ‘the Way of the Gods’, is the major Religion in Japan, followed by Buddhism.
Shinto does not have a Founder, neither does it have a Sacred Text. It has Shrines, not Temples.

Shinto developed in Japan in c. 300 BCE. It became strongly influenced by Buddhism between 300-500 CE.
It was made the State Religion of Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912 CE), but separated from the State after 1945.
The Religion is closely related to Nature.
Shinto’s Fundamental Principles are purity, harmony, respect for the family and subordination of the individual’s interest to the group, which form part of Japanese family values.
Thus, Shinto’s key concepts of purity, harmony, family respect, and subordination of the individual before the group have become parts of the Japanese character.

Shinto has multiple Gods called ‘Kami’. Some of the notable Gods are:
- Sun Godddess, Amaterasu,
- Wind God, Susanoo,
- Mount Fuji Volcano God, Fuchi.
Shinto Shrines are called Jinja
- They are the sacred locations of one or more of the ‘Kami’. There are no Temples.
- Shinto’s most sacred shrine is Ise Jingu, in Ise city, Shima Peninsular.
Shinto Priests
- The Priests tend to the Shrines and offer food and drink to the ‘Kami’ worshipped at that Shrine.

Ise Jingu Shrine, Ise City