Shinto

Basic Information

Who

Shinto, as a religion, has no founder. It is said to date back to prehistoric times. Myths and legends surrounding the creation of the nation of Japan are thought to be the foundations for this socio-religious institution.

What

Shinto is an indigenous, national, socio-religious institution, which highly values the traditions and history of Japan. The word Shinto is derived from the Chinese word shen-tao, and means way of the gods (kami-no-michi in Japanese). The basis of Shinto is worship of the kami. Kami is roughly translated as deity, but it applies to deities and noble people from history, including the ancestors of the Japanese people and the Japanese imperial dynasties. Shrines are the center of Shinto, with each shrine being dedicated to a specific kami. To enter a shrine, one passes through a torii, a gateway that is the demarcation between the finite (profane) world and the infinite (sacred) world of the gods. Most homes have an altar (kami-dana, shelf of gods) dedicated to worshiping the family kami and ancestors.

When

Shinto is said to have always existed in Japan, in some form. At present, there are three types of Shinto in Japan. They are:

1. Shrine Shinto, with prehistoric origins. It included, until 1945, State Shinto, which is closely tied to government and the Japanese imperial dynasties.
2. Sectarian Shinto. There are 13 sects in Sectarian Shinto, each with a founder or systematizer who organized it in the 19th century. Sectarian Shinto also includes sects which formed after World War II.
3. Folk Shinto. Folk Shinto does not have an organized religious body, nor does it have any doctrinal formulas. It is, instead, tied to the numerous practices of the individual families.

All three types are interrelated. Folk Shinto is the substructure of Shinto faith, the foundation, of sorts. A member of Sectarian Shinto is likely to also worship at a shrine associated with Shrine Shinto.

Where: Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, and has not spread from Japan to a great extent (only about 60,000 adherents are thought to live outside of Japan). Japanese immigrants in other countries have brought Shinto with them, but they are few in number. Efforts have been made to increase the knowledge of and respect for Shinto in the international community.

Who Is God?

There are many kami (deities) in Shinto, although no one deity has been ascribed the designation of God, in terms of being chief, or creator. The most revered deity is Amaterasu, the sun goddess. She is the daughter of Izanagi and Izanami, who, according to legend, created the islands of Japan. Amaterasu is considered a direct ancestor to the Japanese imperial line.

Where Did We Come From?

Shinto’s legends about creation are limited to the islands of Japan. Japan was created by Izanagi and Izanami, who then chose to dwell there. This gives Japan a prominence in the eyes of its people, who feel that it is the best place to live. Shinto has been influenced by Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and feels that all deities (kami), even those from other religions, are valid. Confucianism and Taoism state that the Tao is the cause of all that is, and Shinto would accept that as valid, even while retaining its own creation accounts.

Why Are We Here?

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How Do We Know?

There is little established scripture in Shinto. Many traditions and rituals were passed down through the family alone. They were not codified until the seventh century CE. The first attempt to codify the myths and traditions of the families and clans was the Kujiki, or the Chronicle of Old Events. It traced the history of the emperors from Jimmu Tenno onward, and was written in 620 CE (Common Era, formerly AD, Anno Domini, year of our Lord). In 712 CE, the Kojiki, or Chronicle of Ancient Events, was written. It aimed at presenting a history of Japan from the creation of the world until the middle of the seventh century CE. Around the same time, the Nihongi, or Chronicles of Japan, were released (720 CE) with slight variations and additions to the Kojiki. In 806 CE the Kogoshui, or Gleanings from Ancient Sources, was published to defend the practices of one of the Shinto priestly guilds. In the beginning of the tenth century CE, the Engi-shiki, was written, a compendium of Shinto rites and ceremonies, particularly those related to the imperial cult.

There are also several history books considered important in Shinto. They are:

Rokkokushi, or the Six National Histories
Shoku Nihongi and Nihon Shoki, the continuing Chronicles of Japan
Jinno Shotoki, a study of Shinto and Japanese politics and history

What Do We Have To Do?

The basis of Shinto is honoring one’s family kami and ancestors. There are rituals to accomplish this, both at a shrine, or in the home. Shinto, as a national religion, also calls for obedience to and respect for Japan. Its patriotism is a natural extension of the love that Japanese people have for their homeland. Shinto leaders are also focusing on the necessity of international cooperation, and are working toward helping adherents to become global citizens, thus extending one’s patriotic duties to the entire planet. Shinto also holds the environment in very high accord, and many adherents feel moved to be involved in various environmental protection programs.

What's Going On Today?

Shinto today is similar to its original form, but has incorporated ideas from several other traditions, including Confucianism and Buddhism. Today, many adherents of Shinto are also adherents of Buddhism. For this reason, it is difficult to determine just how many adherents there are. Some sources place the number at around three million. Others note, however, that anywhere from forty to eight percent of Japanese citizens still consider themselves part of Shinto. This would cause the number to rise to between fifty and one hundred million.

How Do We Recognize It?

Shinto is recognized by the torii, a distinctive arch or gate erected at the entrance to the sacred precincts of a shrine. The torii separates the inner area of the shrine from the profane world surrounding it.

Compiled, written and edited by Jonathan Ketcham.