Shinto

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Shinto (Japanese: 神道) or Shintoism is the native religion of Japan. There are many Kami, translated as gods or nature spirits. Some "kami" are just spirits of certain places, and some are the overall "kami" (like "Amaterasu", the Sun goddess). The word "Shinto" comes from the Japanese words "神", shin -- the word for god, and "道", tō -- the word for "the way" or "path". So, Shinto means "the way of the gods."

Shinto was the main religion of Japan before World War II. Many practices of Shinto are not done in Japan today, and some are still done every day, but they are not meant to be religious actions.

• Although Jinja-Honcho has managed almost all shrines, some shrines, such as Yasukuni shrine, are outside jurisdiction.

• Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, is the holiest of all Shinto kami. Her shrine is located in Ise, Japan.

[change] Other websites

• Kokugakuin University Encylopedia of Shinto