Special Offers
Buddhist
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
Muslim
New Visions
Progressive Christian
Beliefs
Buddhist
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
More Voices
Muslim
New Visions
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Topics
Religion News
Food and Religion
Sports and Religion
Religious Art
Religious Music and Entertainment
Religious Events
History and Religion
Style and Religion
Politics and Religion
Women in Religion
Recreation Outdoors and Religion
Business Finance and Religion
Careers Workplace and Religion
Education and Religion
Family Parenting and Religion
Health Fitness and Religion
Home and Religion
Relationships and Religion
Technology and Religion
Travel and Religion
Columnists
Buddhist Columnists
Business Finance and Religion Columnists
Careers Workplace and Religion Columnists
Catholic Columnists
Contemplative Columnists
Education and Religion Columnists
Evangelists Columnists
Family Parenting and Religion Columnists
General Christian Columnists
Health Fitness and Religion Columnists
Hindu Columnists
History and Religion Columnists
Home and Religion Columnists
Jewish Columnists
More Voices Columnists
Latter Day Columnists
Muslim Columnists
New Visions Columnists
Nonreligious Columnists
Pagan Columnists
Politics and Religion Columnists
Progressive Columnists
Recreation Outdoors and Religion Columnists
Relationships and Religion Columnists
Religion News Columnists
Religious Art Columnists
Religious Events Columnists
Religious Music and Entertainment Columnists
Sports and Religion Columnists
Style and Religion Columnists
Technology and Religion Columnists
Travel and Religion Columnists
Women in Religion Columnists
Resource Library
2025 Calendar
Library of World Religions
The 100 Most Holy Places on Earth
Patheos Answers
Podcasts
Videos
Faith Leaders Database
Anglican Episcopalian
Bahai
Baptist
Buddhism
Christianity
Confucianism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Hinduism
Holiness and Pentecostal
ISKCON
Islam
Judaism
Lutheran
Methodist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
New Age
Paganism
Presbytarian and Reformed
Protestantism
Religion Behind the Scenes
Roman Catholic
Scientology
Shia Islam
Sikhism
Sufism
Sunni Islam
Taoism
Zen
See all religions
Research Tools
Comparison Lens
Preacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Video
Podcasts
Thought Readers
Faith In Media Tracker
E-Books and Other Special Offers
God's Cheat Sheet to Finances
Books of the Bible Study series
History of the Bible
7 Day Prayer Challenge for Spouses
A Different Kind of Christian
Jesus is Love
Prayer Devotional
The Saints We Love
FaithChatter Conversation Cards
Newsletters
Special Offers
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In
Subscription Support
Trending:
Pope Leo Xiv
|
Resurrection
|
Trump
|
Social Justice
|
Peace
|
Pope Francis
RELIGION LIBRARY
Shinto
Toggle navigation
Overview
Origins
History
Beliefs
Rituals and Worship
Ethics and Community
Early Developments
In the 8th century C.E., the Nihonshoki (Chronicle of Japan) and the Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) were written to legitimate the rule of the Yamato clan as descendants of the gods. Using elements of an earlier mythology, the Yamato rulers created a unified Japan, sanctified by their claims to divinity and supported by a system of shrines.
Schisms and Sects
Buddhism was introduced to Japan from Korea, and later, China, in the 6th century C.E. Along with Buddhism, Japan adopted many elements of Chinese culture, including its written language. The name "Shinto" is derived from the Chinese (shen dao, or way of the gods), and its emergence as a formal tradition was a native response to Buddhist influence.
Missions and Expansion
Buddhism and Shinto developed side-by-side for many centuries. While Shinto was, in a sense, a state religion, there were many occasions in which Buddhism also received state support. Systems of equivalency between Buddhas and kami were developed, and worship of both was normally conducted in the same temple complexes.
Exploration and Conquest
By the end of the 11th century, there were only twenty-two "official" Shinto shrines, and even at these, Buddhist deities regarded as the same as specific Shinto kami were worshipped. The imperial line continued but had little power. Toward the end of the 12th century, the first of the shogun governments was established.
Modern Age
During the Edo period (1600-1868), efforts were made to redefine Shinto as a tradition separate from Buddhism, and a "National Learning" movement emerged. In 1868, the Meiji emperor was restored to power and Buddhism and Shinto were forcibly separated. An aggressive, militaristic attitude was supported by "state Shinto," buttressed by the ancient notion of the emperor as a direct descendent of the deity of the sun, Amaterasu.
Origins
Beliefs
Back to religion Library
editors picks
View All Columns
Evangelical
Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good
Guest Contributor
Evangelical
What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?
Randy Alcorn
New Visions
5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You
Tom Rapsas
Muslim
How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep
Daniel Thomas Dyer
Latter-day Saint
"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"
Dan Peterson
Evangelical
Luther and the Beauty of Christ
Guest Contributor
Patheos
The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"
DeWayne Hamby
Patheos
Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism
Carl McColman
Evangelical
Cancelling Alice Walker?
Philip Jenkins
Evangelical
Does God Have His Own Logic?
Roger E. Olson
Patheos
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In