📖 Shinto

Shinto has been rooted in Japan since ancient times and is the oldest ethnic belief in the country. The history of Shinto is very long, with its origins traceable to the Jomon period (around 18,000 BC to 300 BC). It is said that the basic form of Shinto was already established during the Kofun period (around 300 AD to around 600 AD). Shinto is a polytheistic belief system that holds that everything has a spirit, including nature (water, sun, moon), animals, mythology, and everyday objects that have been used for a long time. Since its foundation is built on ancient rituals and natural beliefs, and emphasizes reverence for ancestors, there is no single founder or religious leader. The freedom and flexibility of belief are also respected, including regional, familial, and personal beliefs; even among those who practice the same "Shinto," the content of their beliefs may differ. In Japan, Shinto and Buddhism have influenced each other and developed independently through the belief system known as "Shinbutsu Shugo," which is a fusion of the two. With the advancement of the "Separation of Shinto and Buddhism" policy, these two have now become distinct religions. However, there are still shrines and temples across Japan that preserve the traditional belief of "Shinbutsu Shugo."

The oldest religion in Japan is Shinto. Shinto is not a monotheistic religion, but rather a polytheistic one, with the deities worshiped varying by region. Shinto has no founder, no religious leader, and no scriptures, nor does it have a systematic doctrine. In Japan, Shinto and Buddhism have influenced each other while also developing independently. The culture, customs, and spirit of Shinto are still deeply rooted in the lives of the Japanese people today.