神道（Shinto）English Ver.

I would like to teach you about Shinto(神道、しんとう).

Shinto ("the way of gods") is the oldest religion in Japan.

Shinto is a religion developed by Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, etc. It was influenced by the faith of 8 million gods who had been powerful people in life. It is unique that Shinto is different from any other religions that acknowledges only a single God. Shinto's main believers are only in Japan because they never tried to spread Shinto outside Japan.

It is also believed that the tradition of Buddhism led to the recognition of traditional beliefs and rituals as Shinto. In the old days, Shinto and Buddhist traditions were not distinguished from each other, and they thought that Shinto gods and Buddhist gods were one of many gods. With the introduction of rice cultivation, the way of thinking of Shinto was organised in the agricultural ritual.

With a faith based on the awe of nature, ancestors, and death, God is a guardian deity that protects and gives grace to the people, and at the same time it was feared and commanded worship by causing natural disasters and diseases.

In Shinto, it is said that when people die, they become a god. So people who have contributed to the improvement of society or who are prominent in society may be enshrined as a god at shrines after they died.

Let's visit some shrines!

1、出雲大社 (Izumo Taisya)