Follow TV Tropes

Following

History UsefulNotes / Shinto

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Blade On A Stick has been disambiguated


According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1,500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his left eye, right eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.

to:

According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], Ame-no-Nuboko, they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1,500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his left eye, right eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the Imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the Emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the Imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the Emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor Emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists the ''uyoku dantai'' - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic UsefulNotes/{{Judaism}}), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it. For what it's worth, non-Japanese priests like [[https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/first-non-japanese-shinto-priest-rev-koichi-barrish-discusses-his-faith American Koichi Barrish]] and [[https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00105/ Austria-born, Mie Precture-based Florian Wiltschko]] do exist.

to:

There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic UsefulNotes/{{Judaism}}), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it. For what it's worth, non-Japanese priests like [[https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/first-non-japanese-shinto-priest-rev-koichi-barrish-discusses-his-faith American Koichi Barrish]] and [[https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00105/ Austria-born, Mie Precture-based Prefecture-based Florian Wiltschko]] do exist.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the Imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the Imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor Emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his left eye, right eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.

to:

According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 1,500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his left eye, right eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.



Actually, scratch those bits about the gods in their high heavens, because these are the matters of people in the capitol. Shinto is a catch-all term for largely unconnected folk beliefs across the different places in Japan. Some gods might be popular nationwide such as The Seven Gods of Fortune, but where there is a Shinto shrine, there is a local deity enshrined that only influences its immediate areas. People would pray to that god and throw a festival to honor it (or just to make a festivity, it's not like there were televisions to alleviate boredom in ancient Japan).

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

Actually, scratch those bits about the gods in their high heavens, because these are the matters of people in the capitol.capital. Shinto is a catch-all term for largely unconnected folk beliefs across the different places in Japan. Some gods might be popular nationwide such as The Seven Gods of Fortune, but where there is a Shinto shrine, there is a local deity enshrined that only influences its immediate areas. People would pray to that god and throw a festival to honor it (or just to make a festivity, it's not like there were televisions to alleviate boredom in ancient Japan).

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial Imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Shintō (神道[[note]]Literally ''divine path''[[/note]]) or Shintoism, was the original religion of Japan and the Japanese people before Buddhism came along. Essentially, [[AncientTradition it's a set of practices]], to be carried out diligently, to [[AppealToTradition establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past]]. Shinto today is a term that applies to public shrines suited to various purposes such as war memorials, harvest festivals, romance, and historical monuments, as well as various sectarian organizations. It's notable for being rather light on philosophizing and heavy on community spirits. In short, Shintoism is less a religion and more of a celebration of Japanese identity, especially in the present day.

to:

Shintō (神道[[note]]Literally ''divine path''[[/note]]) or Shintoism, was the original religion of Japan and the Japanese people before Buddhism UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} came along. Essentially, [[AncientTradition it's a set of practices]], to be carried out diligently, to [[AppealToTradition establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past]]. Shinto today is a term that applies to public shrines suited to various purposes such as war memorials, harvest festivals, romance, and historical monuments, as well as various sectarian organizations. It's notable for being rather light on philosophizing and heavy on community spirits. In short, Shintoism is less a religion and more of a celebration of Japanese identity, especially in the present day.



Actually, scratch those bits about the gods in their high heavens, because these are the matters of people in the capitol. Shinto is a catch-all term for largely unconnected folk beliefs across the different places in Japan. Some gods might be popular nationwide such as The Seven Gods of Fortunes, but where there is a Shinto shrine, there is a local deity enshrined that only influences its immediate areas. People would pray to that god and throw a festival to honor it (or just to make a festivity, it's not like there were televisions to alleviate boredom in ancient Japan).

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it. For what it's worth, non-Japanese priests like [[https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/first-non-japanese-shinto-priest-rev-koichi-barrish-discusses-his-faith American Koichi Barrish]] and [[https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00105/ Austria-born, Mie Precture-based Florian Wiltschko]] do exist.

to:

Actually, scratch those bits about the gods in their high heavens, because these are the matters of people in the capitol. Shinto is a catch-all term for largely unconnected folk beliefs across the different places in Japan. Some gods might be popular nationwide such as The Seven Gods of Fortunes, Fortune, but where there is a Shinto shrine, there is a local deity enshrined that only influences its immediate areas. People would pray to that god and throw a festival to honor it (or just to make a festivity, it's not like there were televisions to alleviate boredom in ancient Japan).

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, [[note]]Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which, if true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]].Gods[[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), UsefulNotes/{{Judaism}}), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it. For what it's worth, non-Japanese priests like [[https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/first-non-japanese-shinto-priest-rev-koichi-barrish-discusses-his-faith American Koichi Barrish]] and [[https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00105/ Austria-born, Mie Precture-based Florian Wiltschko]] do exist.






* The existence of ''kami'', divine spirits that exist in just about every aspect of nature. Trees are particularly sacred, though they are not worshipped so much as revered (those giant anime trees with ropes and pieces of paper around them? Those are sacred trees). That said, ''kami'' exist in everything, including rocks and specs of dust. Kami are prayed to, though not because they are necessarily higher beings; rather they are powerful and must be appeased if one wishes to live in harmony with their world. Peace with nature is thus a hallmark of many Shinto practices. The reverence for pieces of nature is seen by many outsiders as a form of animism, to which the Shinto priests would nod their heads and say, [[JapanesePoliteness "Oh? Is that so?"]]

to:

* The existence of ''kami'', divine spirits that exist in just about every aspect of nature. Trees are particularly sacred, though they are not worshipped so much as revered (those giant anime trees with ropes and pieces of paper around them? Those are sacred trees). That said, ''kami'' exist in everything, including rocks and specs of dust. Kami are prayed to, though not because they are necessarily higher beings; rather they are powerful and must be appeased if one wishes to live in harmony with their world. Peace with nature is thus a hallmark of many Shinto practices. The reverence for pieces of nature is seen by many outsiders as a form of animism, to which the Shinto priests would nod their heads and say, [[JapanesePoliteness "Oh? Is "Oh, is that so?"]]



Shinto coexists easily with other religions. It shares the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. A common expression of Japanese religious belief is that the Japanese are born Shinto, marry Christian, and die Buddhist. This isn't a case of conversion throughout life, but the fact that the Japanese are quite comfortable picking and choosing which religious practices they like and ignoring the rest. Shinto is completely fine with this practice.

to:

Shinto coexists easily with other religions. It shares the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism.UsefulNotes/{{Taoism}}. A common expression of Japanese religious belief is that the Japanese are born Shinto, marry Christian, and die Buddhist. This isn't a case of conversion throughout life, but the fact that the Japanese are quite comfortable picking and choosing which religious practices they like and ignoring the rest. Shinto is completely fine with this practice.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which if true would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), makes the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which (which, if true true, would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), makes that would make the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfAKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken (which if true would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), makes the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfAKingdom [[FounderOfTheKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken since its founding (which if true would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), makes the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.

to:

As for the GodEmperor belief, pre-WWII it was accepted that the imperial family was divine, as descended from Amaterasu, and the emperor was a living demigod.demigod [[note]] Specifically, the semi-mythical [[FounderOfAKingdom first Emperor Jimmu]] was held as the great-grandson of Amaterasu, and since the traditional order of succession in Japan holds the royal line to have progressed completely unbroken (which if true would make it the longest continuous royal lineage in history), makes the Imperial Family the direct descendants of the Creator Gods [[/note]]. Post-WWII, the emperor was made to renounce his divine lineage. While the Imperial family may be revered or looked up to by the majority of Japanese, this is mostly ceremonial even for those who do believe in divine lineage, and outright ''worship'' of the Emperor as the one true God above all is reserved for extreme nationalists - e.g. Japan's answer to Neo-Nazis.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it.

Shinto is not necessarily an organized religion. There are common practices that most shrines agree upon, but there is no "true" set of beliefs that practitioners are expected to hold. Rather Shinto is a catch-all term for a series of native Japanese rituals that have a wide variety of origins. Similarly, no two temples share the same set of practices, and the religion is highly localized. There are a few recurring themes that most practioners agree upon:

to:

There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it.

it. For what it's worth, non-Japanese priests like [[https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/first-non-japanese-shinto-priest-rev-koichi-barrish-discusses-his-faith American Koichi Barrish]] and [[https://www.nippon.com/en/people/e00105/ Austria-born, Mie Precture-based Florian Wiltschko]] do exist.

Shinto is not necessarily an organized religion. There are common practices that most shrines agree upon, but there is no "true" set of beliefs that practitioners are expected to hold. Rather Shinto is a catch-all term for a series of native Japanese rituals that have a wide variety of origins. Similarly, no two temples share the same set of practices, and the religion is highly localized. There are a few recurring themes that most practioners practitioners agree upon:
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Amaterasu became TheHighQueen of the gods and the ancestor of the [[AGodIAm emperors of Japan]], but had [[DysfunctionalFamily issues]] with her brother Susanoo. To escape his rages, she once hid herself away in a cave, forcing the other gods to coax her out to prevent TheNightThatNeverEnds. When Susanoo raped her attendants and violated her temples, Amaterasu [[TheExile cast him out of the heavens]]. Susanoo became TheAtoner, wandering Japan until he came across a family of minor earth deities plagued by the [[UrExample Yamata no]] {{Orochi}}, a dragon with eight heads and eight tails, to which they had fed seven of their eight daughters. Susanoo fell in love with the last daughter, Kushinada, and [[WholesomeCrossdresser disguised himself as her]], tricking the Orochi into getting [[CantHoldHisLiquor drunk on sake]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the sword [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the {{Kusanagi}}. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

to:

Amaterasu became TheHighQueen of the gods and the ancestor of the [[AGodIAm [[AGodAmI emperors of Japan]], but had [[DysfunctionalFamily issues]] with her brother Susanoo. To escape his rages, she once hid herself away in a cave, forcing the other gods to coax her out to prevent TheNightThatNeverEnds. When Susanoo raped her attendants and violated her temples, Amaterasu [[TheExile cast him out of the heavens]]. Susanoo became TheAtoner, wandering Japan until he came across a family of minor earth deities plagued by the [[UrExample Yamata no]] {{Orochi}}, a dragon with eight heads and eight tails, to which they had fed seven of their eight daughters. Susanoo fell in love with the last daughter, Kushinada, and [[WholesomeCrossdresser disguised himself as her]], tricking the Orochi into getting [[CantHoldHisLiquor drunk on sake]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the sword [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the {{Kusanagi}}. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practices.

to:

Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, UsefulNotes/NeoPaganism for similar animistic folk practices.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Shintō (神道[[note]]Literally ''divine path''[[/note]]) or Shintoism, was the original religion of Japan and the Japanese people before Buddhism came along. Essentially, [[AncientTradition it's a set of practices]], to be carried out diligently, to [[AppealToTradition establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past]]. Shinto today is a term that applies to public shrines suited to various purposes such as war memorials, harvest festivals, romance, and historical monuments, as well as various sectarian organizations. It's notable for being rather light on philosophizing and heavy on community spirits. In short, Shintoism, particularly modern Shintoism, is less a religion and more of a celebration of Japanese-ness.

to:

Shintō (神道[[note]]Literally ''divine path''[[/note]]) or Shintoism, was the original religion of Japan and the Japanese people before Buddhism came along. Essentially, [[AncientTradition it's a set of practices]], to be carried out diligently, to [[AppealToTradition establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past]]. Shinto today is a term that applies to public shrines suited to various purposes such as war memorials, harvest festivals, romance, and historical monuments, as well as various sectarian organizations. It's notable for being rather light on philosophizing and heavy on community spirits. In short, Shintoism, particularly modern Shintoism, Shintoism is less a religion and more of a celebration of Japanese-ness.Japanese identity, especially in the present day.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
no context


Amaterasu became TheHighQueen of the gods and the ancestor of the [[AGodIAm emperors of Japan]], but had [[DysfunctionalFamily issues]] with her brother [[{{Jerkass}} Susanoo]]. To escape his rages, she once hid herself away in a cave, forcing the other gods to coax her out to prevent TheNightThatNeverEnds. When Susanoo raped her attendants and violated her temples, Amaterasu [[TheExile cast him out of the heavens]]. Susanoo became TheAtoner, wandering Japan until he came across a family of minor earth deities plagued by the [[UrExample Yamata no]] {{Orochi}}, a dragon with eight heads and eight tails, to which they had fed seven of their eight daughters. Susanoo fell in love with the last daughter, Kushinada, and [[WholesomeCrossdresser disguised himself as her]], tricking the Orochi into getting [[CantHoldHisLiquor drunk on sake]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the sword [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the {{Kusanagi}}. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

to:

Amaterasu became TheHighQueen of the gods and the ancestor of the [[AGodIAm emperors of Japan]], but had [[DysfunctionalFamily issues]] with her brother [[{{Jerkass}} Susanoo]].Susanoo. To escape his rages, she once hid herself away in a cave, forcing the other gods to coax her out to prevent TheNightThatNeverEnds. When Susanoo raped her attendants and violated her temples, Amaterasu [[TheExile cast him out of the heavens]]. Susanoo became TheAtoner, wandering Japan until he came across a family of minor earth deities plagued by the [[UrExample Yamata no]] {{Orochi}}, a dragon with eight heads and eight tails, to which they had fed seven of their eight daughters. Susanoo fell in love with the last daughter, Kushinada, and [[WholesomeCrossdresser disguised himself as her]], tricking the Orochi into getting [[CantHoldHisLiquor drunk on sake]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the sword [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the {{Kusanagi}}. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practices.

to:

Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practices.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
fixed dashes in sixth paragraph


There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman-no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet-that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it.

to:

There are also splits over whether non-Japanese can practice Shinto/convert to it. This is heavily generalized and controversial since Shinto is ''not'' an evangelizing religion and is a practice faith. One faction insists they cannot (the nationalists, and traditionalists in general, say that you have to have Japanese blood to be "true" Shinto), another insists they can via marriage (e.g. some more open Shinto practitioners say that if a non-Japanese woman marries a Japanese man, or a non-Japanese man marries a Japanese woman-no woman -- no one has spoken out regarding same-sex relationships yet-that yet -- that the non-Japanese person is automatically "in" or alternately can choose to convert, similar to ethnic Judaism), and the most open faction welcomes and embraces non-Japanese and accepts the idea that while the belief system is non-evangelical and non-conversive, that someone may identify strongly with it or practice similarly to it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his right eye, left eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.

to:

According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his left eye, right eye, left eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also {{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practices.

to:

Highly related to Myth/JapaneseMythology. Subtropes include {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, [[PaperTalisman [=Ofuda=]]], {{Youkai}}. See also {{Buddhism}} UsefulNotes/{{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practices.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shinto_torii_vermillionsvg.png]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ama-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his right eye, left eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.

to:

According to the CreationStory, the gods [[GodCouple Izanagi-no-Mikoto and Izanami-no-Mikoto]] were tasked with creating Japan by the [[ElderGods first gods]], Kunitokotachi and Amenominakanushi. Using the sacred [[BladeOnAStick jeweled spear Ama-no-Nuboko]], Ame-no-Nuboko]], they created Onogoro Island, and made their home there. When they wished to be married, they build a palace with a pillar in the middle, and walked around the pillar in opposite directions. When they met, Izanami spoke first, and gave birth to Hiruko, the deformed leech-god of fishermen. They walked around the pillar again, and this time Izanagi spoke first, and Izanami gave birth to the islands of Japan, [[MotherOfAThousandYoung among many other gods]]. Tragedy struck when Izanami gave birth to [[PlayingWithFire Kagutsuchi]] and was [[{{Squick}} burnt to death in the process]]. Izanagi sliced Kagutsuchi to pieces, and the pieces became dozens of lesser deities. He [[ToHellAndBack travelled to Yomi]], the underworld, to retrieve his wife, but saw she had become a [[StringyHairedGhostGirl rotted corpse]] and fled in terror. Izanami, enraged, swore to kill a thousand humans, and Izanagi vowed to create 1500 to take their place. To cleanse himself, Izanagi washed his face, and from his right eye, left eye, and nose, respectively, the [[ThePowerOfTheSun sun goddess Amaterasu]], [[{{Lunacy}} moon god Tsukuyomi]], and [[HostileWeather storm god Susanoo]] were born.

Top