History UsefulNotes / Shinto

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

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 [[PublicDomainArtifact Kusanagi]]. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

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

Shinto coexists easily with other religions. It shares the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. It's not unusual for a Japanese person to start life in Shintoism as his or her name is registered in the nearby shrine, to be acknowledged by the local gods as the new member of the community, hold a marriage the Western (Christian) way, probably because [[RuleOfCool it's cool]], then leave this world as a Buddhist with a Buddhist funeral.

As for the GodEmperor belief, some people see it as an imposition used to consolidate power into the emperor and central government (pre-Meiji Restoration) and into the emperor and military (post-Meiji Restoration) and vociferously reject it in favor of a view of the inherent divinity of all humanity. 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.

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.

NeedsMoreLove.

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.

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 [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the [[PublicDomainArtifact Kusanagi]]. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

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 jewelled spear]], 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.

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

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 jewelled spear]], 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.

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 influence 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).

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 coexists easily with other religions. It shares the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. It's not unusual for a Japanese to start life in Shintoism as his or her name is registered in the nearby shrine, to be acknowledged by the local gods as the new member of the community; then hold a marriage the Western (Christian) way, probably because [[RuleOfCool it's cool]]; then leave this world as a Buddhist with a Buddhist funeral.

Shintō (神道[[hottip:*:lit. ''divine path'']]) 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.

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 influence 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, some people see it as an imposition used to consolidate power into the emperor and central government (pre-Meiji Restoration) and into the emperor and military (post-Meiji Restoration) and voiciferously reject it in favor of a view of the inherent divinity of all humanity. 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.

Shinto coexist easily with other religions. It's sharing the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. It's not unusual for a Japanese to start life in Shintoism as his or her name is registered in the nearby shrine, to be acknowledged by the local gods as the new member of the community; then hold a marriage the Western (Christian) way, probably because [[RuleOfCool it's cool]]; then leaving this world as a Buddhist with a Buddhist funeral.

Highly related to JapaneseMythology. Subtrope including {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, {{Ofuda}}, {{Youkai}}. See also {{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic. Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practice.

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), 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.

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 jewelled spear]], 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]]. [[ItGotWorse 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.

Subtrope including {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, {{Ofuda}}, {{Youkai}}. See also {{Buddhism}} and ReligionIsMagic.
Compare Wicca, Druidism, and Heathenry, for similar animistic folk practice.

Shintō (神道) 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.

See also {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, {{Buddhism}}, {{Ofuda}}, {{Youkai}}, ReligionIsMagic.

Shinto coexist easily with other religions. It's sharing the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. It's not unusual for a Japanese to start life in Shintoism as his or her name is registered in the nearby shrine, to be acknowledged by the local gods as the new member of the community; then hold a marriage the Western (Christian) way , probably because [[RuleOfCool it's cool]]; then leaving this world as a Buddhist with a Buddhist funeral.

Shinto coexist easily with other religions. It's sharing the space in people's heart with Buddhism and Taoism. It's not unusual for a Japanese to start life in Shintoism as his or her name is registered in the nearby shrine, to be acknowledged by the local gods as the new member of the community; then hold a marriage the Western (Christian) way[[hottip*:RuleOfCool]]; then leaving this world as a Buddhist with a Buddhist funeral.

Shintō (神道) 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.

See also {{Miko}}, ShrinesAndTemples, {{Onmyodo}}, {{Buddhism}}, {{Ofuda}}, {{Youkai}}, ReligionIsMagic

Shinto (神道 Shintō) 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.

Shinto (神道 Shintō?) 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.

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 saki]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the [[PublicDomainArtifact Kusanagi]]. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

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 jewelled spear]], 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 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]]. [[ItGotWorse 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.

Shinto (神道 Shintō?) 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. NeedsMoreLove.

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 jewelled spear]], 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 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]]. [[ItGotWorse 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.

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 saki]] and [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu killing it]]. Inside its body, he found the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Ama-no-Murakumo]], which was later renamed the [[PublicDomainArtifact Kusanagi]]. He married Kushinada and presented the Kusanagi to his sister as a peace offering and was accepted back into the heavens.

Shinto (神道 Shintō?) 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. NeedsMoreLove.