Shinto...+Ya+double+Dig?!

**Shinto (or //Kami-no-michi)//**
Time/Place of Origin:

The time of Shinto's origin is unknown. However, Shinto's main religious text, the //Kojiki// and the //Nihongi//, were compiled in 712 A.D. and 720 A.D., respectively. However, some of Shinto's main influences can be attributed to both Chinese and Korean culture. "The word //shinto// means "the way of the gods" and is a term borrowed from a Chinese language" (12). Shinto's alternative name, //Kami-no-michi//, refers to the Japanese word //kami//, or "those above."

By it's nature, Shinto is difficult to discern a specific starting point. It is largely an amalgamation of various ideologies, with emphasis on Japanese mythology and local traditions. Furthermore Shinto combines many ideas of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism. It is this mixing that makes pinpointing starting time or place of origin more or less impossible. Many sects exist and it's practice is not universally standardized.

Key Figures:

"Shinto has no founder, no inspired scriptures, no moral code" (12) (from //Japan//). However, the Japanese people believe that they descended from the Sun-Goddess (and kami), Amaterasu Omikami.

Divine Entities: The most widely worshiped of all kami is the Sun-Goddess, Amaterasu.(jref.com).

Practitioners of the Shinto belief system hold the idea of the //kami// in high respect. Kami represent the spirit, being, or energy of objects. Depictions of kami can be animalistic, elemental (wind, sun, water), or entirely abstract. Kami exist both on a spiritual plane as well as a physical plane. Shrines are generally considered a gateway into the sacred plane on which kami reside and are therefore revered. The central practices of Shinto mainly play into coexisting with the kami and living harmoniously with nature.

Main Scripture/Mythology Text: Compiled in 712 A.D., the //Kojiki// serves as Shinto's main religious text, as well as the //Nihongi//. Other important texts include the //Rikkokushi//, and the //Jinno Shotoki//. Shinto, by its flexible nature, lacks any central organization or primary dogma.

Differences between China, Korea, and Japan: Shinto, while having origins related to Buddhism, Confucionism, and Taoism, is practiced almost entirely in Japan. It was previously recognized as a Japanese state religion. Shinto is therefore almost entirely localized in Japan. Practice in China or Korea is relatively rare.

Reference List:

1. Morton, W. Scott, 1994. //Japan: Its History And Culture//. New York: Second McGraw-Hill, Inc.

2. Sacred-Text Archive. Shinto Documents. Sacred Text Archive: 2010. http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/index.htm

3. Japanese Reference. Japan Glossary—Shinto. Japanese Reference Glossary: 1999-2004. http://www.jref.com/glossary/shinto_traditions.shtml