Shinto is Japan’s indigenous religion that deifies nature and natural phenomena. While many religions focus on worshipping a single deity or a few gods, Shinto believes that individual deities reside in everything, a concept known as “yaoyorozu no kami” or the “eight million gods.” Shinto has no founder or sacred scriptures like the Bible, and its teachings emphasize that gods dwell within all aspects of the universe, from mountains and oceans to fire and water. The gods in Shinto, which will be introduced later, include various natural elements, and this is one of the religion’s defining features.
“Shinto” does not have any formal scriptures
From a young age, many Japanese children are taught by their parents and teachers that if they lie or misbehave, the gods will punish them. This belief has likely been passed down through generations. Although Shinto lacks formal scriptures, it has become deeply ingrained in the Japanese character. Many households still maintain a “kamidana,” a small household shrine where daily offerings of salt, rice, and water are made to honor and seek protection from the gods. Some families also offer sakaki branches and sake. The author of this blog has been a follower of Shinto since childhood, and while there are historical texts like the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, these are not religious scriptures but rather records of ancient history and the divine lineage of the imperial family.
“Kamidana” is a small altar for worshipping gods at home or in the workplace
In the author’s home, the kamidana is used daily for offerings and prayers. The offerings are often followed by two claps and two bows, with a prayer for purification and protection. The ofuda (talismans) enshrined in the kamidana are purchased from local shrines and are believed to be imbued with the power of the shrine’s deity. These talismans are replaced every year during the New Year period after being returned to the shrine in gratitude. Shinto and Buddhism coexist peacefully in Japan, and the fusion of these religions is not seen as strange. Despite some destruction of religious objects during the Meiji era, the two faiths remain closely intertwined, with Shinto continuing to respect and coexist with other religions.
- This is a sample photo of a “kamidana” (household Shinto altar). Typically, a shelf is installed in a high place on the west side of the living room, and the ofuda (Shinto talisman) is enshrined facing east.
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