Shinto is Japans �goriginal�h religion.
It is very similar to old european and
Northasian  religions.
It worships an imense variety of deitys
called Kami , some are nature spirits,
some are ancestors or heroes.
Like in North-Europe the divine was
Revered in nature.
A grove of trees or a mountain was
the meeting between man and his gods.
There were no images of the divine in
human form.
Later simple structures were erected
and  a symbol ( not an image ) of the 
kami placed there for worship.
Such�@�h���������� were only introduced
after the arrival of buddhism.
Early shinto shrines were build in simple
Style, looking much like farmhouses.
The Idea of purity was evident in early times
and  may be an original concept.
With the introduction of buddhism
Shinto faced many challenges,
just as in europe cristianity took 
old heathen custums,and merged
them with the new religion
buddha and shinto became one.
After that came varios attempts
to seperate them.





Shintoism has no structured congregational worship. However, the 
connecting force is the "kami" translated as "natural deity". Shinto 
followers honour "musuhi" which are the Kami's creative and harmonising 
powers. The will of the Kami is obtained through "makoto" (sincerity or 
true heart). The Shinto virtues are repercussions of makoto; they view 
morality as kindness and unselfishness that will benefit the whole. The 
Sun Goddess is regarded as the chief deity, but the Shinto also revere 
several other spirits which symbolise things of nature and support the 
Kami. 




     The Shinto's sacred shrines, whether it be a waterfall or an emaculate 
building, are dedicated to a specific Kami. Here shrine ceremonies are 
performed. The ceremonies may include washings, prayers, offerings, and 
dances which are all directed to the Kami for his blessings. Seasonal 
services are held at harvest time, planting time, and on special holidays. 
     There are "Four Affirmations" in the Shinto belief system. They are 
as follows: 1) tradition and family, 2) love of nature, 3) physical 
cleanliness, and 4) "matsuri". The family is viewed as the primary force 
in the preservation of customs. Shinto spirits and deities are founded 
upon natural objects. A sound relationship with nature insures a sound 
relationship with the Gods. Physical cleanliness is displayed by frequent 
bathing, hand washing, and mouth rinsing. Lastly, the "matsuri" is a 
festival which honours the Shinto spirits. There are variations of these 
beliefs in the different branches of Shintoism. However, they all follow 
these basic truths. 




Most people will often think of shinto
as nationalistic movement,
like the old germanic faith it
was misused to imperialistic war
making.
Today shinto is a tradition
involved in japanese life.
There is not much interest in 
religion among younger people.
Big shrines attract many people,
and so do big festivals, but there
seema to be a lack of understanding
the faith.Shrines make money be performing
ceromonies such as weddings or by
selling charms and fortune tellingpapers
 


Those are bound to a tree here.
Alltogether the comercial aspect
is strong, any ritual costs.
Many people I have talked to 
assosiate Shinto with imperialism
and fashism and I must confirm
this after my own experiences in
Japan. This is one big obstacle Shinto
needs to overcome in order to 
have future.





Shinto has more than one type of worship. Some of those
 categories are Tennoism, Imperial Family Shinto,
and Household Shinto. 
Tennoism is the notion that the Emperor has the 
embodiment of the Sun Goddess in him.
Hence, he has total authority ov er anyone. 
He has four shrines on his land. 
The shrines are 
Kashiko-dok oro, Korei-den, Shin-den,and Shinka-den.
 
The Kashiko-dokoro shrine was built to honor 
Amaterasuomikami
while the korei-den shrine was made to honor
the previous Emperors.
 
The Shin-den was dedicated to 
the eight myriads of the Gods'. 
The conclusive shrine did not have a specific element to idolize.

Household Shinto is worship at one's home.
 
Worshipers of this type of shinto use a small shrine inside
 their house. 

There,some will conduct private services such as
 commemorating
 ancestors.
 



This is a household shrine.


 
Portable shrine at a festival(matsuri)