Japanese religion

Japan’s indigenous religion is Shinto. It is an ethnic religion that has continued from

Japan’s ancient times to the present day, and has permeated all aspects of Japanese

life and culture, and has the energy to accept foreign cultures including religions and

transform them into a Japanese style.

It is said that Takachiho is a birth place of Japanese indigenous religion, Shinto.

There is a story of Shinto origin in the Cave behind of Amano Iwato Shrine, and Amano Yasugawara.

In the story, Amaterasu, the Shinto sun goddess, became so outraged by her brother’s cruel pranks

that she hid herself in a cave, refusing to come out and depriving the world of her life-giving light.

All of the other gods and goddesses gathered to lure her out. They tried everything they could think

of to no avail until one goddess performed an outrageously ribald dance that caused the other gods

to roar with laughter. Amaterasu left the cave to see what all the fun was about, and in doing so she

returned her light to the world.

Unlike many religions, it has no founder or scripture, and is based on the idea that God

resides in all things. It is an animistic, ancestral spirit-worshipping folk religion that focuses

on myths, eight million gods, nature and natural phenomena.

Japanese Buddhism was introduced through China in the 5th century and is a religion

that has now been incorporated into Japanese life along with Shinto.

What surprises many foreigners is that Japanese people visit shrines and temples.

The reason is that there are two religions in Japan. Shinto and Buddhism have

influenced each other over many years and have become integrated into Japanese life.

Japanese people worship an idol called Hotoke and are in awe of an invisible being

called Kami. I don’t find it strange that I go to Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. ”