shinto

Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spiritual tradition, is a profound tapestry woven from the veneration of kami—supernatural entities believed to inhabit all aspects of nature and existence. This polytheistic and animistic faith emphasizes purity and harmony between humans and the natural world, with rituals centered around offerings, purification practices, and seasonal festivals at shrines. Without a central doctrine or sacred scriptures, Shinto thrives as a diverse collection of local practices that seamlessly integrate with other belief systems like Buddhism, reflecting the Japanese cultural ethos of coexistence and reverence for life.