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[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|200px|Torii Gate]]Shinto（神道）, also known as 紙の道（kami no michi） or the way of the gods, is an ancient polytheistic religion indigenous to Japan. Shinto has played a large role in shaping of Japanese culture and identity. Shinto, unlike Buddhism or Christianity, has no known founder. It was not until the late prehistoric [[Yayoi]] culture ca.(300BC - 300AD) that features emerged that are reminiscent of some of the religion's central aspects (for example, the kami). Archaic Shinto seems to have evolved by the beginning of the final phase of Japanese prehistory, the 古墳(Kofun, or Tumulus) era (ca. 300-550AD) This belief system was locally based, focusing on the spiritual power inherent in nearby topographical features and on the divine ancestors of clans and lineages. As the Yamato (Sun) clan gained influence over the others, its divine ancestor, the sun goddess Amaterasu (アマテラス様) rose to prominence. The Imperial Family of Japan in ancient times claimed familial relationship to the sun goddess.

[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|200px|Torii Gate]]Shinto（神道）, also known as 神の道（kami no michi） or the way of the gods, is an ancient polytheistic religion indigenous to Japan. Shinto has played a large role in shaping of Japanese culture and identity. Shinto, unlike Buddhism or Christianity, has no known founder. It was not until the late prehistoric [[Yayoi]] culture ca.(300BC - 300AD) that features emerged that are reminiscent of some of the religion's central aspects (for example, the kami). Archaic Shinto seems to have evolved by the beginning of the final phase of Japanese prehistory, the 古墳(Kofun, or Tumulus) era (ca. 300-550AD) This belief system was locally based, focusing on the spiritual power inherent in nearby topographical features and on the divine ancestors of clans and lineages. As the Yamato (Sun) clan gained influence over the others, its divine ancestor, the sun goddess Amaterasu-o-Mikami (天照大御神) rose to prominence. The Imperial Family of Japan in ancient times claimed familial relationship to the sun goddess.

==Kami==

==Kami==

Shinto as a religion focuses around the worship and veneration of deities known as [[Kami]](紙). The word refers to divinity, or spiritual power, and is used to mean "God" or "Spirit." Many kami are the representation of powers of nature associated with the sun, storms, trees, mountains, animals, and other facets of nature. Through veneration and tradition, a healthy respect for the natural world.

Shinto as a religion focuses around the worship and veneration of deities known as [[Kami]](神). The word refers to divinity, or spiritual power, and is used to mean "God" or "Spirit." Many kami are the representation of powers of nature associated with the sun, storms, trees, mountains, animals, and other facets of nature. Through veneration and tradition, a healthy respect for the natural world.

In 1871 Shinto was established as a state religion, and was used as a mechanism for fostering nationalism and loyalty to the emperor. This time period is when the name "Shinto" was first used to describe the religion.

In 1871 Shinto was established as a state religion, and was used as a mechanism for fostering nationalism and loyalty to the emperor. This time period is when the name "Shinto" was first used to describe the religion.