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[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|200px|A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most frequently found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine.]]'''Shinto'''（神道）, also known as 神の道（kami no michi） or the way of the gods, is an ancient [[polytheistic]] and [[animistic]] 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 or any written scriptures. 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.  

[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|200px|A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most frequently found at the entrance of or within a Shinto shrine.]]'''Shinto'''（神道）, also known as 神の道（kami no michi） or the way of the gods, is an ancient [[polytheistic]] and [[animistic]] 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 or any written scriptures. 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.  

Polls show that the religion with the most followers in Japan is Shinto, followed by Buddhism and then Christianity. It should be noted, however, that many Japanese do not consider these religions to be mutually exclusive and often practice a combination of two or all three, such that a majority of the Japanese population practices both Shintoism and Buddhism. Funerals most often held according to the Buddhist tradition with births and marriages being celebrated according to the Shinto tradition, but depending on the individual's beliefs and heritage, these may be reversed<ref>http://www.worldclass.net/TeachingGlobally/WorldReligions/shinto_funerals.htm</ref>. Some Japanese may even go through these ceremonies multiple times in each religion (for example, getting married once in a Christian church and then a traditional Shinto or Buddhist ceremony).

Polls show that the religion with the most followers in Japan is Shinto, followed by Buddhism and then Christianity. It should be noted, however, that many Japanese do not consider these religions to be mutually exclusive and often practice a combination of two or all three, such that a majority of the Japanese population practices both Shintoism and Buddhism. Funerals most often held according to the Buddhist tradition with births and marriages being celebrated according to the Shinto tradition, but depending on the individual's beliefs and heritage, these may be reversed.<ref>http://www.worldclass.net/TeachingGlobally/WorldReligions/shinto_funerals.htm</ref> Some Japanese may even go through these ceremonies multiple times in each religion (for example, getting married once in a Christian church and then a traditional Shinto or Buddhist ceremony).

==Kami==

==Kami==

In Shinto mythology, there are many different deities, and kami (spirits), one of the most famous Shinto deities is, Amaterasu, who the Japanese Royal Family used to claim descent from.

In Shinto mythology, there are many different deities, and kami (spirits), one of the most famous Shinto deities is, Amaterasu, who the Japanese Royal Family used to claim descent from.

'''Amaterasu''' is the sun goddess in Shinto. The most famous story about [[Amaterasu]] tells of her retreat to a cave when her brother, Susano'o, the storm god ravaged the earth with storms. Without the sun goddess, crops began to die and demons roamed the earth. To lure her out of the cave, another goddess performed a dance outside the cave. Hearing the laughter of the gods, Amaterasu peeked out of the cave and saw herself in a mirror hung on a tree. Awed by her own beauty and brightness, she ventured farther out of the cave, where the other gods caught her and pulled her out. <ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/amaterasu.html Amaterasu]</ref> The story is reminiscent of the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] legend of the abduction of Persephone by the [[god]] of the underworld, [[Hades]]. As her mother [[Demeter]], the goddess of the Earth, roamed in search of her daughter, crops withered in the fields and people suffered terribly.

'''Amaterasu''' is the sun goddess in Shinto. The most famous story about [[Amaterasu]] tells of her retreat to a cave when her brother, Susano'o, the storm god ravaged the earth with storms. Without the sun goddess, crops began to die and demons roamed the earth. To lure her out of the cave, another goddess performed a dance outside the cave. Hearing the laughter of the gods, Amaterasu peeked out of the cave and saw herself in a mirror hung on a tree. Awed by her own beauty and brightness, she ventured farther out of the cave, where the other gods caught her and pulled her out.<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/amaterasu.html Amaterasu]</ref> The story is reminiscent of the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] legend of the abduction of Persephone by the [[god]] of the underworld, [[Hades]]. As her mother [[Demeter]], the goddess of the Earth, roamed in search of her daughter, crops withered in the fields and people suffered terribly.

'''Hachiman''' is the Shinto god of war, and the divine protector of the [[Japanese]] people. He is worshipped by the peasants as the god of agriculture, and by the fishermen who hope he will fill their nets. <ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hachiman.html Hachiman]</ref>

'''Hachiman''' is the Shinto god of war, and the divine protector of the [[Japanese]] people. He is worshipped by the peasants as the god of agriculture, and by the fishermen who hope he will fill their nets.<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hachiman.html Hachiman]</ref>

'''Hotei''' is the [[god]] of happiness and laughter and the wisdom of being content in Shinto [[Mythology]].<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hotei.html Hotei]</ref>

'''Hotei''' is the [[god]] of happiness and laughter and the wisdom of being content in Shinto [[Mythology]].<ref>[http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/hotei.html Hotei]</ref>