Shinto

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Shinto, also known as kami no michior the way of the gods, is an ancient polytheistic religion indigenious to Japan. Shinto is central to the Japanese culture and national identity, since previous to the Second World War, the emporer of Japan claimed diety as a kami.

Instead of focusing on a dogmatic system of ethics and doctrine, Shinto's practices consist of diverse rituals and ceremonies. The kami are the powers of nature associted with the sun, storms, trees, mountains, animals, and other facets of nature.

The entry way into a Shinto shrine is always marked by a torii gate, which symbolizes the border between normal life and the divine. "Torri Gate:torii-gate.jpg A Torii Gate, found at all Shinto shrines to mark the entrance."