Shinto

Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan and came into being after a number of tribal religions were combined over 2,500 years ago.
Summary: An introduction and close examination of Japan's indigenous religion
Rating: 5
Part of the scholarly and educational Religions of the World series, Religions of the World: Shinto offers an introduction and close examination of Japan's indigenous religion. Shinto defies simple categorization; it involves the worship of kami, which can be translated as gods, nature spirits, or spiritual presences. Yet kami are not seen as fully transcendent deities, but rather as that which is called down into our world. There is no place or person deemed the most holy, nor is there a set dogma, and the rituals and festivals connected to Shinto simply preach harmony with nature and people. Unlike Buddhism, Shinto focuses upon creating happiness within life, not the hereafter. Author George Williams, Emeritus Professor of Religion at California State University, Chico, is well-versed upon Japanese religion as his numerous published articles attest. Religions of the World: Shinto discusses sacred depths perceived in sound, story, action, space, time, and the ruler, and reflects upon the Shinto's presence and role in modern-day Japan and the world. Black-and-white illustrations enhance this plain terms resource accessible to lay readers and scholars alike, which gives an excellent grounding in the complexity and worldview perceptions of Shinto.