Shinto


	Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion. Starting about 500 BCE (or earlier) it was originally "an amorphous mix of nature worship, fertility cults, divination techniques, hero worship, and shamanism." Its name was derived from the Chinese words "shin tao" (The Way of the Gods) in the 8th Century CE. At that time: The Yamato dynasty consolidated its rule over most of Japan. Divine origins were ascribed to the imperial family. Shinto established itself as the official religion of Japan, along with Buddhism. The complete separation of Japanese religion from politics did not occur until just after World War II. The Emperor renounced his divinity at that time. "Shinto has no real founder, no written scriptures, no body of religious law, and only a very loosely-organized priesthood."

	The International Shinto Foundation An accredited non-profit organization associated with the United Nations The Religious Tolerance Organization: Shinto A basic page a number of links to other sites and basic information; a good "jumping off" site. Wellsprings of Japanese Spirituality An article written by Paul Watt for the Asia Society's Focus on Asian Studies, Vol. II, No. 1, Asian Religions, pp. 21-23, Fall 1982. Copyright AskAsia, 1996. A good resource! Shinto: The Way of the Gods An article on Shinto from the Trinity College Journal. It has excellent pictures to supplement the text