Shinto: A Native Religion

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Shinto is a native religion of Japan and the people of Japan. It is defined as an action centered religion, focused on ceremonial practices to be carried out thoroughly, to establish a assembly between present-day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and organized in the written historical records of the Jokiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century (Nelson 7-8). Still, these early Japanese writings do not refer to a joined “Shinto religion”, but rather to a gathering of native beliefs and mythology.
Shinto today is a term that applies to the religion of public shrines devoted to the worship of a multitude of gods, also known as Kami, suited to various purposes such as war memorials and harvest festivals, and applies …show more content…

Shinto does seem to assert the basic goodness of human nature in various ways. One aspect of Shinto that supports this would be the creation story itself. In the creation story, at the beginning of time, the heavens and the earths were mixed together in a great cloud. Gradually the cloud separated, the clearer parts of the cloud rose up and became heaven. The heavier parts of the cloud descended and became an ocean of muddy water. Between the heavens and the earth, a pale green sprout began to grow. When the plant’s flower burst open, the First god emerged. This First god then created Izanagi, the god of all that is light and heavenly and his wife Izanami. Izanagi was then presented with the task of finishing the creation of the world. Standing on a rainbow called Ama-no-ukihashi (the floating bridge of the heavens), he plunged a jewel crested spear into the ocean. When they pulled the spear back, the water that dripped from the spear began to form the first island of the Japanese archipelago. Izanagi and Izanami went and settled down on this island and together, they made the islands of …show more content…

The religion of Shinto has very little to say about the afterlife. This is because the religion focuses on harmony between nature and society using the Kami to cement the relationship. Those who die with regrets become earthbound evil spirits until their spirit can be released. Although there is a High Plain of Heaven where the Kami reside, it's not really offered as a reward for doing well in life. In Shinto you're expected to make your own heaven on earth, so you will return as a good spirit.
Shinto, however, does not seem to accept all aspects of nature, as there is an obvious lack of consideration for death and decay. In the old stories of Shinto, in fact, there seems to be an outright rejection of death, which is most definitely a part of nature. The Dark Land is only described once, in the tale of the death of Izanami. It is described as basically a giant underground cavern, inhabited by monsters, and with its own gods that even Izanami has to obey.
Shinto has long been a life of Japan’s culture. As long as Japanese culture exists, Shinto will continue to be a meaningful part of it. The religion bases itself on the basic goodness of human nature and of the world. It is apparent that it will continue to do so through the ways of its ethical principles of worship and of the

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