Traditional Religion of Japan: Shintoism

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Beliefs
Shinto is the traditional religion of Japan. It means “the way of the kami”. Shintoism is mainly focused on beliefs in, and worships of Kami. Kami are spiritual or divine beings. They are sometimes referred to as the ‘gods’ in Shinto. But rather than the powerful and supernatural beings seen in Western religion, Kami is more like a mystical and sacred spirit that exist in the creative forces of nature. Shintoism follows the belief of animism, which is the belief that natural, material objects possess souls. These sacred spirits, called Kami are able to take the form of different things in nature. Kami not only exists as spiritual beings, but also takes the form of plants and animals, mountains and seas, and all natural phenomena.
In contrast to many other religions, Shintoism does not have a formalized system of rules or regulations, or official moral principles. This is also what makes Shintoism so unique and different to many other religions.
In Shintoism, purity is very important. Shintoism follows the belief that no human is perfect. They believe that all humans are born pure on the inside. Things that make humans impure are tsumi, which is pollution or sin. Shinto followers believe that the ones who cause impurity are evil spirits, and they are the ones who cause evil doings in the world.

Myths and other stories
There are several deities that appear in several stories, all having their own special and significant role. The Shinto creation story tells of two main deities, Izanagi and Izanami. As Izanagi and Izanami stood on the floating bridge of heaven, they thrusted a jeweled spear into the ocean. As the spear touched the water, it created an island called Onogoro, which was the mainland of Japan. Izanagi and Izan...

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...tural powers.
Shinto followers believe that the waterfall is the home of the mountain kami spirits, or gods. Many also believe that the Nachi Waterfall is the central part of all supernatural power and kami in the Kumano Mountain. Near the base of the water, the Kumano Nachi Grand shrine was built in order to worship the local kami. Ancient legends of Shinto also describe how kami from all over Japan would come to the Nachi Waterfall to purify themsleves every year.

Yoshino Mikumari Shrine

Yoshino Mikumari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located at the top of Yoshino Mountain. This Shrine is dedicated to Ameno Mikumari, a female Deity of water. Her name Mikumari sounds similar to the word ‘mikomori’ which means pregnant in Japanese, so she is very well known for safe childbirth. It is believed that she will bestow fertility and easy delivery on those that pray to her.

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