Mystical Mythology of the World

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SHINTO

The Kojiki is one of the two primary sources for Shinto, the Japanese national religion. It starts in the realm of myth, with the creation of Japan from foam. Innumerable gods and goddesses are described. The narrative moves from mythology to historical legends, and culminates in a chronology of the early Imperial line.

Shinto first appeared in Japan around 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).

Shinto has no real founder, no written scriptures, no body of religious law, and only a very loosely-organized priesthood.


Shinto Temple

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Of all the mass of Japanese literature, as the result of nearly twelve centuries of book-making, the most important Monument is the work is entitled Ko-ji-ki 1 or "Records of Ancient Matters," which was completed in A. D. 712. It is the most important because it has preserved more faithfully than any other book the mythology, the manners, the language, and the traditional history of Ancient Japan.

The kami-faith is caught, not taught.

Shinto Proverb


 

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