What is Shinto?

Shinto is an indigenous Japanese tradition characterized by a lack of systematized doctrine or a single founder. The term 'Shinto' translates to 'the way of the Kami'. Kami are complex entities, not simply gods or spirits, often representing divine personalities, natural forces, or even deified humans like Tenjin, the Kami of education. The concept of Kami differs from transcendent gods in other religions, being more immanent and not strictly good or evil.

Kami veneration dates back to ancient times, with identified ritual practices from the Yayoi period. The term 'Shinto' emerged in the 6th century with the spread of Buddhism, which profoundly influenced Shinto. Initially, Kami veneration was a local practice tied to community well-being and agricultural production. The Yamato Court later promoted the sun goddess Amaterasu as their divine ancestor, leading to a more unified system, though local shrine traditions remained significant. Shinto underwent major transformation during the Meiji Restoration, leading to the creation of State Shinto and Sect Shinto, and was legally separated from the state after World War II.

Shinto emphasizes practice over explicit belief, promoting virtues like purity, sincerity, and gratitude. Impure actions (Tsumi) can be purified through rituals, as humans are not considered innately or permanently polluted. Kami veneration primarily takes place at shrines (Jinja), which can be identified by Torii gates and Shimenawa ropes indicating sacred space. Priests perform rituals involving purification, offerings, prayers (Norito), and sometimes dances. Visitors can also perform personal prayers and acquire ritual items.

People visit shrines for various reasons, including seasonal festivals, rites of passage, and New Year blessings. A typical visit includes bowing at the Torii gate, purifying oneself at a Temizuya (washing station), and then approaching the Kami. The ritual involves ringing a bell, offering a coin, bowing twice, clapping twice to get the Kami's attention, and bowing once more. Visitors can also leave votive plaques (Ema) and collect Goshuin stamps.

Measuring religiosity in Japan is complex, as many people visit shrines and participate in rituals without identifying as religious. Unlike Western cultures where religious affiliation and practice are often linked, in Japan, one can engage in Shinto practices without claiming a Shinto identity. Shinto priests generally welcome people of different faiths to visit shrines as long as they show respect.

The video's sponsor is the Freedom Forum's Religious Freedom Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the principles of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and promoting religious literacy from a non-sectarian perspective. They are hosting a free online seminar on American religious history, focusing on a smallpox epidemic in 1721 Boston and the role of an enslaved African man, Onesimus, in introducing inoculation.