Shinto 신토
The way of the kami — sacred presences in mountains, rivers, trees, ancestors and great people. Purity, gratitude and the rhythm of the seasons are expressed at shrines marked by torii gates.
OriginJapan
WhenPrehistoric roots; texts from the 8th c. CE
TextsKojiki, Nihon Shoki (myth-histories)
A practice you can try today
Purifying hands and mouth, two bows–two claps–one bow, seasonal festivals (matsuri), writing wishes on ema.
🕯 Pray in the Five-Colour Shrine Make your own caveSacred places
Related
Korean shamanism (Musok)무속 (한국 샤머니즘)Korea's oldest living religion: the mudang (shaman) mediates between people and spirits — mountain gods, ancestors, the restless dead — through gut rituals of music, dance and costume.Seon / Zen Buddhism선불교 (선종)The meditation school of Mahayana Buddhism: awakening is not far away but is your own original mind, seen directly.
A short introduction written by CavePray from the sources below — not the official voice of any tradition. Follower numbers are rounded estimates that differ by survey. Tell us if something should be corrected.