Basics of Faith
Shintoism is often called the "Japanese Religion" because of its influence on Japanese culture over 2000 years in ago. About 83% of the Japanese practices Shintoism. Also, Shintoism coexists with Buddhism.
A Kami is a spirit that is close to a human. Kami respond to prayers and influence the nature around a Shintoist on top of a Shintoist's tradition. It is said that their is over 8 million Kami present in today Shintoism. On the nature perspective of Kami, the mountains have their own Kami.
There are only a few major Gods in the Shinto religion like Hachiman, the god of archery and war. Also, there are two main powers that the Shinto believe in: Musubi and Tsumi. Musubi is the power of creation and purity. The Shinto are born pure with the power of Musubi, but over time they become "polluted". Tsumi is the pollution, or sin, you become polluted with by doing naughty things in the eyes of the Shintoists. There is a Purification Ritual which is called Harae and is done very year to clear away the Tsumi in the body using salts and water. A magic purifying wand is also used; this is a Haraigushi.
The Shinto don't believe in a heaven or underworld. They are all unified, but there are two worlds they do believe in. These worlds are the Kenkai and the Yukai. The Kenkai is the visible, everyday world while the Yukai is the invisible, spirit world that coexists with the Kenkai.
A Kami is a spirit that is close to a human. Kami respond to prayers and influence the nature around a Shintoist on top of a Shintoist's tradition. It is said that their is over 8 million Kami present in today Shintoism. On the nature perspective of Kami, the mountains have their own Kami.
There are only a few major Gods in the Shinto religion like Hachiman, the god of archery and war. Also, there are two main powers that the Shinto believe in: Musubi and Tsumi. Musubi is the power of creation and purity. The Shinto are born pure with the power of Musubi, but over time they become "polluted". Tsumi is the pollution, or sin, you become polluted with by doing naughty things in the eyes of the Shintoists. There is a Purification Ritual which is called Harae and is done very year to clear away the Tsumi in the body using salts and water. A magic purifying wand is also used; this is a Haraigushi.
The Shinto don't believe in a heaven or underworld. They are all unified, but there are two worlds they do believe in. These worlds are the Kenkai and the Yukai. The Kenkai is the visible, everyday world while the Yukai is the invisible, spirit world that coexists with the Kenkai.