Shinto shrine gate in Nikko, Japan Shinto does not accept that human beings are born bad or impure; in fact, Shinto states that humans are born pure, and share in the divine soul. Badness, impurity, or sin are...

Shinto rituals have survived in close connection with the lives of the Japanese people. It is strongly reflected in modern Japanese people’s lives and daily activities. Japanese people have passed down...

Japan has more than 8,000 Shinto shrines throughout Japan, the original shrine buildings did not exist as we know them today. So, then, when and why were they built? And how did they develop? This article...