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Although ancient Shinto folk beliefs and rituals were deeply rooted in a distant past, Shintoism, The Way of the Kami, now harmoniously coexists with both Confucianism and Buddhism. These three traditions have been woven together into the tapestry of Japanese ethics, customs, culture, attitudes, and overall outlook on life. The indigenous faith of the Japanese people, Shintoism or The Way of the Gods has neither a founder nor sacred written scriptures like the Bible or the Sutras. Instead, as old as the people themselves, Shinto is deeply rooted in Japanese traditions. The numinous Kami are worshiped, as well as, the ancestral and guardian spirits, and the spirits of national heroes. Worship of the Kami usually takes places in shrines located in the beauty of nature, but they may be revered anywhere. Shinto perceives the sacred in nature and the presence of deities in trees, rivers, thunder, stones, waterfalls, mountains, and valleys. Every home has a Kamidana, Kami Goddess God shelf, which is the focus of daily offerings and reverence. Local shrines where festivals take place are the focal point of the community. Over time, Shinto has ripened into four main forms: Jinja Shinto (The Shrine Shinto), Koshitsu Shinto (Shinto of the Imperial House), Minzoku Shinto (The Folk Shinto), and Shuha Shinto, (The Sect Shinto). Observation of Shinto Rites with attentiveness, purity of heart, and authenticity; gratitude for the blessings of the Kami and the beneficence of ancestors; and helpful service to others and the world without regard for reward are some of the Shinto virtues to be emulated.
Sect Shinto or Shuha Shinto
can be classified into Sect Shinto and New Sect Shinto. Sect Shinto are groups
of Shinto believers (Kurozumikyo, ShintoShuseiha, Izumo Oyashirokyo, Fusokyo,
Jikkokyo, Shinshukyo, Shinto Taiseikyo, Ontakekyo, Shintotaikyo, Misogikyo,
Shinrikyo, Konkokyo, and Tenrikyo) that started individual religious activities
(before 1868 and after 1882) when Shinto shrines were secluded from other
religious institutions as the place for rites and festivals conducted by the
state.
Although Sect Shinto groups follow traditional Shinto rites and festivals and worship the Kami, each group has a founder, its own doctrines, and usually a central figure of divinity to revere. New Sect Shinto groups combine folk beliefs with tenets of Buddhism, Confucianism, Ying Yang cosmology, and in rare instances with monotheism. The Way of the Gods, the indigenous faith of the Japanese people, Shintoism has neither a founder nor sacred written scriptures like the Bible or the Sutras. Instead, as old as the people themselves, Shinto is deeply rooted in Japanese traditions. Shintoism is an optimistic faith that believes all humans are intrinsically good and that all evil is caused by evil spirits. Most of Shinto rituals focus on prayers, purification, and offerings to keep away evil spirits. In Shintoism everything is spiritual with no separation between the material and spiritual. There was no written code of ethics and morals, but over the centuries Confucian Confucianism ethics (the teachings of Kong Zi) were instilled into Shinto, especially during the Edo period.
Today over four million
Japanese visit Shinto shrines to pray for good fortune; to keep away evil
spirits before special events; and to procure talismans. The architecture of the
shrines, Noh theatre, calligraphy, and the court dance music (Gagaku) are all
important features of Shintoism.
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Shintoism
Shinto Shrine Kami Way 
