Shinto has no founder, no sacred literature in which the religion is based, and no ethical requirement. The main aspects in the practice of Shinto are affinity with natural beauty, harmony with spirits, and purification rituals. The common followers of this religion are the Japanese. They believed the divine to be all around them because the beauty and power of nature surrounded them.

“In Shinto, the sacred is both immanent and transcendent (218).” The deity was believed to have given birth to several kami, or spirits. The Amatsu Kami organized the material world, and the Kami Amaterasu, the Goddess of the sun, created all of the natural world – land, water, animals, and people. When the two were combined in relationship the spiritual creation of the kami ev

Shintoism has many regular and special festivals throughout a person life. Seasonal festivals are a way for people and the kami to join in celebrating life, and to remind them that they are descendants of the kami. Festivals are also intended to remind people to live in gratitude for all that they have received. Many festivals are directed towards agriculture in hopes for good crops. The majority of other festivals were ceremonies to respect those individuals reaching specific ages. Followers of Shintoism do not attempt to convert others to practice their system of belief. Most individuals who visit the shrine and pray to the kami during festivals do not think of themselves as Shintoist, usually only the priestly community view themselves as such.

All in all, Shintoism is a unique eastern religion whose belief system is not limited to or, restricted by a sacred text. Spirituality, and becoming one with the universe, is of main importance in this religion. Shintoism is an experiential belief system reliant on all that surrounds one in the natural world.

Purification is also essential in Shintoism because it gets rid of ritual impurities that offend the kami. In Shinto there is no sin because the world is perceived as beautiful and full of beneficial spirits. Impurity or misfortune is referred to as tsumi and requires purification. There are several ways for followers of this religion to obtain purification. For example, a person can be purified spo

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