WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -and culture. Japanese culture is based on the nature worship of Shinto and is roughly divided into two types: the worship of souls and spirits, which reveres the deceased’s souls as Kami, and the worship of Imperial ancestors’ souls, keeping in reverence the ruler of the people.

Detailed explanation-2: -A polytheistic and animistic religion, Shinto revolves around supernatural entities called the kami (). The kami are believed to inhabit all things, including forces of nature and prominent landscape locations.

Detailed explanation-3: -In essence, Shinto is a sense of nature, or a way of seeing nature, which acknowledges the spiritual power of natural entities – tama. This spiritual power is not dualistically separate from matter. A tree, a mountain or a river – i.e. nature itself – embodies this spiritual power.

Detailed explanation-4: -Shinto beliefs have become so intertwined with Japanese culture that the two are often difficult to separate. The Japanese have a great respect for nature, family, and ancestors, and they often promote the group above the individual. All of these ideas come from Shinto.

Detailed explanation-5: -Ujigami, the ancestors of the clans: in tribal times, each group believed that a particular kami was both their ancestor and their protector, and dedicated their worship to that spirit. Kami of natural objects and creatures, and of the forces of nature. The souls of dead human beings of outstanding achievement.

Detailed explanation-6: -"Shinto gods” are called kami. They are sacred spirits which take the form of things and concepts important to life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers and fertility.