Kami (Shinto deity)

Kami are the revered spirits or deities in Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion. They embody natural elements, ancestors, or sacred places, representing forces of nature, life, and spiritual principles. Kami are seen as compassionate, powerful beings that influence the world and human lives. People honor kami through rituals, offerings, and shrines to foster harmony, gratitude, and protection. Unlike gods in some other religions, kami are not omnipotent or morally perfect; they are revered as manifestations of the divine within the natural world, emphasizing reverence for nature and ancestors as central elements of Shinto practice.