Sect Shinto Temples

Sect Shinto refers to the various organized religious sects within the broader Shinto tradition in Japan. Unlike the more widely practiced, informal Shinto that focuses on rituals and shrines, Sect Shinto is characterized by structured beliefs, teachings, and dedicated sects led by spiritual leaders. Each sect often emphasizes different aspects of Shinto, such as teachings about deities or rituals for purification. These sects emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, reflecting a desire for doctrinal clarity and spiritual community, while still celebrating the core Shinto values of nature, ancestors, and purification.