Shinto (Japanese tradition)

Shinto is Japan’s indigenous spiritual tradition, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with nature, ancestors, and kami—divine spirits or sacred entities inhabiting natural objects like trees, mountains, and rivers. It is characterized by rituals and practices that honor these spirits through offerings, purification, and festivals, fostering community and spiritual well-being. Shinto lacks a formal dogma and emphasizes reverence for nature, tradition, and the cycles of life. It often coexists with Buddhism in Japan, shaping cultural practices and values, and plays a vital role in life events such as births, weddings, and seasonal celebrations.