Shintoism History

With their closely linked start in Japan's history, Shintoism and Buddhism continue to grow in their influence over the country together, with many of their shrines built in the same precincts and families visiting both place of worship for different puposes

Indigenous people of Japan formalize their spiritual practices into the Shinto faith to distinguish themselves from Buddhism

Remains one of the foremost Shinto holy places, and thought to house the kami of the Imperial family

Examples include the Ryobu Shinto and Sanno Shinto schools, with the most common school of Buddhist Shinto holding it's popularity for the next few centuries

Under Emperor Meiji plans to modernize the country and improve nationalism, Shintoism is required to separate itself from Buddhism and made the state religion

This department is made to enforce state Shinto, and aid the government in overseeing the clergy and education system of the nation

During the period of state Shinto, this shrine occupied the highest rank of government-supported holy sites, and is believed to house the kami of the late Emperor and his wife who are buried there

With the embarrassment of defeat in WWII, state Shinto comes to an end and Shintoism temporarily banned since it is associated with the militarism and nationalism that brought about the war