Anna Lee, Jason Lewis, Nahya Pelito, Sora Shojae |
Introduction to Shinto
Different Types of Shinto
There are four main different types or variations of Shinto. The most popular and closest to its original form of Shinto is Jinja Shinto. It has been known to go back to times before there were even written records. Jinja Shinto relates to the worship and belief in the Kami at the Shinto shrines under the Association of Shinto Shrines. Another type is Kyoha Shinto which was originally formed in the 1800's. Here, there are 13 different sectarians, all of which are formally acknowledged by the government. The beliefs are very localized depending to what sectarian they are a part of; some are even monotheistic as opposed to polytheistic. A less popular form of Shinto is Minzoku Shinto. It is more folk orientated and was not affected by national reforms. Minzoku is most commonly practiced by families and small villages. The fourth type of Shinto is Koshitsu Shinto, which regards the rituals that are performed by the Japanese emperor. There are clergy that help the emperor to perform the rituals.