Shinto

Shinto or Shintoism (The way of the Gods) is a polytheism religion, meaning they had many gods that they worshiped. Shintoism is the religious beliefs and practices of Japan. There is no founder, no orthodox canon of sacred literature, and no explicit code of ethical requirements. Shintoism seems to be influenced by Buddhism and Confucianism, and is strongly connected to nature and honors the Spirits/Gods or “Kami” in nature. The Kami harmonize heaven and earth and also guide the solar system and the cosmos. It/they tend to reside in beautiful or powerful places, such as the mountains, certain trees, unusual rocks, waterfalls, whirlpools, and animals. In addition, it/they manifest as wind, rain, thunder, or lightning, Kami also appear in abstract forms, such as the creativity of growth and reproduction. Each of these Kami’s has a name but there are far too many so I will just name a few important ones.
Izanagi is the forefather of the Gods, he is the first male as well as the God of Creation and Life. He and his wife, Izanami, were responsible for the birth of the islands of Japan and many Kami, he created Amaterasu, Susanoo and Tsukuyomi. Izanami is Izanagi's wife and sister, she is the first female as well as the Goddess of Creation and Death. Amaterasu-O-Mi-Kami or commonly called Amaterasu, is the Goddess of the Sun. Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto also known as Tsukiyomi, is the God of the Moon. Susanoo-no-Mikoto or Susano-o, is the God of Storms as well as the God of the Sea in some cases.
To honor all of these Kami humans built many shrines, even in Japan today there are over 100,000 shrines. Along with shrines there are also Shinto ceremonies that are designed to appeal to the kami for benevolent treatment and protection and consist of abstinence, offerings, prayers and purification. Purification, by washing with water, symbolically removes the dust and impurities that cover one's inner mind. Shintoism does not have weekly religious services, some may go to the...