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Japanese Religion Research Paper

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Japanese Religion Research Paper
Question: How has the Japanese reliance on the environment determined the nature of their religion?
Japanese religion: Shintoism is the main religion in Japan.

Shintoism:
"Japanese Religion" is a general term used to describe the unique blend of a great variety of religious traditions within Japan. Religion in Japan reflects a long history during which various religious beliefs and practices - some indigenous, some "imported" from other places - have been accepted and personalized to Japanese culture. The ancient indigenous folk religion, later formalized as Shinto, was based on feelings of awe toward the sacred powers (kami) that brought life to the earth and human community. In the 6th century CE, Buddhism was introduced into Japan; it both influenced Shinto beliefs and practices and also incorporated Shinto elements.
Shinto which literally means “The way of the Gods.” It is Japan’s native belief system and predates historical records. Shintoism is basically a
…show more content…
Izanagi thrust his staff into the waters and as he pulled it back up some clumps of mud fell back into the sea. They began to harden and grow until they became the islands of Japan.
The two descended to these islands and began to explore, each going in different directions. They created all kinds of plants. When they met, again they decided to marry and have children to inhabit the land. The first child Izanami bore was a girl of radiant beauty. The gods decided she was too beautiful to live in Japan, so they put her up in the sky and she became the sun. Their second daughter, Tsuki-yami, became the moon and their third and unruly son, Sosano-wo, was sentenced to the sea, where he creates storms.
Later, their first child, Amaterasu, bore a son who became the emperor of Japan and all the emperors since then have claimed descent from him.”

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