Final answer:
Shintoism is the traditional religion in Japan. This ethnic religion is deeply rooted in the worship of spirits called kami and involves practices that connect Japan to its ancient past. Shintoism coexists with Buddhism, often sharing life events such as weddings and funerals between the two belief systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shintoism is the traditional religion in C. Japan. Shintoism is known for recognizing spirits called kami, which exist in natural elements such as plants, animals, rocks, and landscapes, as well as in man-made places like shrines. These shrines are often marked by torii gates which symbolize the transition from the mundane world to a sacred, spiritual space. Shinto beliefs and practices are deeply intertwined with the veneration of ancestors and divinities representing the forces of nature.
Shintoism is one of the main religious traditions in Japan, alongside Buddhism, and it focuses on a loosely organized set of beliefs centered around morality, sensibility, and the performance of ritualistic practices. These practices aim to connect modern-day Japan with its ancient past, maintaining a cultural continuity that has evolved over millennia. Shintoism and Buddhism often coexist in Japan, with some individuals visiting Shinto shrines for certain life events and Buddhist temples for others, like funerals.
Throughout history, Japan has seen the influence of multiple religious traditions such as Confucianism and Buddhism due to its contacts with China and Korea. However, despite these external influences, Japan has fostered and maintained its unique traditional religion, Shintoism. This religion and its practices form an integral part of the Japanese identity and cultural heritage.