Do you know Japanese mythology?

Musashi-Mitake Shrine (Mt. Mitake,Oume,Tokyo)

Shinto and Japanese Mythology

Japanese religion is very unique. Although Japan is known to be Buddhism country in general, there has been a original religion called "Shinto" before Buddhism was introduced in 6th century through Korean Peninsula. Even now the Japanese has believed two religions, their characteristic Shinto and Buddhism. The population of Christian is no more than 1% in Japan. Shinto is the polytheism like ancient Egypt or ancient Greece, it differs from monotheism such as Christianity, the Judaism and Islam. Shinto is also Pantheism. It believe in gods, goddesses and spirits reside in all materials, elements and phenomena of nature. This is expressed as "8,000,000 of gods, goddesses and spirits" (yaoyorozu-no-kami ). The origin of Shinto is uncertain. However, it is thought that it was originated from the native belief before 4th century when there was no written record.

Shinto has no doctrine like Bible. In 712, the Empress Genmei (666 -721) ordered to collect and record myths, folklore and tales from all over Japan.These stories were oral history and mythologies of forefathers in Japan and were recorded to "Kojiki" in written language. However it is the official document of Yamato Imperial Court (the ancient royal court), therefore it also has a political side. Most parts of Kojiki is concerned about the genealogy from the Sun Goddess "Amaterasu" who was the ancestor of the house of the emperor, but also myths tell us the story of the native races those who were conquered by the Yamato race in ancient time.

Japanese adopted Buddhism and Confucianism after 6th century, via China and Korea. In addition, after 19th century, Japan carried out adopting Western civilization positively to be the modernized country. Magnanimous disposition of the Japanese who do not reject different culture might have been cultivated by believing polytheism religions.