The main religions in Japan were highly important to social and political structures. The three main belief systems were Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Shinto was the ancient indigenous folk religion of Japan, based on feelings of awe toward sacred powers that brought life. Buddhism was introduced from China in the 6th century and influenced Shinto beliefs while incorporating Shinto elements. Confucianism and Taoism also migrated from China, impacting Japanese culture, philosophy, and politics. Japanese religion adopted rituals and concepts from these Chinese influences.

1. Key Questions
What were the main
religions and why
were they
important?
What was the Shinto
Myth?

2. Religion and Power
● Highly important part of life for Japanese people
● Influenced social and political structures
● 3 main belief systems -
● Shinto
● Buddhism (including Zen Buddhism)
● Confucianism

3. ● "Japanese Religion" is a general term
used to describe the unique
combination 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 adopted and adapted 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.
Shinto shrine

4. ● In the 6th century C.E., Buddhism
was introduced into Japan; it both
influenced Shinto beliefs and
practices and also incorporated
Shinto elements.
● Both Confucianism and Taoism
migrated to Japan, impacting
Japanese culture, religion,
philosophy, and politics.
● Japanese religion adopted Chinese
Buddhist rituals, Taoist story-telling
and divination, as well as
Confucian concepts of piety and
ancestor veneration.
Buddhist Shrine Japan

5. View the clip and consider the different beliefs events that are part of each
belief

6. Activity
Read pages 396 and 397, draw up a table
like the one below and complete
How the religion was
introduced
Key aspects and how this
influences life
Shinto
Buddhism
Confucianism

7. Shinto
● Shinto ("the way of the gods")
is the indigenous faith of the
Japanese people and as old as
Japan itself. It remains Japan's
major religion alongside
Buddhism.
● "Shinto gods" are called kami.
They are sacred spirits which
take the form of things and
concepts important to life, such
as wind, rain, mountains, trees,
rivers and fertility.
● The oldest religion in Japan
● Part of early clan life

8. Comic creator
Form groups of 3
Use the internet tool - “Pixton” to recreate
the story on page 391 of the Shinto myth
Or
You can sketch your own hand drawn comic