Shinto outside Japan

[windcarver]

Is Shinto practiced anywhere outside of Japan? I was wondering this because it is classified as a major world religion, but it is so strongly based on Ancient Japanese folklore and the like that it would be hard for someone outside of Japan to follow the religion. Does this mean it is only a major world religion because of the huge population of Japan? Or has it spread out across the world?

[windcarver]

Anyone?

[nutshell]

I don't believe Shinto is original to Japan, but came from other parts of Asia, probably China. There aren't many practicing Shinto anymore...it's pretty much been replaced by Budhism.

[Ody]

Originally Posted by nutshell

I don't believe Shinto is original to Japan, but came from other parts of Asia, probably China. There aren't many practicing Shinto anymore...it's pretty much been replaced by Budhism.

Its still practiced in Japan, my father actually was taken to a shinto temple in tokyo. And i think my friend Shaw, whos parents immigrated to america from japan, practices shintoism (i think 0.0)

[nutshell]

Originally Posted by AlanGurvey

Its still practiced in Japan, my father actually was taken to a shinto temple in tokyo. And i think my friend Shaw, whos parents immigrated to america from japan, practices shintoism (i think 0.0)

I never said it was no longer practiced in Japan.

[Ody]

I mean't it still is up there with buddhism. Its basically neck and neck with Zen Buddhism in the numbers.

[Mind_Zenith]

Sorry to dredge this up, but I've got some factoids that may be of interest

I know Tenrikyo, Konkokyo and Omotokyo all are established outside of Japan. These aren't so much Shinto religions as religions with a lot of Shinto background, and ways similar to Shinto. Of these "new religions" as they are called, the most similar to Shinto is Kurozumikyo (which is worship of Ama-Terasu as the supreme being), but there isn't much in the way of english material on the subject.
There is a very famous temple in the USA. which actually has a caucasian priest as one if its servers. I'm not sure of the name, but in google directory under shinto, it's one of the first.
There's also a "sect" of Shinto created in the USA called "Interi Shinto", which was created by a former southern baptist minister. Might be worth a look.

Hope that's of assistance

[LuisDantas]

Originally Posted by nutshell

I don't believe Shinto is original to Japan, but came from other parts of Asia, probably China. There aren't many practicing Shinto anymore...it's pretty much been replaced by Budhism.

I happen to live in the country with the largest foreign community of Japanese descendants (Brazil) and I must say, those are two puzzling statements.

For one, Shinto is nothing if not original to Japan. It's not like it leaves a lot of room for doubt, either. It is VERY native indeed. It is also, of course, similar to many other faiths oriented to spirits and nature, but even then it has a very strong proper identity.

For another, the very though of Buddhism replacing Shinto is somewhat weird. There is neither evidence nor reason to expect such a replacement to happen, and for cultural reasons it would be a very unlikely event.

[Watchmen]

Originally Posted by LuisDantas

I happen to live in the country with the largest foreign community of Japanese descendants (Brazil) and I must say, those are two puzzling statements.

For one, Shinto is nothing if not original to Japan. It's not like it leaves a lot of room for doubt, either. It is VERY native indeed. It is also, of course, similar to many other faiths oriented to spirits and nature, but even then it has a very strong proper identity.

For another, the very though of Buddhism replacing Shinto is somewhat weird. There is neither evidence nor reason to expect such a replacement to happen, and for cultural reasons it would be a very unlikely event.

According to wikipedia, Shinto was influenced by 5th Century Chinese writings. It also says: "While some Shinto practices and teachings were given a great deal of confidence during World War II, they are no longer taught or practiced today." I lived in Japan for a couple years and my wife is native Japanese. If you asked people on the street what religion they are they will almost always answer Buddhist. I found very few people who answered Shinto. Perhaps it was better maintained in Brazil.

[LuisDantas]

It isn't.

Then again, I don't think it is accurate to find out about Shinto that way.