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Shinto perceives the sacred in nature and the presence of deities in trees, rivers, thunder, stones, waterfalls, mountains, and valleys. The numinous Kami are worshiped, as well as, the ancestral and guardian spirits, and the spirits of national heroes. The sun goddess, Amaterasu is the Chief of the Kami, and the patron deity of Japan. Worship of the Kami usually takes places in shrines located in the beauty of nature, but they may be revered anywhere. Local shrines where festivals take place are the focal point of the community. Every home has a Kamidana, Kami goddess god shelf, which is the focus of daily offerings and reverence. Shintoism, The Way of the Kami, harmoniously coexists with both Confucianism and Buddhism. These three traditions have been woven together into the tapestry of Japanese ethics, customs, culture, attitudes, and overall outlook on life. Some Shinto virtues to be emulated are: observation of Shinto Rites with attentiveness, purity of heart, and authenticity; gratitude for the blessings of the Kami and the beneficence of ancestors; and helpful service to others and the world without regard for reward. Over time, Shinto has ripened into four main forms: Jinja Shinto (The Shrine Shinto), Koshitsu Shinto (Shinto of the Imperial House), Minzoku Shinto (The Folk Shinto), and Shuha Shinto, (The Sect Shinto).
The shrines are the homes
of the Kami and places of worship where festivals, Matsuri, are regularly
celebrated to show Kami the world outside the shrine. Communities organized the
Shinto shrines but imperial Shinto rituals at the court were an important
governmental task performed by the emperor.
The shrines are the homes of the Kami and places of worship where festivals, Matsuri, are regularly celebrated to show Kami the world outside the shrine. Communities organized the Shinto shrines but imperial Shinto rituals at the court were an important governmental task performed by the emperor. In ancient times the rites were performed outdoors. A piece of unpolluted land was roped off in a square and a stand of tree was erected as an invitation to the Kami. This place was called Himorogi. If a rock were chosen instead of a tree, the place was called Iwasaka. After Buddhism came to Japan, the image of Buddha was worshiped in a building. This influenced Shinto to enshrine the Kami spirit in a building and to perform the ancient style of rituals before constructing the buildings. (Jichinsai). With the exception of the medieval period from 1192-1603 when the Japanese enshrined an image of Kami that resembles Buddha, the Kami have been worshipped without an image. The Jinja shrine is usually situated in a natural environment. To give the impression of purity, the architectural style is simple. Many different styles evolved under the influence of Yin-Yang thought and Buddhism. Plain wood and thatched roofs developed into painted materials and sculptures affixed to the buildings. Generally paper or cloth strips attached to a stand or a Heihaku mirror were the objects of worship. A shrine grove and tree lined path leads to the main shrine building (even in urban areas were they are maintained on a smaller scale). Principal Center: Shinto shrines can be found in groves of trees all over Japan.
All the shrines have
Torii, sacred gates, and often contain water for symbolic purification of hands
and mouth; larger shrines have main halls, buildings for offerings, and
oratories. Inside the main hall resides the Goshintai, god-body, which is
sometimes represented by a mirror, but more often, nothing at all. The classic
Shinto shrine is the world-renowned Ise Shrine, the primary cult site for
Amaterasu, the most important of the Kami.
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Shintoism
Shinto Shrine Kami Way 
