Kami is the Japanese word for a god, deity, divinity, or spirit. It has been used to describe mind (心霊), God (ゴッド), supreme being (至上者), one of the Shinto deities, an effigy, a principle, and anything that is worshipped.
Shinto (Japanese, "the way of the gods"), Japanese cult and religion, originating in prehistoric times, and occupying an important national position for long periods in the history of Japan, particularly in recent times.
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These esoteric practices include a form of meditation called chinkon, by means of which one seeks union with the divine spirits (kami), plus physical exercises and special purification rites. The end goal, roughly speaking, is to achieve "kami-hood" and to become a divine spirit oneself.
According to Inoue (2003): "In modern scholarship, the term is often used with reference to kami worship and related theologies, rituals and practices. In these contexts, 'Shinto' takes on the meaning of 'Japan's traditional religion', as opposed to foreign religions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and so forth."
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Scholars in Japan have estimated that between 10% and 20% of the population belongs to the new religions, although more realistic estimates put the number at well below the 10% mark. As of 2007, there are 223,831 priests and leaders of the new religions in Japan, three times the number of traditional Shinto priests.
Though Shinto has no absolute commandments for its adherents aside from living "a simple and harmonious life with nature and people", there are four affirmations of the Shinto spirit. The family is seen as the main mechanism through which tradition is preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
