Kami are powerful spirits worshipped in the Shinto religion. They are considered to be elemental beings who embody the forces of nature. They are manifestations of musubi, an interconnecting energy…

Read our guide to Japan's most important Shinto kami and their primary shrines throughout the islands.

Beautifully presented is an antique traditional Shinto woodblock portrait of Toyouke Omikami 豊受大神. Toyouke is the kami guardian of food, agriculture, homes and clothing. She holds a sheaf of grain.

Komainu, also known as lion-dogs, are mythical lion-like creatures commonly found in Japanese Shinto shrines. (Shinto is a Japanese indigenous religious practice centered on the worship of kami, spirits associated with natural elements and ancestral beings.) They are considered protectors against evil spirits. These creatures are characterized by their fierce appearance, and they are often depicted in pairs. In each pair, one statue typically has an open mouth to expel evil, and the other…

Dive into Shinto, Japan's ancient religion, exploring its unique symbols from nature's kami to sacred shrines and rituals.

Much of the mythology and pantheon of Japanese gods is derived from the traditional folklore of Shinto – one of the major religions of Japan.

Webcomic: Available as a poster from our store.

An exhibition of rarely seen, ancient art explores the complex ideas and rich expressions of Japan’s indigenous religion.

Ōkuninushi (Japanese: 大国主) was a famous hero and one of the more personable gods as part of the Japanese Izumo mythology. His name literally translates to "Great Land-Owner" or "Great Land Master" and he was in charge of firming the land during creation. He was known as the Lord of the Central Land of Reed Plains (another name for Japan). In Shintoism, Okuninushi-no-Mikoto is considered the god of the earth and the underworld, as well as of relationships, nation-building, commerce, medicine…

Kami derived from nature — such as the kami of rain, the kami of wind, the kami of the mountains, the kami of the sea, and the kami of thunder — have a deep relationship with our lives and a profound influence over our activities.