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                                                    RELIGION

Religion and the Supernatural

Basic Concepts:

There are two major religions practiced in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism.

Both allow belief in the other (not exclusive) , most Japanese are both Shintoist and Buddhist.
There is no revealed text like the Torah, Bible or Koran.
Buddhism deals largely with the dead, Shin'too (Shinto) with the living. Funeral rites are generally in Buddhism, while marriages, rituals for new houses, and so on are done in Shinto. There are many Shinto matsuri (festivals)
There are many sects of both Buddhism and Shinto
Buddhism has otera "temples", while Shinto has jinja, jingu and "shrines" which are generally marked by a torii or "gateway arch".

Torii at Yasukuni Jinja, Tokyo

SHINTO also called KAMI NO MICHI

Shinto is the indigenous religion, dating back some 2,000 years, while Buddhism is an import from mainland Asia. None the less, Buddhism is felt to be a native religion by Japanese and not an alien one like Christianity.
Sacred places are usually called "shrines" (jinja, jimgu, and taisha) and are marked by a "torii" or "gate".

The religion is largely naturalistic and venerates forces of nature.
Shinto is generally involved in life affirming activities (weddings, building of houses, etc.)

BUDDHISM

Buddhism appears to have been introduced from Korea into Japan in 572. Sacred places are usually called "temples". Buddhism is generally involved with rituals around funerals and ancestors.Like many thinkgs which have been in Japan for so many centuries, Buddhism is seen as a completely Japanese religion by the Japanese, unlike Christianity which is seen as borrowed and somewhat alien.
Among the more famous sects are:
Tendai and Shingon (introduced in Heian Period - 794-1185)
Zen, Nichiren and Pure Land Buddhism (Kamakura Period - 1185-1333)
Shinkoo Shukyuu (new religions) Sooka Gakkai, Risshoo Kooseikai and Reiyuukai) (Post WWII)

FOLK BELIEFS

It is often hard to state with any certainy whether some particular aspect of religion falls into Shinto or Buddhism since the two intermingle rather freely. Most Japanese practice both religions.

There are also a number of folk beliefs that involve a variety of supernaturals such as yurei (ghosts); obake a kind of shape shifter, basically animal, but able to take on human shape; kappa, somewhat dangerous underwater beings with saucer-like tops on their heads which must be kept moist. There are many other creatures like oni "ogres" and rokurokubi, creatures whose heads can detach and return, refastening themselves to the body.