35 History

The development of Shinto throughout much of Japanese history shows a continually changing relationship in regard to Buddhism and other religious and political ideas that came from the East Asian continental culture. This development falls into three main time periods:

Establishing and Recording the Myths: 6th – 8th centuries CE

• Recording the myths: Kojiki and Nihon Shoki
• Dainichi Nyorai, the “Sun Buddha” and Amaterasu the sun goddess.

Shinto-Buddhist combinations during the Medieval Period:

• Honji-suijaku theories during 10th – 16th centuries CE

Establishment of Shinto as a “state” religion:

• 17th -19th centuries: Tokugawa period regulations
• 19th – 20th centuries CE: modernization, colonization of Asia, defeat in World War II.