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.