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Denominations


Like all faiths, Shinto also has various denominations, centered around various Kamisama or aspects of worship. I will list some of the most notable ones, but this isn't an exhaustive list.




Ise Shinkou (伊勢信仰)

Worship dedicated to the Japanese imperial family, and their ancestral Kamisama, Amaterasu Omikami.


Izumo Shinkou (出雲信仰)

Mostly widespread in the Izumo region, the Izumo Shinkou is centered around Ookuninushi no Kami and other Kamisama related to him. Since he embodies the land and country of Japan, Izumo worship is ancestral land and agricultural worship.


Inari Shinkou (稲荷信仰)

Arguably the most widespread and well known denomination. The Inari Shinkou is centered around Inari Ookami, an agriculture and food Kamisama.


Tenjin Shinkou (天神信仰)

The worship of Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真), who embodies Tenjin as the Kamisama of scholarship and learning.


Suwa Shinkou (諏訪信仰)

Another widespread faith, that's centered around the Suwa Shrine and lake of the Nagano Prefecture, worshipping the Kamisama related to the area (Takeminakata no Kami, Yasakatome no Kami, Suwa Daimyoujin and others).


Sannou Shinkou (山王信仰)

A syncretic denomination that worships Sannou Gongen, the embodiment of Mt. Hiei as the protector deity of the Enryakuji Shrine and Tendai Buddhism.

Note that most worshippers aren't strictly devoted one denomination, local deity worship or the worship of one Kamisama is way more common. There are also people who worship in multiple different denimonations, don't think of them as strict branches of worship.