Although myth indicates that Japan was founded in 660 BCE by Emperor Jimmu, the first clear records concerning Japan are provided by the Chinese almost one thousand years later, in the third century CE. Since its beginnings, Japan has...

Throughout Japanese history, the Japanese have believed in the divine ancestry of the imperial family as one of Japan’s unique virtues. Explore the ancient legend about the divinity of the imperial family beginning with the sun goddess...

Many of the values and basic assumptions the Japanese make about life have their origins in Buddhism and Shintoism. The primacy of the group or the collective good and the value placed on maintaining harmony are particularly strong and...

Explore the influence of religion on Japan over the centuries. Learn about Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, which is still practiced but serves mainly as a source of traditional customs and festivals. It has slightly more followers...

Angels, aliens, and ghosts—oh my! In this episode of Crash Course Religions, we figure out how the paranormal and supernatural shows up in our religions, and outside of them. If you or someone you know identifies as “spiritual but not...

Energy from the sun gives heat, offers a bright reprieve from the darkness of night, and serves as the base for our entire food chain. It is no wonder it plays a central role in nearly all world mythologies.

What did Japan want in WW2? | Japanese Empire, Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Hirohito

Shinto is a religion as Japanese as the cherry blossom and the mech suit. Today, we're gonna take a dive into this ancient and unique faith to redefine what we even call a religion.

What is Shinto? This is Episode 1 of a 5-part series introducing what some call the indigenous Japanese religion. What is it all about? What are kami? And how do people practice it?

In this episode we examine the topic: When Shinto Became a “Religion"

In this video we ask: Can Shinto Become a Global Religion?

Most people know that Pokémon is a Japanese video game, but did you know that many Pokémon designs were influenced by Japanese religion, mythology, and folklore? If you look closely, you can see Shintoism and Buddhism throughout the...

In this episode we examine the topic: Is Miyazaki Inspired By Shinto?

The world’s most populous area with 35 million people and one of the most expensive to live in - Tokyo. Explore and find out why Tokyo is worth a visit. The city is teeming with history, culture and sites.<br/>

Is Mario religious? If so, what is his religion? In this video, we explore the State Religion of the Mushroom Kingdom.

In this episode we examine the topic: Buddhism and Shinto Explained: A Complicated History

Video Atlas of Asia: This clip takes a look at some of Japan's unique cultural elements.