Shinto

===Cosmogony===
{{Main|Amenominakanushi|Japanese creation myth}}
[[File:Kobayashi Izanami and Izanagi.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Izanami]]-no-Mikoto and [[Izanagi]]-no-Mikoto, by Kobayashi Eitaku, late 19th century]]

Although the narratives differ in detail,{{sfn|Hardacre|2017|pp=48–49}} the origin of the {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} and of Japan itself are recounted in two 8th-century texts, {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Kojiki]]}} and {{Lang|ja-latn|Nihon Shoki}}.{{sfnm|1a1=Offner|1y=1979|1p=195|2a1=Kitagawa|2y=1987|2p=142|3a1=Littleton|3y=2002|3p=23|4a1=Earhart|4y=2004|4p=32|5a1=Cali|5a2=Dougill|5y=2013|5p=18}} Drawing heavily on Chinese influence,{{sfnm|1a1=Offner|1y=1979|1p=195|2a1=Kitagawa|2y=1987|2p=142|3a1=Littleton|3y=2002|3p=37|4a1=Earhart|4y=2004|4p=33}} these texts were commissioned by ruling elites to legitimize and consolidate their rule.{{sfnm|1a1=Earhart|1y=2004|1pp=33–34|2a1=Cali|2a2=Dougill|2y=2013|2pp=18–19}} Although never of great importance to Japanese religious life,{{sfn|Earhart|2004|p=33}} in the early 20th century the government proclaimed that their accounts were factual.{{sfn|Cali|Dougill|2013|p=19}}

The {{Lang|ja-latn|Kojiki}} recounts that the universe started with {{lang|ja-Latn|ame-tsuchi}}, the separation of light and pure elements ({{lang|ja-Latn|ame}}, "heaven") from heavy elements ({{lang|ja-Latn|tsuchi}}, "earth").{{sfnm|1a1=Bocking|1y=1997|1p=5|2a1=Picken|2y=2011|2p=38|3a1=Cali|3a2=Dougill|3y=2013|3p=19}} Three {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} then appeared: [[Amenominakanushi]], [[Takamimusubi|Takamimusuhi no Mikoto]], and [[Kamimusubi|Kamimusuhi no Mikoto]]. Other {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} followed, including a brother and sister, [[Izanagi]] and [[Izanami]].{{sfnm|1a1=Cali|1a2=Dougill|1y=2013|1p=19|2a1=Hardacre|2y=2017|2p=48}} The {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} instructed Izanagi and Izanami to create land on earth. To this end, the siblings stirred the briny sea with a jewelled spear, from which [[Onogoro Island]] was formed.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitagawa|1y=1987|1p=143|2a1=Cali|2a2=Dougill|2y=2013|2pp=19–20|3a1=Hardacre|3y=2017|3p=49}} Izanagi and Izanami then descended to Earth, where the latter gave birth to further {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}. One of these was a fire {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}, whose birth killed Izanami.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitagawa|1y=1987|1p=143|2a1=Cali|2a2=Dougill|2y=2013|2p=20|3a1=Hardacre|3y=2017|3p=50}} Izanagi descended to {{lang|ja-Latn|[[yomi]]}} to retrieve his sister, but there he saw her body putrefying. Embarrassed to be seen in this state, she chased him out of {{lang|ja-Latn|yomi}}, and he closed its entrance with a boulder.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitagawa|1y=1987|1p=143|2a1=Bocking|2y=1997|2p=67|3a1=Cali|3a2=Dougill|3y=2013|3p=20|4a1=Hardacre|4y=2017|4p=50}}

Izanagi bathed in the sea to rid himself from the pollution brought about by witnessing Izanami's putrefaction. Through this act, further {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} emerged from his body: [[Amaterasu]] (the sun {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}) was born from his left eye, [[Tsukuyomi]] (the moon {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}) from his right eye, and [[Susanoo]] (the storm {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}) from his nose.{{sfnm|1a1=Offner|1y=1979|1p=196|2a1=Kitagawa|2y=1987|2p=143|3a1=Bocking|3y=1997|3p=67|4a1=Cali|4a2=Dougill|4y=2013|4p=20|5a1=Hardacre|5y=2017|5p=53}} Susanoo behaved in a destructive manner, to escape him Amaterasu hid herself within a cave, plunging the earth into darkness. The other {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}} eventually succeeded in coaxing her out.{{sfnm|1a1=Offner|1y=1979|1pp=196–197|2a1=Kitagawa|2y=1987|2p=144|3a1=Bocking|3y=1997|3p=3|4a1=Cali|4a2=Dougill|4y=2013|4p=21|5a1=Hardacre|5y=2017|5pp=53-54}} Susanoo was then banished to earth, where he married and had children.{{sfnm|1a1=Cali|1a2=Dougill|1y=2013|1p=22|2a1=Hardacre|2y=2017|2p=54}} According to the {{Lang|ja-latn|Kojiki}}, Amaterasu then sent her grandson, [[Ninigi]], to rule Japan, giving him curved beads, a mirror, and a sword: the symbols of Japanese imperial authority.{{sfnm|1a1=Kitagawa|1y=1987|1p=144|2a1=Hardacre|2y=2017|2p=57}} Amaterasu remains probably Japan's most venerated {{lang|ja-Latn|kami}}.{{sfn|Littleton|2002|p=98}}