Part 1: What I Seek

I am seeking to discover the roots and beginning beliefs of the religion of Shinto. I believe that when learning about a religion, it is sometimes best to look at the beginnings because it can give an idea of the initial, intended essence of the religion. This can possibly lead us to what the ‘true’ message or purpose of what the religion was to provide. Shinto is considered one of the oldest religions, utilizing factors such as animism and shamanism, which is usually associated with more primitive cultures, and I am most looking for how this religion was first borne and how it developed in the early years in order to see how it began. This will also help when studying future stages of Shinto religious development, as well as studying modern practices and rituals.