Shinto sects and schools

Early period schools and groups

The main Shinto schools with traditions traceable to early periods, according to authoritative published records are:

Bukka Shintō

These were the various forms of Shintō developed by Buddhist thinkers, also known as Bukke Shintō. These doctrines combine Buddhist elements with Shintō elements (Shinbutsu shūgō).

Goryū Shintō

Goryū refers to the Buddhist Dharma lineage. This Shinto schools was part of Ryōbu Shintō.

Hakke Shintō

The Shirakawa Hakuō House, in charge of the post of superintendent of the Ministry of Deities (Jingi-kan) transmitted this school. Also called Shirakawa Shintō.

Hokke Shintō

These doctrines were influenced by the Nichiren sect of Buddhism which incorporated kami cults within its own system.

Inbe Shintō

This is the Inbe clan lineage and commonly held to have been created by Inbe Masamichi that was in charge of court rituals together with the Nakatomi clan.

Ise Shintō

Transmitted by priests of the Watarai clan at the Outer Shrine (Gekū) of the Grand Shrine of Ise (Ise Jingū). It is also called Watarai Shintō.

Jingidōke

A collective term for lineages which were mainly occupied with Shinto, these included the jingi clans (jingi shizoku) and clans connected to the Jingi-kan such as the Nakatomi and Inbe.

Jūhachi Shintō

Yoshida Kanetomo, taught his principles in his work Essentials of Prime Shinto (Yuiitsu Shintō myōbō yōshū).

Juka Shintō

Shinto explained by Japanese Confucianists. These teachings claim the unity of Shinto and Confucianism.

Kaden Shintō

The Shinto transmitted by hereditary Shinto priests, known as shinshokuke or shake. It is also called shake Shintō, shaden Shintō or densha Shintō.

Kikke Shintō

Transmitted by the Tachibana clan. Kikke Shinto became widely known during the mid-Edo Hōei era (1704–1710).

Koshintō

"Ancient Shintō". These were the various doctrines and myths of Shintō before the integration of Buddhism elements.

Miwa-ryū Shintō

A form of Ryōbu Shintō that developed primarily at Byōdōji and Ōgorinji (Ōmiwadera), temples serving as the "parish temples" (jingū-ji) of Ōmiwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture.

Mononobe Shintō

Based on the text Sendai kuji hongi taiseikyō.

Ōgimachi Shintō

Originated by Suika Shinto by Ōgimachi Kinmichi's (1653–1733) transmission to the sovereign and court retainers. In 1680 Kinmichi presented a Shinto oath to Yamazaki Ansai, taking up a full-scale study of Suika Shinto.

Reisō Shintō

Buddhist Shintō (Bukka Shintō) created in the Edo period by Chōon Dō kai (1628–1695) and further developed by Jōin (1683–1739).

Ritō Shinchi Shintō

Created by Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan (1583–1657). Razan was the only Confucian scholar officially employed by the Tokugawa government.

Ryōbu Shintō

These are the Shintō doctrines derived from Shingon Buddhism. These doctrines relate the Inner Shrine of Ise with Dainichi of the Womb Realm (taizōkai) and the Outer Shrine with Dainichi of the Vajra realm (kongōkai).

Sannō Shintō

Tendai sect Shintō, based on the cult of the Mountain King (Sannō) at the Hiyoshi Taisha.

Shugendō

Shugendō and its practitioners, shugen, teaches the attainment of supranormal, magico-religious power through ascetic activities in the mountains. It was submissive to Buddhism for some time, later dividing into sects with more or less Buddhist or Koshintō influence.

Suika Shintō

Created by Yamazaki Ansai, a Confucian-Shintoist of the early Edo period.

Taishi-ryū Shintō

Founded by Prince Shōtoku (Shōtoku Taishi, 574–622) and unifying Shintō, Confucianism, and Buddhism (sankyō itchi).

Tsuchimikado Shintō

Created by the head court diviner Tsuchimikado Yasutomi. Yasutomi integrated the astrological and calendrical theories transmitted by the Onmyōdō specialists of the Abe clan.

Tsushima Shintō

Originated at Tsushima Island in the Sea of Japan.

Uden Shintō

Created by Kamo no Norikiyo (a.k.a. Umetsuji no Norikiyo, 1798–1862). Norikiyo developed his teachings on the basis of the Shinto transmissions at the shrine of Kamo wake Ikazuchi Jinja.

Unden Shintō

Founded by Shingon monk Jiun Onkō (1718–1804). It is also known as Katsuragi Shintō because Jiun lived on Mt. Katsuragi. It integrates esoteric Buddhism, siddham (Sanskrit philology), and Zen, as well as Confucianism and Shinto.

Yoshida Shintō

Founded by Yoshida Kanetomo (1435–1511), who called his tradition yuiitsu shintō ("only-one Shintō"). His adherents and Yoshida Shrine, until the end of the Edo period, retained the right to award ranks to all shrines and priests except for a few associated with the Imperial family.

Yoshikawa Shintō

This is a lineage transmitted by Shinto scholar Yoshikawa Koretari (1616–1694).

Shintō-inspired religions

Two main types of Shinto-inspired religion have emerged in modern times: Sect Shinto (kyōha Shintō) and "Shinto-derived new religions" (Shintōkei shinshūkyō). A concise list of these new religions and their founders, according to authoritative sources (see References), is given below:

Sect Shinto

Fusōkyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shintō. It was organized by Shishino Nakaba (1844–84) based on the mountain cult to Mount Fuji (Fuji shinkō) founded by Hasegawa Kakugyō (1541?–1646?).

Izumo Ōyashirokyō

Founded by Senge Takatomi (1845–1918) and one of the original thirteen pre-war sects of Shinto.

Jikkōkyō

One of the thirteen sects of pre-war Shinto. Based on Fujidō, founded by Hasegawa Kakugyō (born in Nagasaki, 1541–1646). A mountain cult focused on Mount Fuji (Fuji shinkō).

Konkōkyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto. Founded by Konkō Daijin (1814–83) (born Akazawa Bunji).

Kurozumikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto, founded by Kurozumi Munetada (1780–1850).

Kyōha Shintō Rengōkai

A prewar federation of Shinto sects following the Shintō Dōshikai ("Society of Shinto Colleagues"), organized in 1895.

Misogikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto. Founded by Inoue Masakane (1790–1849).

Ontakekyō

One of the thirteen sects of Shinto in the prewar period centered on the faith in Mount Ontake (ontake shinkō).

Shinrikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto founded by Sano Tsunehiko (1834–1906).

Shinshūkyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto founded by Yoshimura Masamochi (1839–1915).

Shintō Shūseiha

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto founded by Nitta Kuniteru (1829–1902).

Shintō Taikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto known previously as Shintō Honkyoku (its formal name was simply "Shintō").

Shintō Taiseikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shintō founded by Hirayama Seisai (1815–1890).

Tenrikyō

One of the thirteen sects of prewar Shinto. Founded by Nakayama Miki (1798–1887) after having a sudden experience of spirit possession (kamigakari) in the tenth lunar month of 1863.

Shintō-derived new religions

Ananaikyō

An Ōmoto-lineage religion founded by Nakano Yonosuke (1887–1974).

Art of Ninzuwu

A spiritual practice said to have originated during the Jomon period.

Chikakusan Minshukyō Kyōdan

Based on the mountain-worship cult of Mount Ontake in the Kiso region founded by Nehashi Umetarō (1868–1922) as the Chikaku Kōsha (Chikaku Religious Association).

Chūshinkai

A movement focused on divination and onomancy, founded by Kumazaki Ken'ō (1881–1961).

Daihizenkyō

Founded by Orimo Nami (1893–1966).

Ennōkyō

Founded by Fukada Chiyoko (1887–1925).

Hachidai Ryūō Daishizen Aishinkyōdan

Founded by Ishikawa Sen (1886–1961), who declared to be possessed (kamigakari) by a spirit.

Hachidai Ryūōjin Hakkō Seidan

Founded by Demura Ryūsei (1926– ).

Hachirakukai Kyōdan

Founded by Ogawa Kōichirō (1919–80).

Hi no Oshie

Teaching of the Sun. Founded by Sakuma Nikkō (1884–1954) (Nikkō means "sun-light").

Hikari Kyōkai

Derived from Ōmoto. Founded by painter Okamoto Tenmei (1897–1963).

Hizuki no Miya

Founded by Fujimoto Toshinari (1930–1989). The founding of the religion is dated from January 11, 1956, when Fujimoto received a revelation from the kami Amaterasu ōmikami.

Honbushin

A group from Tenrikyō lineage. Founded by Ōnishi Tama (1916–1969), the group originated in 1961 within Honmichi as the Tenri Mirokukai (Tenri Miroku Association) and later seceded.

Honmichi

Founded by Ōnishi Aijirō (1881–1958) a teacher in Tenrikyō.

Ijun

Founded by Takayasu Ryūsen (1934–) as an Okinawan religion.

Ishinkyō

Founded by Hashiguchi Reizui (1879–1963).

Izumo Shin’yū Kyōkai

Founded in 1968 by Hosoya Seiko (1927–) after she had practiced austerities in Izumo, Nara and Eiheiji.

Izumokyō

This is a religion reminiscent of sectarian Shinto (Kyōha Shintō). It was started by Kitajima Naganori (1834–93).

Jieidō

Lineage of Sekai Kyūseikyō, founded by Katsunuma Hisako (1927–).

Jingūkyō

With characteristics of sect Shinto (kyōha Shintō) and founded by Urata Nagatami and others.

Kakushin Shūkyō Nipponkyō

Originated in 1940, when the "Father-deity Kotoshironushi no ōkami" descended upon Chitose Makami (1879–1986).

Kannagarakyō

Founded by Mizuno Fusa (1883–1970).

Kikueikai Kyōdan

Founded in 1928 by the sculptor of Buddhist images Hayashi Shikō (1901–88). Shikō claimed that a golden sphere with the form of a "nine-star divination pattern" came floating towards him, after which he began to engage in spiritual healing.

Kogi Shintō

Founded by the Shinto priest Kuwabara Yachio (1910–) after World War II.

Koshintō Senpōkyō

Founded by Masai Yoshimitsu (1907–1970), and known for its claim to be related to the tradition of "ancient Shinto" (Koshintō).

Kōso Kōtai Jingū Amatsukyō

Founded by Takeuchi Kiyomaro (also Ōmaro) (1874–1965) based on an ancient text known as the "Takeuchi document’" (Takeuchi monjo).

Kuzuryū Taisha

Founded by Ōnishi Masajirō (1913–88) after receiving a dream oracle from the deity Benzaiten (Sanskrit Sarasvati) during a dream in 1954.

Kyūseishukyō

Resulting from the merging of four branches of Sekai Kyūseikyō, it began its activities in 1955 after the death of the founder of Sekai Kyūseikyō, Okada Mōkichi (1882–1955).

Makoto no Michi

Founded by Ogiwara Makoto (1910–81) who experienced paranormal powers since before World War II.

Makoto no Michikyō

Founded by Matsumoto Jōtarō (September 1881–1944).

Maruyamakyō

Founded by Itō Rokurobei (1829–94).

Misogikyō Shinpa

Founded by Sakata Yasuhiro (1962–).

Mitamakyō

Founded by Nagata Fuku (1891–1975).

Miyaji Shinsendō

Founded by Miyaji Suii (known as Kakiwa, 1852–1904) and with strong Taoist influence.

Nihon Jingū Honchō

Founded by Nakajima Shūkō (1902–88) who was deeply interested in the study of the traditional calendar (rekigaku) and the theory of five phases of matter (gogyō).

Nihon Seidō Kyōdan

Founded by Iwasaki Shōō (1934–) who had a mystical experience while in a coma.

Nikkōkyō

Founded by Teraguchi Kōjirō (1881–1960).

Ōkanmichi

Founded by Yamada Baijirō (1875–1941), a Tenrikyō teacher.

Ōmiwakyō (Sako)

Founded by Sako Kan (1878–1937).

Ōmiwakyō　(Kojima)

Founded by Kojima Moriyoshi in 1872.

Ōmoto

Founded by Deguchi Nao (1836–1918) and Deguchi Onisaburō (1871–1948) after a "spirit dream" at the lunar New Year in 1892.

Ōmoto Hikari no Michi

Founded by Hōkan Meikyō (1923–) based on Ōmoto and Sekai Kyūseikyō.

Ōyamanezu no Mikoto Shinji Kyōkai

Founded by Inai Sadao (1906–88).

Perfect Liberty Kyōdan (PL Kyōdan)

Known as Church of Perfect Liberty frequently abbreviated as merely "PL", founded by Miki Tokuharu (1871–1938), a Zen monk.

Reiha no Hikari Kyōkai

Founded by Hase Yoshio (1915–84).

Renmonkyō

Founded by Shimamura Mitsu (1831–1904) who was saved from serious illness by Yanagita Ichibei, who had studied the "marvelous law of things" (myōhō no ji).

Renshindō Kyōdan

Founded by Tanaka Jigohei (1886–1973).

Samuhara Jinja

Started in 1935 when Tanaka Tomisaburō (1868–1967) rebuilt a dilapidated shrine in Okayama.

Seichō no Ie

Connected to Ōmoto and founded by Taniguchi Masaharu (1893–1985).

Seikōkyō

Founded by Fujita Nobuhiko (1889–1977).

Seimeikyō

Derived from Sekai Kyūseikyō and created in 1955 by Kihara Yoshihiko.

Seishin Myōjōkai

Founded by Fujita Motonari (1903–85).

Sekai Kyūseikyō

Church of World Messianity from the Ōmoto lineage. It was founded by Okada Mokichi.

Sekai Mahikari Bunmei Kyōdan

Derivation from Ōmoto and Sekai Kyūseikyō, founded by Okada Kōtama (1901–1974, born Yoshikazu).

Sekai Shindōkyō

Founded by Aida Hide (1898–1973).

Shidaidō

Founded by Nagahashi Yasuhiko (1895–1981) in 1931.

Shin Nihon Shūkyō Dantai Rengōkai

Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan, founded by and for new Japanese religious movements. Established in 1951 with a membership of twenty-four groups.

Shindō Tenkōkyo

Founded by Tomokiyo Yoshizane (1888–1952).

Shinji Shūmeikai

Founded by Koyama Mihoko (1910–).

Shinmei Aishinkai

Founded by Komatsu Shin'yō (1928– ).

Shinreikai Kyōdan

Founded by Ishii Reizan (born Iwayoshi, 1884–58) who had a revelation in 1932.

Shinreikyō

Founded by Ōtsuka Kan'ichi (1891–72).

Shinri Jikkō no Oshie

Founded by Honjō Chiyoko (1902–1957).

Shinsei Tengan Manaita no Kai

Founded by Kurata Chikyū (1906–91).

Shintō Shinkyō

Founded by Unigame Ito (1876–1976).

Shintō Shinshinkyō

Founded by Adachi Taijūrō (1841–1895) who received a divine revelation after nine years of his own unique form of practice.

Shizensha

Founded by Hashimoto Satomi (1899–1984).

Shōroku Shintō Yamatoyama

Founded by Tazawa Seishirō (1884–1966) after dedicating a shrine to a "mountain kami" (yama no kami) in 1919, witnessing extraordinary astronomical phenomena, and hearing divine voices.

Shūkyō Hōjin Byakkō Shinkōkai

Founded by Goi Masahisa (1916–1980) emphasizes two characteristic Ōmoto doctrines, the notion that all religions emanate from the same root (bankyō dōkon), and the principle of world peace.

Shūkyō Hōjin Shikō Gakuen

Founded by Kawakami Seizan (1908–51).

Shūyōdan Hōseikai

Founded by Idei Seitarō (1899–1983).

Soshindō

Started focused on Matsushita Matsuzō (1873–1947), a spirit medium (reinōsha) active from the Taisho era (1912–26) to the World War II period.

Soshindō Kyōdan

Founded by Yoshioka Tajūrō (1905–87).

Subikari Kōha Sekai Shindan

Founded by the spiritualist manga artist Kuroda Minoru (1928– ).

Sukui no Hikari Kyōdan

A new religion deriving from Sekai Kyūseikyō, one several groups in opposition to that religion's policy of centralization (ichigenka) implemented in the mid-1960s.

Sūkyō Mahikari

Derived from the lineages of Ōmoto and Sekai Kyūseikyō, founded by Kōtama Okada (Sukuinushisama) (1901–74) on August 28, 1959 and established as a registered religious organisation on 1978 by Mr Okada's daughter Sachiko Keishu Okada (Oshienushisama), (1929– ).

Sumerakyō

Founded by Onikura Taruhiko after having experienced possession (kamigakari) by a deity around 1919.

Taireidō

Founded by Tanaka Morihei (1884–1928) who was said to have acquired a kind of supranormal power (reishiryoku) after a four-month ascetic seclusion in the mountains.

Taiwa Kyōdan

Emerged from Yamatokyō, founded by Hozumi Kenkō (1913–76) and his wife Hisako (1908–2003).

Tamamitsu Jinja

Founded by the spirit medium Motoyama Kinue (1909–74).

Ten'onkyo

Founded by Hachiro Fukuji (1899–1962) who experienced the ability to converse with a spirit, and thereafter received visitations from various deities.

Tenchikyō

Founded by Uozumi Masanobu (1852–1928).

Tengenkyō

Founded by Naniwa Hisakazu (1902–84).

Tenjōkyō

Founded by Ishiguro Jō (1908– ).

Tenjōkyō Hon'in

Founded by Kuramoto Ito (1895–1985).

Tenkōkyō

Founded by Fujita Shinshō (?–1966) who received at age nineteen a revelation from a deity he called Tenchikane no kami ("heaven-earth gold deity").

Tenrikyō

Founded by Nakayama Miki, who received revelations from a deity she called Tenri-O-no-Mikoto.

Tensei Shinbikai

Founded by Iwanaga Kayoko (1934–).

Tensenku Monkyō (Tendan)

Known locally as Tinsinkun Munchu (Tinkha), emerged from ancient Shintō (Koshintō) in the southern Ryukyu islands.

Tensha Tsuchimikado Shintō Honchō

Inspired in Tsuchimikado Shintō (Tensha Shintō).

Tenshin Seikyō

Founded by Shimada Seiichi (1896–1985).

Tenshindō Kyōdan

Founded by Tamura Reishō (1890–1968) who received the revelation of Kami on April 3, 1927. [1] While working in the office of the Governor-General of Korea, Reishō studied the Daoistic magical arts transmitted in Korea since ancient times.

Tenshinkyō Shin'yūden Kyōkai

Founded by Kamiide Fusae (1922–1980) who had a sudden experience of spirit possession (kamigakari) in 1958.

Tenshō Kōtai Jingūkyō

Founded by Kitamura Sayo (1900–1967).

Tenshōkyō

Founded by Senba Hideo (1925–) and his wife Senba Kimiko.

Tenshūkyō

Founded by Unagami Haruho (1896–1965).

Tokumitsukyō

Founded by Kanada Tokumitsu (1863–1919).

Worldmate (formerly Cosmomate)

Founded by Fukami Seizan (aka Fukami Tōshū, born Handa Haruhisa) (1951–).

Yamakage Shintō

Emerged from "ancient Shinto" (Koshintō) tradition, founded by the Yamakage family.

Yamatokyō

Founded by Hozumi Kenkō (1913–76), a practitioner of Shugendō at Dewa Sanzan.

Zenrinkyō

Founded by Rikihisa Tatsusai (1906–77).

Other sects and schools

There may be some Shinto schools and sects, that even having a structure and followers, are not included in authoritative publications. This may be because of their small size and influence, fairly unknown presence or practices, or because those schools are new branches from older schools and still considered within their structure.