Shinto sects and schools
divisions of the Japanese folk religion
Shinto (神道, shintō), the folk religion of Japan, developed a diversity of schools and sects, outbranching from the original Ko-Shintō (ancient Shintō) since Buddhism was introduced into Japan in the sixth century.
Early period schools and groups
The main Shinto schools with traditions traceable to early periods, according to authoritative published records, can be grouped by lineage and outside influence as follows:
Buddhist-influenced (仏家神道)
These are various forms of Shintō developed by Buddhist thinkers, combining Buddhist and Shintō elements (Shinbutsu shūgō).
Taishi-ryū Shintō (太子流神道)
Founded by Prince Shōtoku (574–622), unifying Shintō, Confucianism, and Buddhism (sankyō itchi).
Ryōbu Shintō (両部神道)
Derived from Shingon Buddhism. Relates the Inner Shrine of Ise with Dainichi of the Womb Realm (taizōkai) and the Outer Shrine with Dainichi of the Vajra realm (kongōkai).
Miwa-ryū Shintō (三輪流神道) – Developed at Byōdōji and Ōgorinji (Ōmiwadera), temples serving as jingū-ji of Ōmiwa Shrine.
Goryū Shintō (御流神道) – A sub-branch of Ryōbu Shintō distinguished by its five transmission lineages.
Unden Shintō (雲伝神道, also Katsuragi Shintō) – Founded by Jiun Onkō (1718–1804), a Shingon monk. Integrates esoteric Buddhism, Sanskrit philology, Zen, Confucianism, and native Shinto concepts.
Sannō Shintō (山王神道)
Tendai sect Shintō, based on the cult of the Mountain King (山王, Sannō) at Hiyoshi Taisha.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Shinto sects and schools” is divisions of the Japanese folk religion. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Shinto, sects and schools, not as a finished interpretation.
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Vocabulary and entity names are the principal evidence signals here, because they determine the precision of every later search. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 21, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q3952369. The Library of Congress control number is sh85121516. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1718 and 1804.
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