C. Scott Littleton is Professor of Anthropology at Occidental College, Los Angeles, California. In this rounded and well-organized overview of Shinto, he touches upon its history, belief system, and practices. This religion is indigenous to Japan and has survived there for 2000 years. In 1868, it was established as a state religion that lasted until 1945. At present, most Japanese people would consider themselves to be both Shintoists and Buddhists. The former is seen as a life religion with its emphasis upon the abundance of nature, human and animal fertility, and the here and now. Buddhism is an afterlife religion in Japan with citizens there preferring to be cremated with Buddhist rites.

The reverence shown by the Japanese toward nature stems from Shinto's most ancient and fundamental belief that spirit-beings govern the world. They are called kami. These supernatural beings oversee all aspects of nature and human life from the glorious Mount Fuji to the souls of deceased children. Many Shinto rituals used in local shrines or in public ceremonies center around the appeasement of these spirits which are both "rough" and "gentle."

In chapters on the ethical principles, sacred space, sacred time, death and afterlife, society and religion, Littleton discusses the major elements of Shintoism and its attention to cleanliness and group solidarity. The many color photographs in this beautifully designed book add luster to our appreciation of this tradition.