Shinto ("Way of the Gods") is the indigenous faith for the people's of Japan, and it does not have a founder or sacred scriptures such as the bible or sutras. Evangelism is not common either because Shinto is deeply rooted in the people's daily life and folklore.  "Shinto gods" are named Kami.  These gods take the form of sacred spirits, which affect daily life, such as wind, rain, mountains, trees, rivers, and such conceptions and spiritual manifestations as fertility.  For people living close to nature, owls and other wildlife take the form of Kami, too, along with the elements of their natural surroundings.
In my opinion and in the opinions of other historians The Ainu, The First Nations People of Japan, had a fundamental influence on the Shinto Faith, and there are similarities among the belief systems of other First Nations People around the globe, such as believing in sacred spirits which take a form that potentially impacts daily life.  Being born in Canada and raised in a Cree First Nations Society, I feel connected to the Ainu people and the Japanese spiritually.  Many of my friends from First Nations Communities (such as the Navajo) have a similar feeling/experience as I do.  The photos incorporated into this blog are not staged; they are elements of sacred ceremonies. Moreover, most of the people depicted are acquaintances, and I would feel comfortable sharing a meal or tea at their home or mine.
Monotheistic religions believe in absolutes, which is a sharp contrast to the Shinto faith.  There is no absolute right and wrong, and nobody is flawless.  In Shinto, humans are thought to be fundamentally good, and evil is believed to be caused by evil spirits. Consequently, the purpose of most Shinto rituals is to keep away evil spirits by purifications, prayers, and offerings.  
Shinto shrines are the places visitors should respect as they are places of worship and the homes of Kami. 99% of shrines celebrate annual festivals in order to display the Kami to the outside world. Shinto priests perform rituals, and most live on the shrine grounds. Both men and women are priests, and they are allowed to marry and have children. Priests are aided by younger women, Shinto Maidens or Miko, during rituals and shrine tasks. Miko wear white kimonos, must be unmarried and are often the priests' daughters.
While on a Japan Photography Tour Japan with renowned awarded master photographer Blain Harasymiw, you will experience and photograph or video the most important features of the shrines daily rituals, such as the sacred ceremonies and Kagura Dance performances from the most mind-blowing angles. The shrine complex of buildings is spiritually and artfully blended into the natural surroundings, and Blain will point out each carved spiritual entity and their name such as the lacquered and decorated Reiju Holy Spiritual animals as well as scholarly and philosophical mystical beings carved into stones, walls, and other edifices around the shrine’s grounds. Blain will point out and explain each one to you to create an everlasting photography adventure of a lifetime.