How do Shinto and Buddhism coexist in Japanese culture?

Shinto and Buddhism have a long history of coexistence and amalgamation in Japan, a practice known as Shinbutsu shūgō. This blending began shortly after Buddhism's introduction to Japan in the 6th century CE.123

Key aspects of their coexistence include:
* Shared Spaces: Shinto shrines were often built within Buddhist temple compounds, and temples were constructed near Shinto shrines.1
* Interpreting Deities: Kami, the deities of Shinto, came to be identified with Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Initially, kami were seen as protectors of Buddhism or as beings also experiencing suffering within the cycle of rebirth. Later, kami were interpreted as manifestations or avatars of buddhas and bodhisattvas.124
* Dual Practices: Many Japanese households maintain both Shinto god shelves (kamidana) and Buddhist altars (butsudan). They may observe Shinto rites for life events like marriage and Buddhist rites for funerals.15
* Artistic Influence: Both religions have influenced Japanese art, with Buddhist iconography shaping the representation of kami.6

While a government edict in 1868 attempted to separate the two religions, the pattern of plural religious affiliation and the blending of practices has persisted in Japanese religious life.154