Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Shintō deity
Shintō deity, wood sculpture, Japan, Heian period, 12th century; in the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
shinzō
religious icon, Japan
shinzō, in the Shintō religion of Japan, a representation either in painting or sculpture of a kami (god or sacred power). The Shintō religion did not have a tradition of iconic representation, but under the influence of Buddhism a few anthropomorphic images began to be created in the Heian period (794–1185). Notable examples are the late 9th-century wooden statues in the Matsunoo Jinja at Kyōto. Paintings of Shintō kami became more common in the Kamakura period (1192–1333) with the development of the syncretic Shintō-Buddhist school of Ryōbu Shintō.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Virginia Gorlinski.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.