In The Essence of Shinto, revered Shinto master Motohisa Yamakage explains the
core values of Shinto and explores both basic tenets and its more esoteric
points in terms readily accessible to the modern Western reader. He shows how
the long history of Shintoism is deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese
spirituality and mythology--indeed, it is regarded as Japan's very spiritual
roots--and discusses its role in modern Japan and the world. He also carefully
analyzes the relationship of the spirit and the soul, which will provide
informed and invaluable insight into how spirituality affects our daily
existence. Through the author's emphasis on the universality of Shinto and