I was just in a conversation in the comments of another post here, with a Japanese kid about Shintoism.

I'm not Japanese, sure yeah, I love me some Japanese stuff, food, media, etc. I've learned a lot of history, and culture, and I've done some deep dives into Shintoism in an attempt to find some deep esoteric thing that might be uniquely special/inspiring/whatever. However, I've never been to Japan, and I can barely hanashimasu or wakarimasu the language. Overall it actually has many similarities to magical traditions and fairytales and myths from all over the world in that more earthy, faerie, summoning the elementals kind of way, it definitely has its own aesthetic, but in terms of "magical technology."

Purification rituals? We got 'em.

Protection Charms? We got 'em.

Fortune telling? You bet!

Bare with me now, I am going to oversimplify, partially because of my admittedly limited understanding, being a westerner, and partially for the sake of comedy (I think comedic oversimplification is funny).

Am I a Shintoist? No. I am not Japanese, and as far as I can tell, Shintoism is a purely Japanese thing, it's politically tied to their national identity. That kid said I could apply to be a Shinto priest, but I don't believe him. Well, I could probably apply, but I doubt I'd ever be admitted, not only because I'm a non-native non-Japanese, but because I basically am only here to learn whatever secret magic spells I can get my hands on or learn to craft some bitchin' magic charms or weapons or something.

However...

Do I occasionally go to a temple or scenic location on a secularized religious Holiday and kinda act like I'm doin' a holy observance? Yes.

When I feel like I need to have my fortune told do I do it? Sure, it's still fun sometimes.

When I need to make some kind of magic charm, is it basically made of scribblings on paper and maybe some cloth and bits of wood, and, like, fuckin' twine? Yes.

Do I do purification rituals? Yeah, when I feel it needs done.

Do I feel like I live in a world where, yeah, there are huge cosmic gods, sure, but life permeates everything and, like, even that big rock or that big tree over there, or even like a really old building might be a "god"? I mean.... don't we all kinda feel that way on a primal level?

Are Parades cool? Yes.

Is the color red cool? Yes.

Are swords cool? Fucking hell yeah they are.

Am I a Shintoist. No.