This page is a detailed summary of all Shinto-related major historical events. This does not cover events in the Kojiki/Nihon Shoki.
5000 BC - Early Jomon Period
While Jomon adjacent cultures existed prior, the Jomon traditions are the earliest substrata of Shinto's makeup. By the same token
used in the West for religions like Judaism, Vedic/Sanatana Dharma, and Jains, this could be an argument for Shinto having similar
"oldest still-practiced" claims, erspecially since Judaism and others have too significantly changed.
3000 BC - Magatama begin in the architectural records.
Magatama are curved, comma-shaped jewelry with a hole punched in one end. They still hold meaning in modern Shinto practices. Some
contend (e.g. in "Nihon Daihyakka Zensho") that the dating is closer to 1000 BC but provide no further substantiation on this argument.
600-300 BC - Yayoi People arrive in the Nihonic Archipelago
The identity of the Yayoi aren't known, but theories of their origins includ Southern Korea, the modern day Jiangsu/Zhejiang provinces of China
(but not a Han speaking culture), Baiyue people of modern Yunnan, and indigenous people from Vietnam or Hainan.
Similarly, we know little in absolutes of their language, only that it influenced Old Japanese extensively.
However, their greatest contributions to Shinto are in the gods they brought with them, which in
time would become part of the modern family of kami. Notably, many Kojiki and Nihon Shoki
kami are believed to be of Yayoi origin. The Yayoi also influeced modern Shinto iconography and architecture.
97 BC - First reliably dated Emperor, Sujin begins his reign.
Prior emperors are doubted for a variety of reasons, namely unreliable date ranges, lack of artifacts etc.
Suijin has a tomb that's dedicated to him, and other bits lead most secular historians to agree he may
have existed. Prior Emperors are regarded to be, much like Xia Dynasty of China a potential basis on legendary kings
or local chieftains -- this is of course the secular view.
57AD - ~300AD - Early Chinese-Japanese contact records early Japanese and Shinto customs
Early Chinese contact occurred in the Late Han and Warring States periods, as Emperors of China sent tribute to Japan.
3rd century texts indicate that the clapping during prayers, eating off wood trays and eating raw fish, all recognizable aspects
of traditional Japan in the modern age. Himiko is also mentioned during this era.
4BC - Ise Jingu Founded
The Ise Jingu claims its founding in 4BC -- there is some loss of precision due to a Gregorian calendar being in use however.
552AD - Buddhism arrives in the Asuka Period
The Buddhist invasion of Japan forever altered history. It is traditionally believed to have spread from the Nara Prefecture. One of the earliest clans
who advocated Buddhism was the Soga clan, who came into conflict with the Mononobe clan.
587 AD - The Mononobe clan is defeated, allowing the spread of Buddhism
The Mononobe clan fought a 35 year war which ended at the Battle of Mount Shigi. The Mononobe clan name was
rendered extinct, and Buddhism spread into Japan.
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