Sect Shinto

Sect Shinto (教派神道, Kyōha Shintō; or 宗派神道, Shūha Shintō) refers to independently organized Shinto groups that were excluded from the Imperial Japanese government-sponsored State Shinto in 1882. In contrast to mainstream Shrine Shinto, which primarily emphasizes ritualistic practices, Sect Shinto often focuses on specific theological doctrines. Many of these sects are affiliated with the Association of Sectarian Shinto (教派神道連合会, Kyōha Shintō Rengōkai). Prior to World War II, there were 13 officially recognized denominations of Sect Shinto. These were commonly referred to as the "thirteen Shinto sects". The number of non-Shrine Shinto sects has grown since then. Its counterpart, Shrine Shinto, represents a collective tradition of various local shrines and customary beliefs throughout Japan. Those various shrines and beliefs were later unified under the authority of the Ise Grand Shrine during the Meiji period. Sect Shinto is rooted in kokugaku (lit. 'national study'), a school of thought that emphasized Japanese classical literature and Shinto philosophy. Although Tenrikyo has historically been classified as a form of Sect Shinto, it is commonly regarded as a distinct monotheistic religion.