After the Meiji restoration, which turned japan into a proper real Empire, Meiji approved the return of Shinto shrines and made it fully legal. Sakoku was abolished and revamped shit into Western. E.g. Samurai, nobles were turned into normal citizens, proto parliament and even katana were banned. Samurai then rebelled with the express purpose of dying honorably. Meiji gave firearms and western tactics to his army while Samurai fought old school. Saddest war ever. Represented the end of an Era. Batoutai is a song about that (i sing along in my car). See Satsuma rebellion.
Many converted to New Shinto (nationalism was Western too) which had lots and lots of Buddhist influence, but local Kami returned. Basically involves going to a Temple and pray, buy amulets or rituals. Some times of the year, festivals, parties and dances. Dressing old school is common there.
Kami are like Saints, kinda. Usually normal people that through a proper holy life were given by the Supreme God some simple powers and a place in Heaven, sometimes called parallel world. Those simple powers allowed them to help in simple specific tasks. A Village Kami could for example make crops grow a little better in his town, *as long as he is remembered and honored*. Festivals and prayer gave them power to help.
So they are not like Western gods **at all**. Their power is not theirs. Saints? spirits? No proper translation. Are they *really* polytheist, then?
