KUROZUMI-KYO

prototype of the contemporary new religions of Japan, named for its founder, Kurozumi Munetada (17801850), a Shinto priest of the area that is now Okayama prefecture. The believers venerate the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu as the supreme god and creator of the universe and consider the other traditional 8,000,000 Shinto kami (gods, or sacred powers) to be her manifestations. Devotional activities include daily morning worship of the sun, with breathing exercises, described as swallowing the sun, intended to bring about spiritual union with the sun and consequent physical well-being. The cult was officially recognized as a Shinto sect in 1846 and reorganized under its present name in 1876. It is still recognized as a denomination of Sect Shinto and in the late 20th century claimed over 200,000 followers.