Here are some books that you may find useful during your studies. Search the Bennies catalogue Oliver for more, or browse the Non-fiction collection NFS.
Simple Guide to Shinto by 
Spirit of the East by 
Japan’s Indigenous and Biggest Religion “Shinto”. Shinto is an ethnical religious framework in Japan and a polytheistic religion that is unique to Japan.
Explore the rituals and ceremonies of Japan's Shinto and discover it's richly complex and subtle traditions. Students will examine the history and culture of Shinto through interviews, archival and on-location footage. Similar to other ancient traditions, Shinto is rooted in mythology and folk rituals that are passed through the generations, yet it is unique in having no congressional worship, founder or organising doctrine. Viewers will learn about the social codes, daily life and other distinguishing features of Shinto or, "the way of the Kami" - which, loosely translated, means "god" or "the sacred". See how over the centuries these traditions have served to unify Japan nationally and, at different times, mobilised the country politically.
Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century.
Religion in Japan is a wonderful mish-mash of ideas from Shintoism and Buddhism. Unlike in the West, religion in Japan is rarely preached, nor is it a doctrine. Instead it is a moral code, a way of living, almost indistinguishable from Japanese social and cultural values.