Kurozumikyà  (é»Âä½ÂæÂÂ, ) is a Shinto-based Japanese new religion founded in Okayama during the 19th century. In 1814, the religion's founder, Munetada Kurozumi (), claimed to have a divine union with Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and chief kami in the Shinto pantheon. The religion is characterized by its daily worship of the sun at sunrise, called nippai (æÂ¥æÂÂ). Kurozumikyà  only worships the sun as its primary deity, a similarity also found in the Ancient Egyptian religion Atenism. Kurozumikyà  believes that all kami (spirits) are the manifestations of a single supreme deity, namely Amaterasu.
Sun worship, called nippai (æÂ¥æÂÂ), is the core ritual of Kurozumikyà Â. The practice originates from Okayama folk religion, which also had nippai practices during the early 19th century.
Kurozumikyà  believes that Amaterasu is the source of all light and life, and is the creator of the entire universe. Humanity is believed to be able to tap into the divine power of Amaterasu to heal the sick and perform other miracles. The religion is based in Okayama and focuses on the virtues of sincerity, selflessness, hard work, and affirmation of the established social order. The "Five Articles of Sincerity" (äºÂã¤ã®誠) are:
The religion's beliefs are described in the Kurozumikyà  Kyà Âsho (é»Âä½ÂæÂÂæÂÂæ¸).
Kurozumi's divine experience occurred during the winter solstice of 1814, which also happened to be his birthday. According to Hardacre (1986),
The religion was formally established as the Kurozumi Kyà Âdan (é»Âä½ÂæÂÂå£) in 1846. Kurozumi and senior disciples assembled the Osadamegaki, putting into writing all the beliefs, values, and laws of the religion. Originally, their religious and missionary activity was tolerated by the feudal Okayama lord, as it did not threaten his power or conflict greatly with the religious beliefs already practiced in the area.
By the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kurozumikyà  had gained followers across Japan, with followers concentrated mainly in western Japan. Okayama, Hiroshima, Tottori, and Shimane prefectures had the most followers, followed by the Kansai region. There were also some followers in Kyushu, Tokyo, and Hokkaido. In 1876, the Board of Shinto Affairs granted Kurozumikyà  official status as a Shinto sect called Shintà  Kurozumi-ha (ç¥ÂéÂÂé»Âä½Âæ´¾). Kurozumikyà  established its own Shinto shrine, the Munetada Shrine (), in Okayama in 1885.
Today, Kurozumikyà  Honbu (é»Âä½ÂæÂÂ推), the headquarters of the religion, is located on Shintà Â-zan (ç¥ÂéÂÂå±±, or "Mount Shinto") in Okayama. Every morning before sunset, the sun worshipping ritual nippai (æÂ¥æÂÂ) is performed at a platform on Shintà Â-zan to honor the rising sun. Shintà Â-zan is a southeastern peak of . Kibitsu Shrine is located at the northwestern foot of the mountain near Kibitsu Station, and Kibitsuhiko Shrine at its northeastern foot near Bizen-Ichinomiya Station. Kurozumikyà  Honbu can be accessed via a hiking trail that starts from Kibitsuhiko Shrine, or via a paved road from Kibitsu Shrine.
, Kurozumikyà Â's former headquarters, is located near à Âmoto Station in Okayama's city center. The headquarters was moved to Mount Shinto in order to allow for better sunrise views.
List of Chief Patriarchs of Kurozumikyà Â:
Selected books published by the Kurozumikyà  headquarters in Okayama: