Japanese folk tradition and ritual, which has no single founder and no single sacred scripture, is popularly known by which name?

Introduction / Context:
Questions about world religions and belief systems often focus on their origins, founders, and sacred texts. Japan has an indigenous belief system that is deeply rooted in folk traditions, rituals, and reverence for nature and ancestors. Unlike many organised religions, it has no single founder and no single canonical scripture. This question checks whether the learner can correctly identify that this folk tradition is known as Shintoism, or simply Shinto.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The belief system is associated with Japan.
• It is described as a folk tradition with ritual practices.
• There is no single founder.
• There is no single sacred scripture defined as a complete canon.
• The options list several major religions and general terms.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is to match descriptive features with the correct religion. Shintoism is the traditional indigenous religion of Japan, centered on kami, which are spirits or sacred forces. It evolved gradually from local cults and rituals, so there is no historical founder like Buddha, Zoroaster, or Laozi. While Shinto has important texts and chronicles, it does not rely on a single universally binding scripture. Recognising these traits helps differentiate Shinto from scriptural religions with clear founders.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the geographic cue that the folk tradition is Japanese.Step 2: Recall that Shintoism is widely recognised as the native religion of Japan.Step 3: Remember that Shinto grew out of ancient practices rather than one teacher or prophet, so it has no single founder.Step 4: Recall that Shinto has myths and records but no single authoritative scripture comparable to texts like the Bible or Avesta.Step 5: Therefore the appropriate name for the tradition in the question is Shintoism.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard textbooks and encyclopedias describe Shinto as an indigenous Japanese religion based on rituals and kami worship, with no historical founding figure and no central scripture. Other options either come from different regions or have well known founders and texts. Cross checking by region and doctrinal features therefore confirms Shintoism as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Taoism originates in China and is associated with texts such as the Tao Te Ching.Option B: Zoroastrianism was founded by Zoroaster and has sacred texts known as the Avesta.Option D: Paganism is a broad term for pre Christian or polytheistic beliefs and is not specific to Japan.Option E: Zen Buddhism is a school of Buddhism that has doctrinal texts and originates from a combination of Indian and Chinese traditions before spreading strongly in Japan.

Common Pitfalls:
One frequent mistake is to see the word folk tradition and assume a generic label like paganism instead of a specific religion. Another error is confusing Japanese traditions with Chinese Taoism or Buddhist schools due to cultural overlap in East Asia. To avoid such confusion, always connect belief systems to their country of origin and distinctive historical features like founders and scriptures.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Shintoism.