Shinto is the indigenous religion of the Japanese people. The focus of Shinto is reverence for kami, a term used to describe both deities and the numinous quality perceived in objects of nature such as trees, rocks, waters, and mountains. The spiri ts of deceased emperors and heroes, and other famous persons are revered as kami. Kami receive tribute at shrines in the form of food offerings, music, dance and the performance of traditional skills as archery and sumo wrestling.