was medieval Shinto a foce in japan's religious, cultural, and intellectual life?

Answer 1

You will find answers here:
http://eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp/modules/xwords/entry.php?entryID=724
and here:
http://www.eastasian.ucsb.edu/content/people_grapard.html

Answer 2

Shinto (literally, the way of the gods) is the native Japanese religion. It originated in prehistoric times and has long played an important role in Japanese society.

This link has more:
http://www.japan-zone.com/omnibus/shinto.shtml

This has the good info however:
http://www.jinja.or.jp/english/s-0.html

As does this:
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-23176/Japan