Why was shintoism formed?

Shinto believes that harmony in nature corresponds to a heirarchical relationship of natural powers and responsibilities. It has been blended with Confuscianism to emphasize that those in power have a responsibility to divine harmony, and therefore should be honored as divine agents. Although Shinto was practiced on a "folk" level of individual beliefs and prayers to individual ancestral spirits, it became organized as a state religion. In Imperial Japan, the Emperor was considered the head of the Shinto religion. Respect for the divine order of things evolved into a "my country right or wrong" loyalty to the Emperor.