An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture. Most of the stories concern the creation of the world, the foundation of the islands of japan, and the activities of deities, humans, animals, spirits, and magical creatures. Red winter by annette marie, across the nightingale floor by lian hearn, inuyasha. Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Originally, all spirits, ghosts, and monsters were known as oni. The shinto religion alone has many kami japanese for gods or spirits most japanese myths, as generally known today, are based on the kojiki, nihonshoki and some other books. Common types of primary sources include works of literature, historical documents, original philosophical writings, and religious texts. Jan 5, 2014 lets jumpstart this year with rich stories of japanese mythology and folklore. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. Once writing was introduced in japan, those oral traditions were recorded in the kojiki book of ancient things, and the nihongi chronicles of japan, compiled in the eighth century. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape.
The early japanese believed that the world around them was inhabited by gods and spirits. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. Japan has been known to contain some of the most whimsical and even eerie tales of mythology, intriguing audiences on an international scale. Currently popular in anime, manga, film, and computer games, many yokai originated in. The best fantastical japanese mythology books anime. Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. Japanese folklore are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of japan, shinto and buddhism.
Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. The book of yokai is a fascinating and enormously informative study. The main shrine building stands at the foot of mount inari, with the iconic red torii gatelined path winding up to the peak behind it. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. I could assume that you mustve have heard some of the folk. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. According to the ehon hyaku monogatari, its body has never been seen, as. Long, long ago, when all the animals could talk, there lived in the province of inaba in japan, a little white hare. Visit the links to learn about japanese myths related to objects in the sky, and aspects of their world.
Oh, and on a random note about japanese mythology and the ainu. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. Every book ive seen on their mythology either has only one star on barnes and noble, or only 32 pages, which cant possibly teach me anything. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. My exposure to japanese mythology and folklore actually began when i was in grade school. The isonade, beach stroker is an enormous, shark like sea monster said to live off the coast of matsuura and other places in western japan.
Amazing origami models from japanese culture and mythology. Explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the. Passed down from generations through both spoken word and writing, there is a vast number of ancient tales that touch upon virtually every aspect of life. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. Japanese mythology explores the nations attraction to this act of historical grounding and the varying identities that emerged during different historical periods. Japanese mythology and millions of other books are available for instant. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. Nov 07, 20 japanese mythology is largely derived from the state religion of shinto. This creation myth, or story about the creation of the world, became central to the shinto religion. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami japanese for gods or spirits. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
The kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. Ninetailed foxes appear in a lot of different japanese myths and stories. So, if youre looking to read more books on mythology because youve been loving the movies and games inspired by greek and norse myths, or. Japanese mythology crossover fanfiction archive with over 43 stories. Japanese mythology by judith piggott library of the worlds myths and legends. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the study of mythology and folklore is a peculiar one to the ext. From the ruler of the heavens amaterasu to ryujin, the dragonking of the sea, this book helps kids understand the myths that shape and direct peoples lives. Japanese mythology myth encyclopedia god, story, legend. Studies in japanese folklore, 1963 online research.
Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. Discusses the mythology of japan, its origins in shintoism and buddhism, and the gods, spirits, men, and animals that appear in the many legends and stories. Michael ashkenazi is a professional writer and the author of numerous scholarly and encyclopedia articles on japanese religion and culture. While buddhism has overtaken much of japan, many people still practice shinto, mostly for tradition rather than actual belief in the surrounding mythology. There are many japanese myths, stories folklore and fables.
The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of. Japanese myths stand out in in the study of mythology in that they often do not subscribe to many of the common featuresstory arcs that are shared among other world mythologies. Dec 16, 2014 overflowing with great stories of japans fantastical monsters, spirits, and other creatures of the collective imagination, the book of yokai is filled with solid information, a variety of new perspectives, and the kind of richness of detail that will enhance any readers enjoyment of japans monstrous folk traditions. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Before shrines were built, natural spaces where kami shinto deities were believed to be present were used for worship. Abumiguchi a furry creature formed from the stirrup of a mounted military commander who worked for yamata no orochi aburaakago an infant ghost who licks the oil out of andon lamps aburasumashi a spirit with a large head who lives on a mountain pass in kumamoto prefecture akabeko a red cow involved in the construction of enzoji in yanaizu, fukushima. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures.
The book is easy to read, and at the same time immensely informative on the complicated and varied ways yokai have existed throughout japanese history. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. In a world thought to have been createdand nearly destroyedby the primordial gods izanagi and izanami, mythic heroes battled ferocious dragons and giant spiders, while ordinary bamboo cutters and farmers made unexpected contact with the supernatural. Japanese mythology is largely derived from the state religion of shinto. Though oni have been depicted in various ways in japanese legend and art, sometimes also.
The white hare of inaba the japanese hares brown fur changes to white during the winter of some regions of japan. Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. See more ideas about japanese mythology, mythology and creatures. Broadly labeled yokai, these creatures come in infinite shapes and sizes, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water spirits to shapeshifting foxes and longtongued ceilinglickers. Monsters, ghosts, fantastic beings, and supernatural phenomena of all sorts haunt the folklore and popular culture of japan. Metrobooks, 1997 new larousse encyclopedia of mythology translated by richard aldington and delano ames. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to buddhism. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of justice. Japanese mythology is full of countless stories of oni encounters with lords and ladies, warriors and rogues. Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami deities or spirits.
A primary source is a work that is being studied, or that provides firsthand or direct evidence on a topic. It originally came out of chinese mythology and was later introduced to both japan and korea. They are the cast of a vast, complex mythology that encompasses two religions, three cultures, and three millennia, one whose ancient deities are still hard at work today. Every culture has their individual myths and folklore that contain an array of whimsical beasts and heroes alike. Fushimi inaritaisha is an ancient shrine, founded in 711, making it one of kyotos oldest and most significant places. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Japanese mythology submitted names behind the name. However, my understanding is that it has quite a scholar approach to the subject, and that reading it feels more like a lecture, which is fine but not quite like im. A lot of mangas pull inspiration from a large number of different cultures that can kind of make it seem like a grabbag of mythology that was just stolen in order to use names and powers, where as naruto links it all together fairly well and has thematic consistency in that sense. The japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a widespread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into japan from china along with buddhism. No two stories about oni are exactly alike except for one thingoni are always the villains of mankind.
To simplify things, i would like to tell you my list of top 5 japanese folklore and fables. Readers of japanese mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. Handbook of japanese mythology michael ashkenazi oxford. What are some beautiful japanese myths, stories and fables. Studies in japanese folklore, 1963 online research library. One thing that i appreciate is that he kept it very japanese. Jul 29, 2016 the ninetailed fox is a very popular creature in japanese mythology.
The root of their name is a word meaning hidden or. Japanese mythology is a very complex system of beliefs that embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. The isonade as depicted in takehara shunsens ehon hyaku monogatari.
Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. Bill tsutsui, president of hendrix college and author of godzilla on. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories. Come in to read stories and fanfics that span multiple fandoms in the japanese mythology universe. The ninetailed fox is a very popular creature in japanese mythology. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. Stories and studies of strange things by lafcadio hearn, shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, tales of moonlig.
Oni, in japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. The festivals of a japanese town, the essence of japanese cuisine, and sex, sexuality, and the anthropologist with fran markowitz. Japanese mythology consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism. Ive been wanting to read a bit about japanese myths and legends, kamis and yokais, and the main reference i found was handbook of japanese mythology, which seems quite complete. Michael ashkenazis handbook of japanese mythology is an expert study that deserves a prominent place on the shelves of many japanophiles, including those devoted to religious studies and such early sources as the kojiki and nihongi, as well as those who more broadly study the roots of world myth. Through the act of commentary and interpretation, the sacred books connected interpreters to their historical origins, authenticating where they came from, the emergence of the japanese archipelago, and the uniqueness of the japanese people. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in. Mississippi river hydrology may help reduce oil onshore scientists are currently tracking the effects of the oil spill on the wetlands of the louisiana coast. The book reveals the origins of japans myths in the very different realms of buddhism, shinto, and folklore, and explores related mythologies of the ainu and. Nov 3, 20 images of figures from japanese mythology, including gods, creatures, and anything associated. Feb 02, 2016 i really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look.
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