A field guide to japanese yokai yokai series book 1. 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. To simplify things, i would like to tell you my list of top 5 japanese folklore and fables. There are many japanese myths, stories folklore and fables. It originally came out of chinese mythology and was later introduced to both japan and korea. Each of the seven gods has been recognized as a deity for more than a. Japanese mythology and millions of other books are available for instant.
Score a book s 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. By purchasing books through this website, you support. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami deities or spirits. 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. An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture.
Oh, and on a random note about japanese mythology and the ainu. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in. This is literally a casefic for a real actual suicide, and depicts some pretty not fun things. The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. It also appears in the heianperiod encyclopedia wamyo ruijusho 938 ce, and again in the heike monogatari 71 ce, a record of one of japans bloodiest civil wars and most tragic family.
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 okinawan cultures and recent myths arising from japans encounters with. 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. Ryan and shane investigate the death and haunting of an internet japanese streamer named ruruchan. No wonder that tobosaku is always shown as an old man, with a broad smile and a peach in his hand. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of. Tobosaku is the bad guy in the japanese mythology who stole not only one, but three peaches out of seibos garden. 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. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. 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 by judith piggott library of the worlds myths and legends. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. 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. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. 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.
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. What are some beautiful japanese myths, stories and fables. The seven lucky gods of japan are a group of deities whose origins stem from indian, chinese, and indigenous japanese gods of fortune. Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of justice. Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. The classic stories of mythology have been repeatedly mined for inspiration and reinterpreted for modern times, and have been an ongoing trend in young adult literature. Aug 24, 2017 the classic stories of mythology have been repeatedly mined for inspiration and reinterpreted for modern times, and have been an ongoing trend in young adult literature.
Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to buddhism. You can get it directly here myths and legends of japan the most popular myths and legends of japanese culture are charmingly retold in english in this. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. Ninetailed foxes appear in a lot of different japanese myths and stories. An interesting and very different take on ghost stories looks into cultural differences in the paranormal. 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 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. There are also some books on japanese mythology on amazon, so check those out for a more thorough version of these myths. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george m. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories. Some myths describe characters and events associated with particular places in japan.
Bill tsutsui, president of hendrix college and author of godzilla on. Now weve put together a list the best japanese mythology books for you to really get a glimpse into some of the best stories, characters, and yokai lurking in every corner of japanese history. Nov 3, 20 images of figures from japanese mythology, including gods, creatures, and anything associated. Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712.
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. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. Explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the. I could assume that you mustve have heard some of the folk. I have 6 buttons 12 inch each, and i needed to find out which one i was missing and try and get the missing one to complete my set. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. 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. As a student of japanese embroidery, i am always looking for materials that may enhance my knowledge of japanese arts. What is a good book about japanese mythology and other cultures. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. The best fantastical japanese mythology books anime.
Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. Titles in abcclios handbooks of world mythology handbook of arab mythology, hasan elshamy handbook of celtic mythology, joseph falaky nagy handbook of classical mythology, william f. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization. Metrobooks, 1997 new larousse encyclopedia of mythology translated by richard aldington and delano ames. The book reveals the origins of japans myths in the very different realms of buddhism, shinto, and folklore. Based on ancient japanese beliefs and legends, kwaidan. I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. The japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a widespread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology.
Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george. The ninetailed fox is a very popular creature in japanese mythology. My exposure to japanese mythology and folklore actually began when i was in grade school. Japanese mythology myth encyclopedia god, story, legend. Red winter by annette marie, across the nightingale floor by lian hearn, inuyasha.
See more ideas about japanese mythology, mythology and creatures. This creation myth, or story about the creation of the world, became central to the shinto religion. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Two of the monsters that haunt the island of kokorojima in the novel the emperor of any place are borrowed from traditional japanese mythology.
What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. Feb 02, 2016 what are the best books on japanese mythology. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology author. This japanese shinto book profiles each of the seven luck godsimportant deities in japanese culture. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. 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.
Readers of japanese mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. 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. The drama of myths are particularly wellsuited to provide the scaffolding for teenage stories, whether focused coming of age or romance and adventure. In the emperor of any place, they devour the bodies of deceased soldiers who have washed ashore on kokorojima, but.
A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines explore captivating myths of japanese deities. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into japan from china along with buddhism. The nue is one of the oldest yokai recorded, having its first appearance in the kojiki 712 ce, an account of the early histories of japan. 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 includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. Japanese mythology consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism. Mar 11, 2008 handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape.
Stories and studies of strange things is a collection of ghost stories full of personified insects, haunted creatures, demons and more. Pages in category japanese mythology the following 85 pages are in this category, out of 85 total. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology book book details. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. Fiction based in japanese mythology 63 books goodreads. Like comparing movies such as the ring an the grudge to american horror movies this book.
Japanese folklore are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of japan, shinto and buddhism. The kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. 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 okinawan cultures and recent myths arising from japans encounters with modernization. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. Author lafcadio hearn was a scholar in tokyo on the cusp of the 20th century, and was fascinated by the customs of the country where he spent his remaining years. James avonleighs reiko a japanese ghost story had me hooked from the first page and guessing to the end.
Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Though oni have been depicted in various ways in japanese legend and art, sometimes also. Amazing origami models from japanese culture and mythology. Jul 29, 2016 the ninetailed fox is a very popular creature in japanese mythology. 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. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. Handbook of japanese mythology linkedin slideshare. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. Oni, in japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. The book of yokai is a fascinating and enormously informative study. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. This book explains the functions of the gods and how they came about.
604 914 753 965 659 1110 321 501 430 598 326 1222 1064 637 1290 747 1583 1621 819 973 742 1589 980 1636 608 268 1664 117 157 1413 80 558 872 60 916 489 283 1297 91 1334