I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. Japanese mythology 1 in japanese mythology, everything in nature has a. 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. Tobosaku is the bad guy in the japanese mythology who stole not only one, but three peaches out of seibos garden. The tendency to syncretize by overlying older traditions with newer foreign ideas has occurred. Aka shita is a mysterious spirit which takes the form of a dark cloud with sharp claws, and a hairy, bestial face. 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. Feb 02, 2016 what are the best books on japanese mythology. 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. What is a good book about japanese mythology and other cultures. 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. 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. 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. An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture.
Manga commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Japanese mythology is a very complex system of beliefs that embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. Metrobooks, 1997 new larousse encyclopedia of mythology translated by richard aldington and delano ames. Japanese folklore are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of japan, shinto and buddhism. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. The book of yokai provides a lively excursion into japanese folklore and its everexpanding influence on global popular culture. 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 simple english wikipedia, the free. It also invites readers to examine how people create, transmit, and collect folklore, and how they make sense of the mysteries in the world around them. Apr 30, 2015 the lost sun, by tessa gratton grattons the united states of asgard series reimagines the u. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in.
Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. Its most prominent feature and namesake is the long, bright red tongue that lolls from its mouth. 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. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. 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 consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism.
Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. Did you know that our solar system now has eight planets and five dwarf planets, according to the international astronomical union did you know that, according to ancient chinese myth, humans were generated from the fleas which lived on the body of the giant panku earth and space science concept of the day. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. 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. Though oni have been depicted in various ways in japanese legend and art, sometimes also. What are some beautiful japanese myths, stories and fables. One thing that i appreciate is that he kept it very japanese.
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 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. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. Unknown binding january 1, 1975 see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories. The japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a widespread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to buddhism. Handbook of japanese mythology linkedin slideshare. I love books based on greek mythology, but the bookstore is big and full of wonders, including whole mythological universes that are even more fun to explore through ya. Ive been getting reinterested in the various mythologies thanks to neil gaimans norse mythology book, and wanted to read. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Here are 7 diverse mythinspired novels you shouldnt miss.
To simplify things, i would like to tell you my list of top 5 japanese folklore and fables. The drama of myths are particularly wellsuited to provide the scaffolding for teenage stories, whether focused coming of age or romance and adventure. 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. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. Japanese mythology and millions of other books are available for instant. The festivals of a japanese town, the essence of japanese cuisine, and sex, sexuality, and the anthropologist with fran markowitz. Read 32 answers by scientists with 42 recommendations from their colleagues to the question asked by dusan spasic on jan 24, 2012. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. 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. 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. There are many japanese myths, stories folklore and fables. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george m.
Broadly labeled yokai, these creatures come in infinite shapes and sizes, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water spirits. Monsters, ghosts, fantastic beings, and supernatural phenomena of all sorts haunt the folklore and popular culture of japan. The best fantastical japanese mythology books anime. Every culture has their individual myths and folklore that contain an array of whimsical beasts and heroes alike. 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. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami japanese for gods or spirits. 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. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape.
The mythology of indonesia is very diverse, the indonesian people consisting of hundreds of ethnic groups, each with their own myths and legends that explain the origin of their people, the tales of their ancestors and the demons or deities in their belief systems. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. 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. Explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. I could assume that you mustve have heard some of the folk. Natsuo kirino after reading out, which earned kirino the grand prix award, i wondered it if was true that she began her career writing romantic fiction. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. I like to describe him to people as japans bodybuilding version of hunter s. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. 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. Dec 16, 2014 monsters, ghosts, fantastic beings, and supernatural phenomena of all sorts haunt the folklore and popular culture of japan.
Thompson because i think both men shared that deep, maniacal passion for their ideas and utter disregard for whatever was acceptable during their time. Shop windows to the universe young voices for the planet dvd in our online store includes 8 films where students speak out and take action on climate change. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. 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.
Red winter by annette marie, across the nightingale floor by lian hearn, inuyasha. Oni, in japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. In any case, kirino walks a fine line between gritty noir and elegant literary fiction, and she walks it very well. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami deities or spirits.
What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. Japan has been known to contain some of the most whimsical and even eerie tales of mythology, intriguing audiences on an international scale. Japanese mythology by judith piggott library of the worlds myths and legends. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. Handbook of japanese mythology michael ashkenazi oxford. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george. The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. 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.
The life of yukio mishima, as well as his death, are as strange and amazing as any of his books. Michael ashkenazi is a professional writer and the author of numerous scholarly and encyclopedia articles on japanese religion and culture. Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. 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 kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. No wonder that tobosaku is always shown as an old man, with a broad smile and a peach in his hand. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into japan from china along with buddhism.
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