Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. Refers to a spiritual or divine entity in the mythology of the indigenous ainu people of japan. The japanese for mythology is find more japanese words at. This is also a japanese mythological creature, this might actually be the origin of the name itself.
Japanese mythology submitted surnames behind the name. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. Such a perspective can be upsetting and frustrating, but its also an invitation to the reader to. Japan is rich in legends and folk tales, some of which are linked to actual places. Choose from 51 different sets of japanese mythology flashcards on quizlet. 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. Japanese mythology submitted names behind the name. Japanese mythology is largely derived from the state religion of shinto. 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. Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. In the goddess chronicle, kirino encourages the reader to see one of the keystone tales of japanese mythology from the perspective of darkness, and the perspective of those not showered with glory, and the perspective of those left behind.
Nov 07, 20 japanese mythology is largely derived from the state religion of shinto. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization. What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. Asian mythology and millions of other books are available for instant access. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. He was born when izanagi washed his nose after returning from the underworld. Readers have also complimented the book in saying that it does well giving a fresh take on folktales while still keeping the foundation of ancient japanese mythology intact. Japanese mythology name generator the ultimate bank of. Theres more than just greek and roman mythology, too. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. There are also some books on japanese mythology on amazon, so check those out for a more thorough version of these myths. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories.
I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. It is clearly described that nigihayahi was ruling yamato ancient name of the capital and the center of japan before conquest war of emperor jinmu in the two oldest official history books of japan, kojiki 712 or nihon shoki 720. The complete atoz names index of japanese deities, spirits, demons, monsters and other legendary characters from japanese mythology. It is clearly described that nigihayahi was ruling yamato ancient name of the capital and the center of japan before conquest war of emperor jinmu in the two oldest official history books of. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. The book of yokai is a fascinating and enormously informative study. The drama of myths are particularly wellsuited to provide the scaffolding for teenage stories, whether focused coming of age or romance and adventure.
Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. The kojiki, which translates to the record of ancient matters, is an ancient document that elaborates the legends and myths of japan. In japanese mythology he was the god of storms and the sea, as well as the brother and adversary of the goddess amaterasu. 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.
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. An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture. Learn japanese mythology with free interactive flashcards. Includes a few of big names and stories from the listed religions and the. 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.
Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Any help on a specific hero or heroes in general is much appreciated. In which inappropriate humour becomes a coping mechanism for. Readers of japanese mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. Japanese mythology dates back 2000 years and melds the beliefs of the shinto and buddhist religions with a focus on creation and the forces of nature. Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology author.
Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. The narration is very good, and i personally loved it. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Selection names and i know ive heard your name before, but could you. Metrobooks, 1997 new larousse encyclopedia of mythology translated by richard aldington and delano ames.
Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. The best fantastical japanese mythology books anime. The shinto religion alone has a very big number of kami japanese for gods or spirits. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami.
Feb 02, 2016 i really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. 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. Japanese mythology by judith piggott library of the worlds myths and legends. The book draws influence from actual japanese events and combines them with stories rooted from japanese fairy tales. Though the rains they bring might save a village in drought or bring fortune to farmers, they have a more sinister purposeunder the cover of the rain, ame onna wander the villages looking for newborn girls. Unlike the gods, however, ame onna are not benevolent. The story of when, how, and why my life turned into a selfinsert fanfiction saga, and how i accidently broke myself trying to fix the world all while pretending to be someone else. A captivating guide to chinese mythology, japanese. Contents 8 introduction vii map of the greek world, c. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. 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. 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 consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism. By purchasing books through this website, you support. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. 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. I am doing a report on japanese mythological heroes and i am having trouble finding the main important heroes.
Since ive read mainly hindu mythology books, i can help only with those. The concise list can be found on our pantheon page of japanese gods and spirits this list is frequently updated we are constantly discovering more. 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 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. Japanese gods and goddesses pantheons the white goddess. Best mythology books for kids and teens common sense media. Oh, and on a random note about japanese mythology and the ainu. 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. Mar 11, 2008 handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Only nigihayahi furu has the name of amateru among japanese deities.
Godcheckers az names list of japanese gods and spirits. Dec 31, 2009 todays post is abou 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. The kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. The first myth has to do with the formation of japan. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in. Dec 16, 2014 the book of yokai is a fascinating and enormously informative study. Myths and legends of japan, written in 19, was an immediate bestseller when it was first released. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. With the meiji restoration, japan began a period of modernization in the late 19th century that would open up the country to the rest of the world for the first time. Our holy database currently contains 225 japanese deity names and 94 unique articles. Benzaiten, f japanese mythology the name of a japanese goddess, often considered to be the japanese form of saraswati.
We chose 20 compelling mythology books to read when youre seeking a. Imbolc feb 2nd ostara mar 21st22nd beltane april 30thmay 1st lithia june 21st22nd lammas july 31staug 1st mabon sept 21st22nd. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well. The 10 best norse mythology books odin riding sleipnir detail from the tjangvide runestone there are so many books on norse mythology out there, especially at the beginner level, that if you were to make a pile with one copy of each it would probably reach all the way up to asgard itself. Well only go through a couple of myths, and the versions of these myths will be condensed. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology book book details. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Japanese mythology contemporary japanese literature. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions.
The 10 best norse mythology books norse mythology for smart. 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. 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. This creation myth, or story about the creation of the world, became central to the shinto religion. Though the rains they bring might save a village in drought or bring fortune to farmers, they have a more sinister purposeunder the cover of the rain. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of justice.
Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. 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. Read more about the legends of tono in an ebook from kobo books. See more ideas about mythology, japanese folklore and japanese mythology.
The fantastic in every sense of the word books on this list draw from indian, norse, japanese. 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. The early japanese believed that the world around them was inhabited by gods and spirits. What are the most interesting novels based on mythology. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. The term shares similarities with the japanese word kami. It shows the what could have been of india, following t.
Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. Discover the right one with this ultimate name generator. There might be more ways than this, but the previously stated are the more standard readings. 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.