The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. Jul 17, 2012 the ancient storytellers of japan write about the beginning of life resembling that of the birth of a man. 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. When the in and yo met, they resulted in a chaotic mass with the shape of an egg. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free.
Feb 02, 2016 what are the best books on japanese mythology. 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. To simplify things, i would like to tell you my list of top 5 japanese folklore and fables. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines by clayton, matt isbn. What are some beautiful japanese myths, stories and fables.
As the smoke rises, humanlike faces appear and disappear in its form. 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. 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. 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. It resides in bonfires and, when it emerges, it takes the form of a human. Readers of japanese mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. The forgotten library japanese mythology enenra is a. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami japanese for gods or spirits. It is said that an enenra can only be seen by the pure of heart.
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. Oh, and on a random note about japanese mythology and the ainu. 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. A field guide to japanese yokai yokai series book 1. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. Nov 3, 20 images of figures from japanese mythology, including gods, creatures, and anything associated. The best fantastical japanese mythology books anime.
Japanese mythology by judith piggott library of the worlds myths and legends. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. 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. Japanese mythology is a very complex system of beliefs that embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. 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. Metrobooks, 1997 new larousse encyclopedia of mythology translated by richard aldington and delano ames. It was first featured in the konjaku hyakki shui, circa 1781 mythology. Japanese mythology consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism.
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. 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. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to buddhism. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. 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 by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology author. The japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a widespread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits.
It floats about as it climbs into the air, billowing in the wind, and appearing as fragile as a piece of delicate silk dancing in the breeze. 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. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. 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. Mar 11, 2008 handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. See more ideas about japanese mythology, mythology and creatures. Enenra was invented by toriyama sekien for his book konjaku hyakki shui. The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott.
Enenra is a yokai made up of wisps of smoke, which rise up into the sky from a fires, such as the takibi bonfires which farmers light to dispose of the remains of their harvests. There are many japanese myths, stories folklore and fables. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology book book details. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. The ancient storytellers of japan write about the beginning of life resembling that of the birth of a man. It lives in bonfires and only appears to those who are pure in character. 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. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi.
Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george m. Enenra, enenra is a yokai that is made out of smoke. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. I could assume that you mustve have heard some of the folk. 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. Oni, in japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. Some myths describe characters and events associated with particular places in japan. 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. Chaotic neutral, neutral evil, chaotic evil element. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization. Handbook of japanese mythology linkedin slideshare. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well.
Japanese mythology enenra is a monster comprised of smoke and wind. Enenra is essentially just a personification of smoke. Japanese mythology submitted names behind the name. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of justice. 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. Japanese mythology myth encyclopedia god, story, legend. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of. The kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture.
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. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into japan from china along with buddhism. 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. 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.
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. In the japanese mythology, life came to existence through the miraculous bond of a male in and a female yo spiritual form. 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. Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Though oni have been depicted in various ways in japanese legend and art, sometimes also. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. By purchasing books through this website, you support. 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. Manga commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Japanese folklore are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of japan, shinto and buddhism. I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami deities or spirits.
1097 928 21 72 926 1567 944 991 1012 932 496 830 84 1449 85 853 34 446 1262 499 1565 386 531 314 398 780 314 1486 799 261 1382 236 414 103