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 mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of justice. This, combined with the spiritual traditions of shinto with its vast pantheon of gods and demons, plus.
Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. 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. Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. 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. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. 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.
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. I really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. The kojiki or record of ancient things is the oldest known book of myths, legends, and history of japan. 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. 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. 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.
Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology author. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces shinto and buddhist traditions as well as agriculturebased folk religion. The shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami deities or spirits. 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. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology ashkenazi, michael on. Mar 09, 2020 a little bit of background before we dive into the myths. 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. The worlds only hope is korra, goddess of the dawn, who will hopefully bring asami out of her exile before it is too late. The 10 best greek mythology books norse mythology for smart. 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 10 best greek mythology books norse mythology for. Handbook of japanese mythology linkedin slideshare.
A tale from chinese opera, retold by aaron shepard ancient tales and folklore of china, by edward t. Whether youre obsessed with greek myths or intrigued by japanese folklore, this list is sure to have a title or two that can offer a great introduction to these beloved stories across the world. See more ideas about japanese mythology, mythology and mythical creatures. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology book book details. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in. 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. This creation myth, or story about the creation of the world, became central to the shinto religion. Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by ashkenazi, michael isbn. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george. By purchasing books through this website, you support. Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Japanese mythology crossover fanfiction archive with over 43 stories.
Sep 26, 2016 retellings of classic stories and folklore are easy to find no matter what genre you love to read, and the possibilities are endless. Some myths describe characters and events associated with particular places in japan. Korrasami, asian fantasymythology au, based on japanese mythology. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization.
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. Naturally, modern japanese anime, manga, video games, etc. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. Theres a bewildering array of books out there on greek mythology, especially at the beginner level. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. Oh, and on a random note about japanese mythology and the ainu. Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. The western edge of aokigahara, where there are several caves that fill with ice in winter, is a popular destination for tourists and.
What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. 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. Retellings of classic stories and folklore are easy to find no matter what genre you love to read, and the possibilities are endless.
Journal of the association of teachers of japanese readable japanese mythology. 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. Pages in category japanese mythology the following 86 pages are in this category, out of 86 total. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines audio download. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. Over the centuries, japan accumulated many examples of wealth deities. The kojiki, which translates to the record of ancient matters, is an ancient document that elaborates the legends and myths of japan.
Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. My exposure to japanese mythology and folklore actually began when i was in grade school. Which ones are most deserving of your hardearned money. 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. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines explore captivating myths of japanese deities. Hansen handbook of egyptian mythology, geraldine pinch handbook of hindu mythology, george m. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. 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. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Different people find greek mythology to be meaningful for different reasons. A superhero tale of china, retold from the journey to the west by aaron shepard lady white snake.
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. Japanese mythology consists of stories derived from old folk beliefs and incorporates elements of shinto mythology as well as buddhism. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. Explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the study of. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. Feb 02, 2016 i really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. Yamata no orochi is one of my favorite and more traditional stories. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well. Benzaiten is a goddess of financial fortune, talent, beauty, and music, adopted from buddhism. Japanese folklore are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of japan, shinto and buddhism.
This list last updated in april of 2019 was written with the intention of helping you make that decision. Aug 15, 2016 10 books about mythology for readers who want to dive into ancient myths. Selections from nihon shoki and kojiki robert borgen and marian ury introduction kojiki and nihon shoki, completed in the years 712 and 720 respectively, are japans two oldest books. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. See more ideas about japanese mythology, mythology and japanese folklore. What is a good book about japanese mythology and other cultures. It was the subject of a bbc radio 4 production first broadcast 10 september 2018 in which four poets traveled to aokigahara to write and record poetry in the forest. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi waterstones. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in 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 okinawan cultures and recent myths arising from japans encounters with modernization.
Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. The japanese satan enmaoo emma oh hell king is actually the ainu god of. Japanese mythology myth encyclopedia god, story, legend. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Come in to read stories and fanfics that span multiple fandoms in the japanese mythology universe. 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 kojiki and nihon shoki, historical records containing the first detailed accounts of japanese folklore, act as the sources for many famous tales of heroes and legendary beasts. The drama of myths are particularly wellsuited to provide the scaffolding for teenage stories, whether focused coming of age or romance and adventure.
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