This is a list of demons that appear in religion, theology, demonology, mythology, and folklore. What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Hadland davis pulled from hearns works, from basil chamberlains things japanese, from various translations of the kojiki and the nihongi, and from all of the new research available to create a single volume detailing the myths and legends of japan. You may have heard of the three views of japan matsushima, amanohashidate, and itsukushima, the three great gardens of japan kenrokuen, korakuen, and kairakuen, or the three sacred mountains of japan mount fuji, mount haku, and mount tate. It is not a list of names of demons, although some are listed by more than one name. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. Behind the tales though lies quite monstrous and deathly beasts that have not been so much popular yet. The nihon shoki begins with the japanese creation myth, explaining the origin of the world and the first seven generations of divine beings starting with kuninotokotachi, and goes on with a number of myths as does the kojiki, but continues its account through. Japanese mythology has its fair share of weird monsters, and theyve quickly become quite wellknown worldwide. Some series take inspiration from these historical folktales that you may not even know about. 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. 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.
Totoya hokkei demon preparing to write in an account book from the. 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. Shuten doji and his gang rampaged through kyoto, capturing noble virgins, drinking their blood and eating their organs raw. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. The japanese monsters are getting quite popular for the kappa to the kasaobake. A new exhibition looks at a legend that has gripped the japanese imagination for seven centuries a myth whose graphic novellike plot has. The creation myth comes from the kojiki, or record of ancient matters, the first book written in japan dating back to 712 and the nihon shoki finished in 720. When it comes to the creatures of japanese mythology, everyone knows the strange and absurd monsters, from the kappa to the kasaobake. One book that makes this reference is an illustrated book on swords by comicbook artist kurogane hiroshi ja who has frequently created work. There was also a glossary in the back which really helped me and my short memory. Jan 02, 2018 its been a while since we last took a look a japanese folklore, so today we explore the origins of one of the most iconic demons in japanese folklore, the oni. Shutendoji, according to one legend, was born at ganbara, echigo. An archive of our own, a project of the organization for transformative works. Minamoto yorimitsu and the monster shutendoji, 1829 by katsukawa shuntei.
Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. 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. I saw this book on a kindle search for japanese mythology and a book titled japanese mythology a to z seemed like a good choice. Shutendoji is a mythical oni or demon leader of japan, who according to legend was killed by. There are three monsters who are considered the greatest and most evil yokai in all of japanese folklore. There are few monsters who are considered among the greatest and most evil yokai in all of japanese folklore. Although decapitated, the demons detached head still took a bite at. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Manga commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami.
The story takes place at rashomon, the south gate of old kyoto. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. With this list, well be looking at 10 characters based on this old lore. This book illustration from 1737 is reproduced in kaibyo. Shadow of the fox by julie kagawa, red winter by annette marie, flame in the mist by renee ahdieh, kinslayer by jay. Soga shohaku, blue oni, detail from a hanging scroll depicting the sessen doji story. This video covers the story of two of the most evilest yokai in japanese mythology shuten doji and tamamo no mae. The dreaded king of the oni, shuten doji, is one of them. 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.
Oni, ubiquitous supernatural figures in japanese literature, lore, art, and religion, usually. Popular japanese mythology books goodreads share book. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook. Japanese mythology your guide to the gods of japan. This video covers the story of two of the most evilest yokai in japanese mythology shutendoji and tamamo no mae.
Intro introduction to japanese mythology pantheon the japanese pantheon explore browse our entries on japanese mythology find gods search the holy database of all known gods az index list of deity names from japanese mythology. Feb 02, 2016 i really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look. Ibuki, where in literature like the nihon shoki, in the legend of the defeat of the giant snake yamata no orochi to susanoo in a battle, it fled from izumo to omi, had a child with a wealthy persons daughter, with that child was shutendoji. The ancient capitals of heijokyo nara and heiankyo kyoto were built according to chinese geomanticarchitectural ideals, somewhat akin to feng shui. This is why in japanese the twilight hour is called omagatoki. This encyclopedia contains over 125 illustrated entries detailing the monsters of japanese folklore and the myths and magic surrounding them. Contentsshow history shutendouji is an oni often called the leader of all oni in the mountains, for he is the most infamous and the strongest. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. It was so cool seeing casual references to creatures such as yokai and shinigami, and seeing it play such a rich part in the story.
Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. Jorogumo is a type of yokai, a creature, ghost or goblin of japanese folklore. The story begins in a limitless, formless chaos of a dark, silent universe. Before he became a legendary monster, shuten doji was a. The book can be purchased here, and do support matthews yokai. Fantasy, magical realism, mythic fiction, historic fiction, or general fiction based in japanese mythology. Noriko reider tales of the supernatural in early modern japan takes us on a tour of the various masks the oni has worn over the story of shuten doji, and an. The kaibutsu ehon illustrated book of monsters features woodblock.
Buy a cheap copy of japanese mythology book by juliet piggott. This trilogy is a modernday persephone retelling with all of the frothy drama youd expect in a supernatural romance, and cheekily combines the troubles of life in the underworld with the everyday trials and tribulation of being a teenager. Jan 23, 2020 japanese folklore is a huge part of japanese culture and this is reflected in tons of anime series that take heavy inspiration from japans centuries of mythology. Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozunokamigamithe eight million. See more ideas about japanese folklore, japanese art and japanese mythology. This video covers the story of two of the most evilest yokai in japanese mythology shuten doji. It can only be seen at night in large cities, hopping like a rabbit and searching for human souls to steal. The demon of rashomon ibarakidoji this story has the potential to go off on so many interesting tangents that i have to be careful how i tell it this summer i visited the kyoto history museum, which puts a lot of this legend into a very tangible perspective, making it all the more interesting because of the connections. The birth of amaterasu, trukuyumi, susawono, and the leechchild. Nov 02, 2018 click here to get the japanese mythology book displayed in the video.
While it doesnt look that different from a normal pig, it s unable to cast a shadow, and has glowing red eyes and only one ear. 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. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. 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. Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. Her growth and character development were done spectacularly. Jan 10, 2014 explore othgens board japanese mythology, followed by 150. Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. Japanese artwork japanese painting japanese prints japanese mythology japanese folklore hannya tattoo japanese monster japanese warrior traditional japanese art what others are saying. Published on jan 2, 2018 its been a while since we last took a look a japanese folklore, so today we explore the origins of one of the most iconic demons in japanese folklore, the oni. 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. Oni the traditional japanese demon the story of shuten.
Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines by matt clayton 4. Book 1 entails the events of her life from birth to the war of ooeyama, right on the brink of becoming infamous. Finally, a band of heroes led by the legendary warrior minamoto no yorimitsu assaulted shuten dojis palace, and with the help of some magical poison, were able to assault the oni band during a bout of heavy drinking. Cruel and malicious, they can, nevertheless, be converted to. Mar 11, 2008 buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. The following is a list of demons, ghosts, kami, obake, yokai, yurei and other legendary creatures that are notable in japanese folklore and mythology contents 09. Japanese mythology the shinto and folk gods of japan. The book is also called the nihongi, japanese chronicles. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. Oni, in japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into japan from china along with buddhism. Within this book, youll find the following japanese myths and topics covered. One story says that he was a handsome young man who shook the hearts of many women, but he was cold and arrogant to all.
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