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Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the Japanese archipelago. Shinto traditions are the cornerstones of Japanese mythology. [1]
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Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the Japanese people. Most of the surviving Japanese myths are recorded in the Kojiki (compiled 712; “Records of Ancient Matters”) and the Nihon.
- Popular Japanese Myths
- Yama-Uba
- Uji No Hashihime
- Tengu
- Demon on Agi Bridge
- Aka Manto
- Tanuki
- Jorogumo
- Kappa
- Kamaitachi
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Mythology plays an important role in the lives of Japanese people today. The myths or legends of Japan and legends are the basis of much Japanese art, drama and literature. People still learn and tell stories about gods and goddesses. Traditional kagura dances are performed to honor the deities at Shinto shrines. Of the hundreds of yokai or superna...
Also originating from the medieval period within Japanese mythology, Yama-ubaare generally considered to be old women who were outcast by society and forced to live in the mountains, who also have a penchant for eating human flesh. Among many Japanese myths, there is one of a yama-uba who offers shelter to a young woman who is about to give birth w...
In another tale of Japanese myths that tell of a woman scorned, Uji no hashihime prayed to a deity to turn her into an oni so that she could kill her husband, the woman he fell in love with, and all her relatives. To accomplish this, she bathed in the Uji River for 21 days, split her hair into five horns, painted her body red with vermilion, and pe...
Tengu are mischievous mountain goblins who play tricks on people, appear in countless folktales within Japanese myths and were considered purely evil until about the 14th century. They were originally depicted as birds, with wings and beaks, although now the beak is often replaced by a comically large nose. They have been known to drive people away...
This myth from Japan begins as so many horror stories do: with an overconfident man who boasted to his friends that he was not afraid to cross the Agi Bridge or that thedemonwas rumored to reside there. As the oni are known for their ability to shape-shift, the Agi Bridge demon appeared to the man as an abandoned woman. As soon as it caught the you...
Japanese myths have a demon for almost everything in their legends, Aka Manto was one of the most popular demons, hiding in women’s baths. In one version of the story, Aka Manto asks women if they would like a red cape or a blue cape. If the woman answers “red,” Aka Manto rips the flesh off her back to make it look like she is wearing a red cape. I...
Starting the list with strong Japanese mythology are the tanuki, or tanuki dogs. Tanuki are real animalsnative to Japan that look like, as the name suggests, a cross between a raccoon and a dog. But the folkloric version of tanukis, bake-danuki, is much more mischievous and powerful. If you’ve ever been or go to Japan, you’ll undoubtedly come acros...
A decidedly uncharming yokai of Japanese myth is the Jorogumo. When an orb-weaving spider turns 400 years old, it grows tremendously large and is capable of transforming into a beautiful woman to entice men to eat later. Since the origin story of the Jorogumo involves real spiders, the word is also used to refer to several species of spiders that, ...
In the myths of Japan, humanoid reptiles called Kappa are said toinhabit the ponds and rivers of Japan. They are short and scaly, have spikes for mouths and have a bowl on the top of their heads containing water. If a kappa’s bowl is emptied on dry land in any way, they are said to lose their magical powers. Although they are generally malevolent, ...
Kamaitachi in Japanese myths are weasels with sickle-shaped nailson their paws. When they attack people, they travel in whirlwinds, knocking their victims down before giving them a quick cut on the ankles or calves. According to Japanese mythology, the creatures’ sickles are said to contain a type of medicine that prevents the wound from bleeding o...
Learn about the most popular and frightening yokai or supernatural beings in Japanese folklore, from mountain oysters to spider women. Discover their origins, characteristics, stories and meanings in this article.
- Greg Ramos
Learn about the creation myths, deities, and legends that shape Japan's identity and culture. Discover the ancient texts, mythical places, and creatures that reveal Japan's mystical past and present.
Oct 31, 2023 · Learn about the history, periods and influences of Japanese mythology, the set of stories about legends, gods, ceremonies and customs of the Japanese people. Discover the creation myth, the sun goddess Amaterasu, the Kamiyonanayo and more.
- Carol Woods
Dec 12, 2022 · Learn about the origins, stories, and characters of Japanese mythology, a rich and complex cultural legacy influenced by Shinto, Buddhism, and other traditions. Explore the creation of Japan, Amaterasu and the cave, the Hare of Inaba, Okiku, and more.
Learn about the gods, goddesses, and kami of Japanese mythology, a combination of Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Explore the stories, symbols, and meanings of these divine beings and their roles in Japanese culture and history.
