For questions about Japanese myths and legends.
Questions tagged [japanese]
47 questions
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Are Kitsune and Huli jing the same?
Both the kitsune and huli jing are "fox spirits" with 9 tails, tricksters that can shapeshift into, or possess, young women.
One famous kitsune appears in the true story of Hideyoshi writing a letter threatening to kill all foxes in Japan unless…
congusbongus
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Do we know of the existence of Japanese mythological texts that predate the Kojiki?
The Kojiki (Record of Ancient Matters) is the oldest surviving work of Japanese mythology (and, indeed, the oldest surviving work in the Japanese language, period), and as I understand it, much of our understanding of early Japanese mythology (the…
senshin
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What is the origin of the Japanese Kodama?
One of Studio Ghibli's (excellent) films, named Princess Mononoke, has depictions of kodama:
In Japanese folklore, kodama are tree spirits that inhabit trees that are older than 100 years.
In the collection of yōkai depictions, the Gazu Hyakki…
El'endia Starman
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Why is it so bad to be born in the Year of the Fire Horse?
Japan's birth rate dropped precipitiously in 1966, only to recover completely in 1967.
This is apparently because 1966 was the "Year of the Fire Horse" - that is, in the 60-year zodiacal cycle you get by crossing the twelve zodiac animals with the…
senshin
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12
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What are the origins of the mythic Shachihoko?
A shachihoko (鯱鉾) is an animal in Japanese folklore with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp. It is said to bring rain so is often used on roofs, most notably on Nagoya Castle:
Since tigers became extinct in Japan in prehistoric times, it is…
congusbongus
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12
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Why was Amaterasu so angered by the flayed horse that Susanoo threw at her?
One rather memorable event in the Shinto creation narrative is that Amaterasu retreated into her cave (the Ama-no-Iwato) after Susanoo did a bunch of awful things to her. One of the things Susanoo did was throw a flayed horse at her.
Now, I can see…
senshin
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What is the Japanese human origin myth?
How did Shinto (the traditional Japanese polytheistic religion) explain human origin?
Also, does it have a flood myth?
Andrew Johnson
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How are Japanese emperors related to Amaterasu?
Japanese Emperors are said to be direct descendants of the Sun-goddess Amaterasu. As far as I know, Amaterasu married the Moon-god, her brother, but later on, she left him. But they did not have any children. In that case, how did Amaterasu become…
user1385
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1 answer
Japanese Trickster Demons
Are there any trickster demons in Japanese mythology, I am aware of the somewhat tricksy Japanese god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, but are there any demons known for tricking people in Japanese mythology?
John Doe
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How did you survive my 100-step punch?
I remember from long ago a story about a martial artist, The Bully, who was renowned for his "100-step punch": if he lands the blow, you will die after taking 100 steps. One day another martial artist, The Hero, gets into a fight with The Bully,…
Mike Finch
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Which Kamuy are the 'bad ones'?
Chamberlain, in 'Aino folk-tales', reports the following tale, referred to as 'How it was settled who should rule the World', from the Ainus (Hokkaido, Japan):
When the Creator had finished creating this world of men, the good and the bad gods were…
plannapus
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How were sun-showers viewed?
A sun-shower is when it rains while the sun is shining.
In Japanese culture/Shinto Mythology, sun-showers were/are believed to be the result of two Kitsune (fox spirits) getting married. It was viewed as good luck.
Do any other cultures/Mythologies…
Andrew Johnson
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8
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Storybooks about Japanese Mythology?
I've been wanting to read a bit about japanese myths and legends, kamis and yokais, and the main reference I found was Handbook of Japanese Mythology, which seems quite complete. However, my understanding is that it has quite a "scholar" approach to…
LilianC
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What is the original story of Fox Spirit/Nine tails fox in India's myths?
I read in wikipedia and some mythology sites about the fox spirit that came from India but surprisingly they never mentioned any story in an Indian version.
I can only find stories from China - Daji, Japan - Kitsune, Korea - Kumiho
So is there an…
Nate M.
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Were the Nekomata bipedal?
The Japanese monster Nekōmata (猫また), which means "forked cat", was supposedly a two-tailed cat creature that lived in the mountains, but was originally a horribly mistreated house cat. I have read that they eat human flesh, and can perform…
Walter
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