Japans rich body of mythology and folklore continues to resonate in Japanese culture and provide fertile ground for literature, theatre, childrens stories, manga, anime, computer games, and film. Its images are spellbinding: from the creation myth of Izanagi and Izanami designed to explain the origins of the island of Japan, to the hundreds of kami (gods or spirits) and monsters populating the tales.
The tales gathered together here aim to give a cross section of this variety and imagery. They are drawn from myriad sources, including the important mytho-historical chronicles the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, the earliest of which dates back to the sixth century, alongside tales collected by folklorists in the early twentieth century from storytellers in remote rural villages. After an introduction to the background of Japanese religion, mythology, and its key themes and figures, sections range from Tales of the Gods & Creation and Heroes, Warriors & Adventure to Ghost Stories & Supernatural Creatures and Legends of the Sea.
From Susanoo and the Serpent and The Foxes Wedding to The Ghost of the Lotus Lily and The Goddess of Fuji, Japanese legends tell the story of the land, the nation, the people, their ancestors, and the divine heritage of the emperors of Japan. Often bloody and fantastic, frequently eerie and beautiful, the tales are a powerful, rewarding read, gathered together in this gorgeous hardcover volume.