Frydman also examines kami in terms of their importance to nature and spaces in Japan. Japan consists of many thousands of temples and places of worship for a dizzying array of gods and local deities and spirits. These spaces are tied closely to the civic and social structures of Japan, and are important social spaces for the public, and therefore an integral part of Japanese culture. This ties in with modern expressions of Japanese culture that have become popular globally, from manga and anime, to kaiju films, products and concepts. The rich milieu of culture works throughout Japan's history contributes to the robustness of source materials for modern works, and plays a huge role in the creation and production of pieces of art, entertainment and other cultural touchstones that continue to play an important role in Japan's culture, and its cultural exports to the world. Anyone with an interest in manga will appreciate the chapter on ‘Living Kami and Divine Humans’ which looks at humans who have transitioned into kami to become gods who are worshipped. They’re historical people who actually existed. For example, Prince Shotoku was the first Japanese defender of the Buddhist faith. He still makes a significant contribution to modern culture and appears in several popular manga such as Hi izuru tokoro no tenshi (Prince of the Land of the Rising Sun, 1980-1984). Sugawara no Michizane, or Tenjin, also gets a mention. Michizane is popular with young students who pray for help with their exams. Minamoto no Yoshiie, or Hachiman, the patron god of warriors, is also touched upon. Even today, there are a lot of shrines dedicated to Hachiman in Japan.

What is good is that it does not overload you with too much information. Instead, it makes everything interesting to read and easier to process. It deserves to be on this list for giving extensive yet vivid accounts of several mind-blowing Japanese myths and legends. So, if you’re looking to read more books on mythology because you’ve been loving the movies and games inspired by Greek and Norse myths, or if you want more books on Greek mythology for children, here’s what you’re looking for! Japanese myths offer an allegorical narrative that gives so much hope to humans. It shows a ‘transformative power of storytelling. Legends, when set free, can transform a prince into a saint, and an exiled criminal into a prophet of the wilderness’. (p. 118) It’s just more comprehensive than most other non-academic books on the subject. The book uncovers the myths of various sects of Japanese culture, explores their roots, and offers context as to how they might be interpreted today. The Book of Yokai — Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore is our top choice for books on Japanese mythology.

Japanese Myths is a beautifully illustrated reference guide which covers the beliefs, customs and historical events that form the basis of Japanese society, and this is what makes it worth purchasing beyond a separate collection of translated myths. Due to its lovely presentation, this book would make a lovely gift for someone with a developing interest in Japan. There are about eight million gods and ancient deities in Japanese mythology. And this book captures it all beautifully without making it seem too vast and complex.

Sixteen stories, each inspired by a single ghost or monster of Japanese folklore, set in modern-day Japan and with a decidedly feminist twist. I ask you: what more could one ask for in a collection of short stories?People and countries need their myths for a lot of different reasons. One to explain things, where they came from, where they are going and why things are the way they are. Stories from the past explain the reasonings of today. People might treat each other in good or bad ways depending on the myths of their country. Look at America, a young country whose recent history is not that far away, and yet the 1950's in the United States is looked at as an Eden, thought it was far from it. Myths are as encoded in DNA as are the proteins that give us our traits. For good and for bad. To understand a people, it helps to know where they came from. The fact that stories are so good it only a plus. Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods Demons and Legends by Melanie Clegg looks at the origin tales of the Japanese people and the Ainu natives and tells how the the land, the people and the cultures were developed and formed, by the stories they share. The Yokai were the most popular thing in ancient times in Japan and now they are making a return in Japanese anime and manga series as everyone loves to read and watch these creatures that come in all shapes and sizes. Thorough Research Japan features cats much more heavily, and the resulting characters are fascinating. Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan explores these feline mythological figures in detail, covering their significance and providing beautiful paintings and other visual representations. Japanese ghosts and monsters (yokai) are more popular than ever, and there are some fantastic books to read if you’re a fan of the huge and terrifying world of Japanese mythology.

As books on mythology go, this one isn’t concerned with gods and monsters. It is a Norse legend about war, adventure, and conquest. It is about people — vikings, specifically. Overall, this book is a wonderful guide to an enduring fascination with stories and the supernatural in Japan. Frydman’s explanations prove mythology acts as a compass to guide past, present and future generations.Vinland Saga is an incredible historical epic with unforgettable Viking characters, fuelled by anger, vengeance, and hubris. What yōkai are actually understood to be as compared/in relation to broader kami could've been made a bit clearer