Mythology and Folklore

Japan has many different myths and folktales central to its cultural and religious heritage. The main story one will find in almost all sources is Japan’s creation myth, the story of Izanami and Izanagi. Basically the story goes that in the beginning, shortly after the world was created out of chaos, the primal parents, Izanami (female) and Izanagi (male), were told to create Japan. Together the two stood on the “Floating Bridge of Heaven,” and Izanagi began to stir the sea below with a heavenly jeweled spear. He lifted the spear and from the droplets, islands formed. Izanami and Izanagi descended from the heavens to these islands and decided to live there. From their union, Izanami gave birth to Japan and the other gods and goddesses.

Unfortunately, another myth stems out of this, as when Izanami was giving birth to the fire god, Kagutsuchi, she was badly burned and died, descending to Yomi, the world of the dead. Heartbroken, Izanagi tried to save her, but by the time he found her, she’d already eaten fruit from the land of the dead and had become a demon herself. He escaped Yomi, blocking the entrance, and from his purification rituals, three of the most famous gods and goddess were born: Amaterasu, the sun goddess, whom they believe the imperial family was descended from, Tsukiyomi, the moon god, and Susano-wo, the storm god of the sea. Amaterasu is often considered the most important of the Japanese pantheon, as after her birth, Izanagi gave her control of the heavens.

His children had their own myths, most notably being what happened to Susano-wo shortly after his birth. Susano-wo angered Izanagi, because rather than rule the seas, he said he wanted to be with his mother in Yomi, so Izanagi banished him. Before he left, though, he wanted to say goodbye to his sister, Amaterasu. However, she thought he meant to take her kingdom, so she prepared for war. He told her that it wasn’t his intention, though he did challenge her to a contest. The goal was to prove who was more powerful, by who could create male deities. Susano-wo wins the contest and celebrates by wreaking havoc on the world. His final act is to throw a skinned horse into his sister’s weaving hall, and in her anger and terror, she flees into a cave and refuses to leave. This deprives the world of the sun, so the good gods and goddesses realized they had to bring her out to bring light back to the world. They devised a plan, setting a mirror outside the cave. A goddess started to dance, causing the other gods and goddesses to laugh. In her curiosity, Amaterasu comes out, and while she’s mesmerized by her reflection, the others block the cave, which is why you often see mirrors and ropes as Shinto holy objects.

In addition to these gods, there are also important gods connected to the Buddhist traditions that came to Japan. Hachiman is often seen as the Japanese god of war and peace, but Buddhists also view him as a bosatsu, the Japanese word for a bodhisattva, or one who denied their own entrance into nirvana to stay and save humanity. Other bosatsus include Amida, called the “Buddha of Boundless Light,” whose name was derived from the Buddha, Amitabha. Also one of the most famous bosatsus we will actually see a statue of at Hase Dera Temple is Kannon, the goddess of mercy. Her name derives from another popular bodhisattva, Kwan Yin in China and Avalokiteshvara in India.

Lastly, there are also several creatures that appear in Japanese mythology, which I’ll list here:

-          Tanuki: a spirit-creature similar to a mischievous raccoon or badger; can change into a human or a flask of sake

-          Kappa: race of monkey-like demons that lure humans and other creatures into ponds and rivers to feed on them; can also be bargained/reasoned with or tricked; also fond of cucumbers

-          Oni: giant horned demons

-          Tengu: part human, part bird creatures

"Asakusa Kaminarimon." Japan Travel. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2015. <http://en.japantravel.com/view/asakusa-kaminarimon>.

Storm, Rachel. Myths & Legends of India, Egypt, China & Japan: The Mythology of the East: The Fabulous Stories of Heroes, Gods and Warriors of Ancient Egypt and Asia. Ed. Helen Sudell. London: Lorenz, 2007. Print.

"Tanuki." Encyclopedia Mythica Online. Encyclopedia Mythica, 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2015. <http://www.pantheon.org/articles/t/tanuki.html>.

-Brianna B. 2015