Urban

Legends

Legends & Kwaidans

Yōkai

& Kami

History

SUBCATEGORY

CATEGORY

The Japanese Art of Fragrance in the Warrior Life and Death of the Samurai

“Five tones of scent, like five footsteps of the enemy.” I know—if I use the expression “the scent of a warrior,” I risk ridicule and evoking associations with a bad

The City of Nara – a Geometrically and Spiritually Designed Metropolis of Ancient Japan Long Before the Samurai

Ancient Japan Today’s Japan is a land of silent trains, tea-scented vending machines, autonomous drones, colossal cities, and deserted villages. But close your eyes for a moment and surrender to

The Invisible Woman – Life as a Samurai’s Wife

Solitude more as a role than a feeling At dawn, Hirata Orise’s home was bathed in twilight—the warmth of the fire had yet to dispel the chill of the night,

Katakiuchi – A License for Samurai Clan Revenge in the Era of the Edo Shogunate

First, Formalities – Then, Bloody Vengeance In feudal Japan, revenge was not an impulse. It was a duty, a ritual, and at the same time a cold legal construct deeply

“Hidden Villages” Kakurezato – Where Descendants of the Heike Clan Have Lived for Centuries, Forgotten by Time and Maps

山霧を重ね重ねて隠れ里 “Mountain mists, layer upon layer— and you shall not find the hidden village.” – Ōsaki Natsumi, 2011, Ugetsu (雨月) Japan comprises over 6,800 islands, with its four main islands—Honshu,

Machiya: What Were the Townhouses of Edo Like? – The Lives of Ordinary People During the Shogunate

"The Eel’s Bed" Many of us, when thinking of old Japan, can easily imagine the residences of the samurai — sprawling estates behind high walls, filled with meticulously tended gardens

「伝統は守るべきものではなく、自ら創造するものである。」

(Dentō wa mamoru beki mono de wa naku, mizukara sōzō suru mono de aru.)

„Tradition is not something to be merely preserved; it is something that must be recreated.”

— Yukio Mishima (三島由紀夫, 1925–1970)

History of Japon

History and Folklore

Each era (jidai), each tale, each legend is like a thread weaving the intricate fabric of national identity — from the pride of the samurai to stories whispered by the fire about mischievous yōkai and chilling yūrei. In Japanese storytelling, fear and wonder walk hand in hand, creating a mosaic where the worlds of kami and humans meet, where heroic deeds and tragic missteps, distant castles and urban alleys filled with ghosts of the past and living legends intertwine.

As we journey through Japanese history and folklore, we uncover not only past events, but also timeless questions about life, death, and humanity’s place in the universe. The extraordinarily rich history of the Japanese people, along with their vividly colorful mythology, offers an endless source of inspiration for both life and creativity.

Shadows of the Past: Thousands of Years of a Nation’s Turbulent History and Unbridled Mythic Imagination

妖怪と神

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"Strong Japanese Women"

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未開ソビエライ

An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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Ciechanów, Polska

dr.imyon@gmail.com

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