Urban

Legends

Legends & Kwaidans

Yōkai

& Kami

History

SUBCATEGORY

Walking Along a Country Road in Japan, You Encounter the Ancient Dōsojin

Exploring Rural Paths One must leave behind the futuristic Tokyo, drive out of noisy Osaka, stray from the well-trodden paths of dignified Kyoto, and move past bullet trains, neon-lit districts,

Teru Teru Bōzu – Take the Rain Away and Bring the Sun… or Snip!

A Bald Monk, a Little Rascal, a Girl with a Broom While in Japan—especially near the end of the rainy season—one may notice white, ghost-like dolls hanging by the windows

Tōrō – The Stone Lanterns of Japan, Where Silence and the Memory of Centuries Burn

A Lantern That Is Not Meant to Illuminate There are certain things that everyone associates with Japan—regardless of whether we have ever been there or how much we know about

Tanuki Swinging His Coin Pouch – How Did Japanese Woodblock Artists See This Rascal?

Just when we thought nothing in Japanese folklore could surprise us anymore… Tanuki is a creature that holds a place in Japanese culture as honorable as it is… incomprehensible to

Shōjō – the yōkai who drank with style but knew nothing of tomorrow

A yōkai who brewed perfect sake On one of those intoxicated nights, when the moon reflects on the surface of sake in a small ochoko cup, and the sound of

Goddess Uzume dances naked and, with her sacred antics, saves us from sorrowful seriousness – Japanese mythology, how timely today

「もっと踊ってよ、アメノウズメさん腕ふり回し、汗かき散らし、首しならせて、踊って、踊って、もっと、もっと」 "Dance for us again, Ame no Uzume Swing your arms, shake off the sweat Tilt your head toward the heavens And dance, dance, again, again" —

Yōkai & Kami

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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