Japanese Mythology ML GW AH

Japanese
Mythology

Morgan Lewellen, Grace Wilson,
and Andrew Haskins

Background on Japanese Mythology (Cultural Values)

Japanese myths were usually based off of the gods and beliefs of Shintoism. Shinto

believes that there is a spirit or kami in every material thing whether it be an animal or a
piece of paper. Compassion and value towards these spirits was vital to the Japanese
people. Spiritual purity was another concept in Shintoism that is important. Warding off
evil spirits and requesting assistance from holy men when someone was ill or weak was
common. Family is viewed as highly important and men were dominant over women in
Japanese society. Modest character traits such as humility, patience, and selflessness
were viewed as respectable qualities in a person.

Symbols and Motifs

Japanese people explained natural occurrences with gods being angry or an evil spirit
causing trouble as a reason. A great example would be Tamamo, the Fox Maiden,
causing natural disaster to a nearby village when she hides behind a stone. Many
Japanese symbols were items in or produced by nature. Stones represented strength
and endurance, peaches were viewed as a remover of misfortune, and a bird singing
could represent a message from the gods. One popular Japanese symbol is the
Maneki-Neko, the Lucky Cat.

General Japanese Character Types

Many Japanese myths showcase a young warrior or samurai completing a quest or
task. They could be seen as heroes or rebels depending on the myth. Many elderly
men and women in stories are caretakers and/or mother and father figures,
evident in the story of Momotaro, the Peach Boy. Tricksters and Villains in Japanese
mythology were either shrewd gods or yokai, spirits and monsters that plague the
land with troubles and impurity. Animals were most likely faithful companions to a

protagonist.

Common Narrative Patterns

In Japanese mythology, the narrative patterns usually have a quest or task that is done
in each story or good being rewarded and evil being punished. If these stories don’t
have these themes, they will have something related to someone having done
something that brings down their morale. Not all the time is there bad things being
done in these stories. You can have people get happy endings or they could get
something brought to them that makes them happy.

Some Japanese folklore you should check out

● Momotaro, the Peach Boy
● The Star Lovers
● The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
● The Land of Yomi
● The Moon Maiden
● The White Hare and the Crocodile
● The Two Frogs
● A Woman and The Bell of Miidera