Originally native to China, the flower known as Lycoris radiata (Red Spider Lily) spread to neighboring regions, including Japan. China was also actively exporting Buddhism – it… Read more “Lycoris radiata, the Japanese Hell Flower”
Category: Folklore and Fairytale
Cryptid Wars: Yeti Vs. Big Foot
First, I’m taking a Charles Fort stance here: I’m not advocating the existence of Yetis, Bigfeet, or any other so-called Cryptids (i.e. unidentified semi-mythic creatures, including the… Read more “Cryptid Wars: Yeti Vs. Big Foot”
Faceless: The Noppera-bō
Author’s note: I’ve added details of my own to this Japanese Folktale/Ghost Story, however the underlying plot elements (the lazy fisherman, his wife, the scared fisherman, the… Read more “Faceless: The Noppera-bō”
El Caganer: Gifts That Keep On Giving.
El Caganer (which roughly translates to “The Shitter”) is one of the top billed customs on those “Craziest Christmas Traditions Around the World” lists that circulate through social… Read more “El Caganer: Gifts That Keep On Giving.”
Such Is Life: Wild Ned Kelly
Not everyone likes this man. He killed more than his fair share of humans, mostly police. Hero? Maybe not. Legend? Arguably… * Here’s an opinion from a… Read more “Such Is Life: Wild Ned Kelly”
Post-Industrial Folklore Beasties: Knockers and Gremlins
We are a technological species; we may or may not be smarter than the other mammals still hanging on, but we’ve definitely left a physical mark on… Read more “Post-Industrial Folklore Beasties: Knockers and Gremlins”
The Bunny Girl: Chinese Moon Mythology
In 1969, as Apollo 11, the first manned mission to the moon was preparing to land, the following message was relayed to the crew from Houston Capcom:… Read more “The Bunny Girl: Chinese Moon Mythology”
Catfish and Earthquake Predictions; the Mythology of Namazu.
In Japanese mythology lives a giant catfish, Namazu. For thousands of years he swum around in the underground rivers and lakes that ran beneath the earth, but… Read more “Catfish and Earthquake Predictions; the Mythology of Namazu.”
Keep Marching: Ending the Myth of Binary Sexuality
C.G. Jung presented the world with many ideas, several of which are still provocative. At the same time, he was also a product of his times, and… Read more “Keep Marching: Ending the Myth of Binary Sexuality”
Dancing for the Queen of the Fairies: Doamna Zînelor and the Călușari
Romania is home to many a folk creature; vampires, werewolves, wizards and dragons have all been known to haunt the Romanian countryside. Not to mention fairies, and… Read more “Dancing for the Queen of the Fairies: Doamna Zînelor and the Călușari”
