Imagine this: The place is Japan; the time is pre-10th century C.E., and you have a friend. A friend who’s a fisherman. Having a friend who’s a… Read more “Don’t Order the Fish: The Mermaid and the 800 Year-Old Nun”
Tag: japan
Bake-Danuki: Mocked by the Japanese Racoon Dogs
Our mythologies are littered with malicious spirits and malcontent, sometimes murderous monsters. This is understandable, because life can often be terrible; the horrors of the day revisit… Read more “Bake-Danuki: Mocked by the Japanese Racoon Dogs”
Waterfall Demon Princess: Raising the Bones of the Dead
Imagine this: your father was a powerful Samurai, who led an unsuccessful revolt against the Emperor. And so, in the (Western) year 939 C.E., the Emperor had… Read more “Waterfall Demon Princess: Raising the Bones of the Dead”
Japanese Time Travel: the Fisherman and the Turtle
Imagine this: You’re a peaceful fisherman, walking home after a day at sea. As you tread up the shoreline, you come across a group of children tormenting… Read more “Japanese Time Travel: the Fisherman and the Turtle”
We’ll Need a Priest, and a Plumber: Japanese Toilet Ghosts
There are some questions you never want to hear when you’re in a public restroom stall. “Got any spare toilet paper?” comes to mind. “Is your toilet… Read more “We’ll Need a Priest, and a Plumber: Japanese Toilet Ghosts”
An Account of Ancient Matters: A Shinto Creation Story
Izanagi (He Who Invites) and Izanami (She Who Invites) were the eighth pair of primeval Kami (deities) and were tasked with creating the world. They were given… Read more “An Account of Ancient Matters: A Shinto Creation Story”
Lycoris radiata, the Japanese Hell Flower
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”
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”
Rat Tales From Around the World
Rats have pretty bad press, none of which was helped by the Black Death. Still, where there are people, there are rats; likewise, where there are people,… Read more “Rat Tales From Around the World”
Myth Crafts 