Japanese mythology is a combination of folk legends and traditions, which, for the most part, are based on Buddhist and Shinto teachings.

Shinto features many kami - spirits and gods for which the mythology of the land of the rising sun is famous.

Myths and legends of Japan

Gods of Japanese mythology

The first gods were Izanagi - the god of life and creation, and the goddess Izanami. They lived high in the sky on a floating bridge, and, deciding to find out if there was land under it, they lowered Amanonuhoko's naginata (Japanese halberd) down. There was no land there, and the naginata sank into the ocean, and when it was pulled out, the drops that flowed down the blade, falling onto the water, hardened and formed land - Onogoro Island.

The gods decided to come down and live on the island. Soon they got married and from them the rest of the islands of the Japanese archipelago, as well as a large number of other gods, were born. At the end, the fire god Kagutsuchi is born and cripples Izanami. The sick Izanami is sent away from the world to the underground kingdom of Yomi.

The Legend of Yomi

Izanagi went after Izanami in the hope of saving her. There was impenetrable darkness in Yomi, but the god of life still found his beloved. But when Izanagi lit the torch, he saw that the kingdom of the dead had turned his once beautiful wife into an ugly monster. Frightened, Izanagi tells his wife that their marriage is over and runs away. Izanami becomes furious at her husband’s act and turns into death, which to this day takes people’s lives.

Myths of ancient Japan

Returning from Yomi, Izanagi decided to wash away the filth of the underground monastery and began to take off his clothes and jewelry. Jewels and drops from ablutions fell to the ground and new gods appeared from them:

Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun, sky and agriculture. She is the most famous goddess of Japanese myths, according to them, emperors descended from her.

Tsukuyomi is the god of the moon and night.

Susanoo is the lord of the ocean, snow, ice and storms.

Susanoo had a bad character, he was jealous of his sister Amaterasu, constantly insulted her and tried to set her up. Izanagi got tired of Susanoo's antics and sent his son to Yomi. Before exile, Susanoo visited heavenly kingdom Takamanohara to say goodbye to Amaterasu.

- Why did you come here? - asked Amaterasu.

“To say goodbye to you, sister,” Susanoo answered her.

Amaterasu did not believe her brother and arranged a test to test Susanoo's sincerity. The ocean god was supposed to create gods more perfect than the gods of Amaterasu. Susanoo gave birth to five beautiful gods from his sister's necklace. Overjoyed, he got drunk, destroyed the irrigation canals, shit in the refectory and began throwing his feces in all directions. In the end, he skinned the horse and threw the corpse into his sister’s room. Amaterasu was very frightened and ran away from Susanoo into the dungeon in horror, as a result of which the sun disappeared and darkness fell.

In order to return the sun to the world, the gods decided to lure Amaterasu out by cunning and invited the goddess of entertainment and dawn, Ame-no-uzume-no. With a funny dance, she amused the gods, at whose laughter Amaterasu looked out. She asked why they were laughing, and the gods replied that they had met a more noble and beautiful goddess than Amaterasu. To confirm their words, they showed Amaterasu her reflection in the mirror. Bewildered, Amaterasu left the dungeon, and the world was again illuminated by sunlight. The gods expelled Susanoo from the divine monastery.

Amaterasu emerges from the cave in surprise

Descending from heaven, the sea god met an elderly couple. In sobs, they told him that the eight-headed dragon Yamata no Orochi had taken and eaten their daughters, and would soon come for the only one left - the beautiful Kushinada-hime.

Susanoo said that he would kill the dragon if the girl became his wife. Arriving at the monster, he gave it sake to drink and cut off all eight heads in turn, and from the tail he created the divine sword Kusanagi and brought it as a sign of apology to Amaterasu.

Susanoo married the girl he saved from the monster, and continued to be the ruler of the ocean and storms, from time to time allowing himself reckless tomfoolery that made the earth shake.

Susanoo drinks the dragon sake

Japanese mythology video

The video talks about two of the most known gods folklore of the land of the rising sun.

Article genre - Myths of Japan

Ajisikitaka-hikone no kami (Youth-High God of Plows)- son of the god Oo-kuninushi and the goddess Takiri-bime.

Amaterasu oo-mi-kami(Sun Goddess). She was also known as "The Great Sacred Goddess Shining in the Sky" is the eldest daughter of the god Izanagi, the Sun Goddess, according to Japanese mythology - the ancestor of the dynasty of Japanese emperors.

Ame-no-hohi-no kami(Heavenly Rice Ear God) is a god born of Susanoo.

Amida(Sanskrit. Amitabha) - the ruler of the Western Paradise, who opens the gates of salvation to believers. The most revered deity in some Buddhist sects.

Ame-no-wakahiko(Heavenly Young Youth) - the son of the god Amatsukunitama no kami, the Heavenly God-Spirit of the Country.

Ashinazuchi(Elder Stroking Feet) - god, father of Kusinadahime, wife of Susanoo.

Bimbogami- god of poverty.

Bishamon-ten- one of the seven gods of happiness. The guardian of the northern direction in the Buddhist model of the world is depicted in the guise of a warrior dressed in samurai armor.

Buddha- Indian prince Siddhartha from the Shakya family (Sakyas), according to Buddhists, who achieved enlightenment (i.e., became Buddha - enlightened) after persistently searching for ways to liberate himself from the suffering that he experienced while in the real earthly world.

Benzai-ten- one of the seven gods of happiness. Goddess of music, eloquence, wealth of wisdom and water. She is depicted with a biwa in her hands, and sometimes with a coiled snake in a high hairstyle, which is associated with the ancient cult of the White Snake - the mistress of river waters.

Eight Ugly Women of Yomi Country- eight monsters in female form.

Daikoku-ten- revered as one of the seven gods of happiness - the most popular Shinto deities. God of wealth and luck. He is usually depicted as a very fat man with a large belly. With one hand he supports a bag of rice thrown over his shoulder, and with the other he holds a magic mallet, which allows him not only to break grains of rice, but also to work miracles.

Daruma- Buddhist deity. Depicted as a toy made of wood or papier-mâché. The shape resembles a watermelon (consists of a body that is not divided into parts). Most often it is painted red, and instead of eyes there are white spots. Having made a wish, they sketch one eye; if it comes true, they sketch the second.

Jizo- god, protector of people; protector of children and travelers. He also shows mercy to the souls of sinners in hell. Stone statues of him are often placed along the road.

Jimmu-tenno(ancient Japanese, “ruler Jimmu”) is the mythological ruler of Japan, whose accession to the throne is officially considered the beginning of the creation of the Japanese state (660 BC).

Jurojin- one of the seven gods of happiness. God of longevity. Depicted as an old man with a gray beard.

Iwanaga-hime(Maiden of the Longevity of the Rocks) - the elder sister of the god Niniga, the Youth God of Abundance of Rice Ears.

Izanagi and Izanami(God Drawing to Himself and Goddess Drawing to Himself) - the first people and the first Shinto gods. Brother and sister, husband and wife. They gave birth to everything living and existing. Amaterasu, Susanoo and Tsukiyumi are children born from the head of the god Izanagi after the departure of the goddess Izanami to the Land of Darkness.

Inari- a Shinto deity, initially the patron of agriculture, later - a deity who brings good luck in crafts and trade. The cult of the fox is associated with the god Inari, which was considered his messenger or even incarnation.

Indra- Buddhist deity - lord of the Tori sky, the second celestial world in the “sphere of desires.”

Kagutsuchi no kami(God-Spirit of Fire) - A fire deity born of Izanami and causing her death.

Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Mikoto(Youth God Iware of Divine Yamato) - This deity is also known as "Emperor Jimmu" - the legendary first emperor of Japan.

Kannon- goddess of mercy or compassion. In Japan it has other names and is depicted depending on the name. For example: Thousand-armed Kannon, Merciful Kannon, Eleven-faced Kannon, etc. Deity of the Buddhist pantheon.

Kishibojin- one of the female Buddhist deities who had many children.

Kojin- deity of the kitchen. Worn dolls are offered to this deity.

Kompira- Shinto shrine in Kagawa Prefecture (Shikoku Island). The temple was founded in the 11th century and originally belonged to the Buddhist-Shinto deity Kompira, the generous patron of fishermen and sailors.

Ko-no-hana-no-sakuya-bime(Maiden of Flowers Blossoming on Trees) - wife of the god Niniga, the Youth God of Abundance of Rice Ears.

Kuni no tokotachi no kami(God Eternally Established on Earth) is one of the first deities to appear on Takama no hara (Plain of High Heaven).

Kushinada-hime(Crest Maiden from Inad) - goddess, wife of Susanoo.

Monju- a student of Shakyamuni (Buddha), known for his wisdom. Shown by left hand Shakyamuni riding a lion.

Murakumo no Tsurugi(Heavenly Sword of Clouds) is a sword, one of the most important sacred objects, appearing in Japanese legends and myths. This is one of the three sacred imperial regalia, which, together with the magatama and the mirror, the goddess Amaterasu passes on to her descendant, the god Ninigi, upon his descent to earth.

Ninigi (Youth God of Abundance of Rice Ears)- deity, grandson of the goddess Amaterasu.

Onogorodwinter(Frozen Island) is a mythical island created by the gods Izanagi and Izanami before other islands.

Oo-yama-tsumi-no-kami(God-Spirit of the Great Mountains) is a deity born of Izanagi and Izanami.

Pindola- according to Buddhist legend, one of the closest disciples of Buddha.

Raiden- god of thunder and lightning. Usually depicted surrounded by drums (taiko) and beating them. Thus he creates thunder.

Raitaro- son of the thunder god.

Ryujin- The dragon is the god of the seas, the god of the water element, and also symbolizes supreme power.

Shio-tsuchi no kami(God-Spirit of Sea Waters, or God-Spirit of Sea Routes).

Shitateru-hime(Dev-Below Luminous Goddess) - goddess, daughter of Oo-kuninushi, God-Ruler of the Great Country, and Takiri-bime, Maiden-Goddess of the Mist.

Country of Yomi no Kuni(Country of the Yellow Spring) - the underground kingdom, the Land of the Dead.

Sumiyoshi- Shinto god, lord of the sea waves, patron of sailors. The famous Shinto shrine dedicated to his cult is located on the coast of Sumiyoshi, in Osaka.

Susanoo no Mikoto(Impetitive God-Husband) - a deity born of Izanagi from drops of water that washed his nose during purification upon his return from Yomi no kuni (Land of the Dead).

Sengen- goddess of Mount Fuji. She is also known as Ko-nohana-no-sakuya-bime (Maiden of Flowers Blossoming on Trees) - the wife of the god Ninigi, the Youth God of Abundance of Rice Ears.

Tai(Red Maiden) - translated from Japanese, the word “tai” means a type of sea bass.

Ask the first person you meet: “What Japanese monsters do you know?” Most of the time you will hear: “Godzilla, Pikachu and Tamagotchi.” This is still a good result, because Russian fairy-tale creatures, through the eyes of the average Japanese, are something between a matryoshka, Cheburashka and a drunken polar bear. But Russian and Japanese cultures can boast of such ancient menageries that some American Paul Bunyan never even dreamed of.
The World of Fantasy has already taken a walk along unknown paths Slavic myths, having studied the traces of unprecedented animals. Today we will travel to the opposite side of the planet and see what bizarre creatures live under the rays of the rising sun.

Spirited Away

You can't understand Japanese folklore without a bottle of sake. It was formed thanks to the centuries-old “cooperation” of Chinese Buddhism and national Shintoism- a unique process during which the principles of one religion were complemented by the commandments of another.

Such syncretism gave rise to an amazing interweaving of myths: Buddhist deities preached Shintoism, and primitive Shinto magic did not at all contradict the complex Buddhist picture of the world. To understand the uniqueness of this phenomenon, it is enough to imagine the idol of Perun in the altar of a modern Orthodox church.

Features of the national worldview, multiplied by Buddhist mysticism and remnants primitive beliefs, made Japanese monsters completely different from their Western “colleagues”. Ghosts settled next to people and animals under the red sun - something like fairies in their classical European understanding, but unlike each other and successfully replacing all the chimeras invented by humanity.

Japanese ghosts are not restless souls of the dead or clots of protoplasm from parallel worlds. The concept of obake, derived from the verb bakeru - to transform, to transform, is most often applied to them. Obake may well be creatures of flesh and blood. The main thing about them is that these “ghosts” turn from one thing to another, changing symbols and meanings, and also disrupting the natural course of things.

Yokai and Samurai (artist Aotoshi Matsui).

Supernatural horror in Japanese culture is focused not on some otherworldly objects, but on the irrational modification of familiar forms. A skeleton in a white shroud, glowing eyes in the dark and an eerie howl in a cemetery will frighten a Japanese much less than a crumpled paper lantern or strange television interference. The basis for such fears is a simple (if not primitive) picture of the world. Similar “horror stories” about a black hand or a white sheet were once in great demand in the Ogonyok magazine.

From obake, an independent class of ghosts is sometimes distinguished - yokai (Japanese folklore terminology is very confusing and there is simply no single classification). Their main feature is extraordinary appearance(one eye, long neck, etc.). Yokai resemble Russian brownies or goblins. These creatures live in certain area and are not looking for a meeting with a person. Yokai can be either friendly or malicious. They are associated with fire and the northeast. In winter, encounters with evil spirits are rare.

In the vastness of Japan you can also find quite normal ghosts of yurei - souls deprived of peace. Shintoism teaches that after death the soul waits for the necessary rituals to be performed on the body, after which it safely departs for the next world. The deceased spirit can meet living relatives once a year - in July, during the Bon holiday.
But if a person dies a violent death, commits suicide, or if the rituals over his body are performed incorrectly, the soul turns into a yurei and gains the opportunity to penetrate the world of the living. Yurei can be found at the place of his death, but you should not strive for this, because the main occupation of the restless ghosts is revenge.

Most yurei are love-stricken women. Initially, the Japanese believed that their appearance was indistinguishable from their lifetime, but soon traditions began to change, and instead of a face, the ghostly lady could have a huge eye.

Today the appearance of yurei is standardized. They are dressed in a white funeral kimono. The hair is jet black, long (supposed to grow after death) and flowing over the face. The arms hang helplessly down, instead of legs there is emptiness (in the Kabuki theater actors are suspended on ropes), and otherworldly lights curl next to the ghost.

Sadako ("The Ring") Kayako ("Malice")

The most famous yurei in the West are Sadako (“Ring”) and Kayako (“Anger”).

In the animal world

As far as common animals are concerned, Japanese fairy tales are very similar to European ones. “Don’t kill me, I’ll be useful to you,” said animals in different parts of the planet. The universal commandment “thou shalt not kill” was especially relevant for Buddhism. As a reward for mercy towards animals main character received wealth or magical abilities. Little frogs rushed to the aid of their saviors, orphaned ducks convinced the evil hunter to give up his craft - after all, it is unknown who he will be reborn into in his next life.

In the shade of sakura

Azuki-arai. In Asia, adzuki beans were always boiled with sugar and were a kind of candy.

Abumi-guchi: When a warrior died in battle, the stirrups from his horse were sometimes left on the battlefield. There they came to life, turning into a strange furry creature, forever searching for its missing owner.

Abura-akago: the souls of merchants who, during their lifetime, sold oil stolen from lamps at roadside shrines. They fly into the room like clots of fire and turn into a baby who sucks all the oil out of the lamp, after which they fly away.

: a little old man or woman washing beans in mountain streams. Sings threatening songs (“Should I wash beans or eat someone?”), but is actually shy and harmless.

Aka-name: “licking dirt” appears in those baths that have not been cleaned for a long time. As its name suggests, it feeds on unsanitary conditions. Its appearance quickly instills in people the habit of cleaning up after themselves in washrooms. His relative - the long-legged tenyo-name - licks the dirty ceilings.

Aka-name. The tongue will take you to the bathroom.

Ama-no-zako: Born from the rage of the thunder god Susanoo. Ugly, has strong teeth that bite through steel. Can fly quickly over long distances.

Ama-no-zaku: ancient demon stubbornness and vice. Reads people's thoughts, makes them act in such a way that their plans are accomplished exactly the opposite. In one of the fairy tales, he ate a princess, put on her skin and tried to get married in this form, but was exposed and killed.

Ame-furi-kozo: spirit of rain. Appears in the form of a child covered with an old umbrella and carrying a paper lantern in his hands. Loves to splash in puddles. Harmless.

Ami-kiri: There are a lot of mosquitoes and ghosts in Japan in summer. One of them, looking like a cross between a bird, a snake and a lobster, loves to tear up mosquito nets, as well as fishing gear and drying clothes.

Ao-andon: In the Edo era, people would often gather in a room, light a large blue lantern with a hundred candles, and start telling each other horror stories. At the end of each of them, one candle was extinguished. After the hundredth story, the light went out completely and ao-andon appeared.

Ao-bozu: a short cyclops who lives in young wheat and drags children there.

Ao-niobo: An ogress who lives in the ruins of the imperial palace. During her lifetime she was a maid of honor. Distinguished by black teeth and shaved eyebrows.

Ao-sagi-bi: analogue of the Firebird: a heron with fiery eyes and white luminous feathers.

Asi-magari: A ghostly raccoon dog. At night, it wraps its tail around the legs of travelers. Her fur feels like raw cotton.

Ayakashi: a sea serpent about two kilometers long. Sometimes it floats over boats, forming an arch with its body. This can last for several days, during which the people in the boat are busy scooping out the mucus that oozes profusely from the monster.

Baku: Chinese chimera with the body of a bear, the trunk of an elephant, the eyes of a rhinoceros, the tail of a cow, the paws of a tiger and a spotted skin. Feeds on dreams. If you see a bad dream, you should call on the tank, and it will absorb it along with all the foreshadowed troubles.

Bake-zori: Old sandalwood that has not been well cared for. Runs around the house and sings stupid songs.

Bake-kujira: The skeleton of a whale, accompanied by strange fish and ominous birds. Invulnerable to harpoons.

Bake-neko: If a cat is fed in the same place for 13 years, it will turn into a bloodthirsty werewolf. Bake-neko can be so huge that it will not fit into the house, but instead will rummage around with its paws, looking for people like mice in a hole. Sometimes a werewolf takes on the appearance of a human.

There is a well-known story about how a cat disappeared in one house. At the same time, the behavior of the mother of the family began to change: she avoided people and ate, closing herself in the room. When the household decided to spy on her, they discovered a creepy humanoid monster. The owner of the house killed him, and a day later she again turned into the missing cat. Under the tatami on the floor, the mother's bones were found, gnawed clean.

Cats in Japan were associated with death. Therefore, people were very suspicious of cats of deceased owners. These animals could become kasa, stealing corpses, or two-tailed nekomata, playing with dead bodies like dolls. To avoid such a disaster, kittens need to have their tails docked (so that they do not fork), and the deceased's cat should be securely locked up.

The image of a cat was not always gloomy. Porcelain maneki-neko figurines bring success to store owners. During a thunderstorm, the cat led the rich man away from the tree that was about to be struck by lightning, after which he began to patronize the temple. One geisha's cat did not allow her owner into the restroom where the snake was hiding. Finally, cats often took the form of people and became the wives of single men or the children of childless couples.

Basan. It was found in the territory of modern Ehime Prefecture.

Basan: overgrown rooster. At night he walks the streets and makes a strange noise - something like “bass-bass”. People look out of their houses, but find no one. Can breathe fire, but is generally harmless.

Betobeto-san: when you walk down the street at night and hear footsteps behind you, but there is no one behind you, say: “Betobeto-san, please come in!” The ghost will leave and will no longer stomp behind you.

Gyuki (yushi-oni): A bull-like chimera that lives in waterfalls and ponds. Attacks people by drinking their shadows. After this, the victims begin to get sick and soon die. Gyuki's steps are silent. Having identified a victim, he will pursue it to the ends of the Earth. There is only one way to get rid of the monster - by repeating the paradoxical phrase: “Leaves drown, stones float, cows neigh, horses moo.” Sometimes gyuki takes the form of a beautiful woman.

Jore-gumo: during the day she looks like a pretty girl, and at night she turns into a spider-like monster, laying webs on people.

Jubokko: Trees growing on battlefields soon become accustomed to human blood, becoming predators. They catch travelers with branches and suck them dry.

Doro-ta-bo: the ghost of a peasant who spent his entire life cultivating his piece of land. After the death of the owner, the lazy son abandoned the plot, and it was soon sold. The father's spirit regularly rises from the ground and demands that the field be returned to him.

Inu-gami: if you tie a hungry dog, put a bowl of food in front of it so that it cannot reach it, and when the animal reaches the highest point of frenzy, cut off its head, you will get inugami - cruel spirit, which you can set against your enemies. Inu-gami is very dangerous and can attack its owner.

Inu-gami. In one legend, a dog's head was sawed off with a dull bamboo saw.

Ippon-datara: The spirit of a blacksmith with one leg and one eye.

Isonade: giant fish. It knocks sailors into the water with its tail and devours them.

Ittan-momen: At first glance, it appears to be a long piece of white material floating in the night sky. It may not come to a second glance, since this spirit likes to silently fall on a person, wrap itself around his neck and strangle him.

Itsumaden: When a person dies of hunger, he turns into a huge fire-breathing bird with a snake tail. This spirit haunts those who refused him food during life.

Kama-itachi: If you are caught in a storm and then find strange cuts on your body, this is the work of a kama-itachi, a storm ermine with long claws.

Kameosa: An old sake bottle that magically produces alcohol.

Kami-kiri: a spirit with claws that attacks people in bathrooms and cuts off their hair at the root. Sometimes in this way he tries to prevent the marriage of a person with an animal or spirit.

Kappa (kasambo): One of the most common Japanese perfumes. Many-sided, but always has a recess with water on its head, where all of it is hidden Magic force. People often trick the kappa by bowing and forcing him to make a return bow that spills water. Lives in water, loves cucumbers. It is recommended not to eat them before swimming, otherwise the kappa may smell the treat and drag you to the bottom. Naughty children are taught to bow under the pretext that it is protection from the mouth guard.

Kijimuna: good tree spirits. There is only one thing that can make them angry - an octopus.

Kirin: sacred dragon. It differs from the Chinese qi-lin only in that it has three toes instead of five on its paws.

Kitsune: a werefox, a popular character in romantic fairy tales. Often turns into a girl and starts families with people. Loves to steal and cheat. As foxes age, they grow additional tails (their number can reach up to nine). Kitsune magic does not affect Taoist monks.

You can identify a kitsune by its shadow - it always has the outline of a fox.

• The Japanese believe that best chance a cat has to become a werewolf. That is why she should not be allowed to dance, thus demonstrating magical power.
• The highest chances of meeting a ghost in Japan are between 2 and 3 am in the summer, when the border between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest.
• "Kitsune" means either "always red-haired" or "come to the bedroom." Foxes' favorite food is tofu. A person who has gotten rid of his obsession with the fox (penetrating under his fingernails or through his breasts) will have an aversion to tofu for the rest of his life.
• Rain falling in bright sunshine is called a “kitsune wedding” in Japan.

Ko-dama: spirit of an old tree. Likes to repeat human words. It is because of the ko-dam that the echo appears in the forest.

Ko-dama (anime "Princess Mononoke").

Konaki-diji: Small child crying in the forest. If someone picks him up, Konaki-diji begins to rapidly gain weight and crushes his savior.

Karakara-she: an ugly mockingbird that chases people and torments them with its laughter.

Lidar elbows: a giant of incredible size. His footprints became lakes. He often moved mountains from place to place.

Namahage- “Santa Claus is the opposite.” Every New Year he goes from house to house and asks if there are naughty children here. Little Japanese who believe in Namahage panic and hide, and their parents convince the demon that their children are good, after which they pour him one hundred grams of sake.

Ningyo: The Japanese mermaid is a hybrid of a monkey and a carp. The meat is very tasty. Having tasted it, you can extend your life for many hundreds of years. If a ningyo cries, it will turn into a human.

Noppera-bo (noperapon): A faceless spirit that frightens people.

Nuri-botoke: if you don’t take good care of your home Buddhist altar, then there will be a ghost in it that looks like a black Buddha with a fish tail and protruding eyes. Every time a careless believer wants to pray, he will be greeted by this monster.

They(emphasis on o): colorful demons - something like European trolls or ogres. Aggressive and angry. They fight with iron clubs. They are scared off by the smell of burnt sardines, but today in Japan it is customary to do this by tossing beans (which for some reason they hate), saying: “They go away, happiness comes!”).

Raiden's animal. Represents ball lightning. He likes to hide in people's belly buttons, which is why the superstitious Japanese sleep on their stomachs during thunderstorms.

Rokuro-kubi: ordinary women who, for some reason, underwent a partial ghostly transformation. At night, their necks begin to grow and their heads crawl around the house, doing all sorts of nasty things. Rokuro-kubi is unlucky in love - after all, men are very nervous about such night walks.

Sagari: A horse's head rattling tree branches. If you met her, you could get sick (probably with a stutter).

Sazae-oni: old snails that have turned into evil spirits. They can turn into beautiful women. There is a well-known story when pirates rescued a drowned beauty. She happily gave herself to each of them. It was soon discovered that the men's scrotums were missing. Sazae-oni proposed a deal: the pirates would give her all their gold, and the snail would return their scrotums (the Japanese sometimes call this organ “golden balls,” so the exchange was equal).

Sirime: exhibitionist ghost. He catches up with people, takes off his pants and turns his back to them. An eye pokes out from there, after which spectators usually faint.

Soyo: cheerful alcoholic ghosts. Harmless.

Sune-kosuri: furry animals that throw themselves at the feet of rushing people and make them stumble.

Ta-naga: long-armed people of Japan, who entered into symbiosis with asi-naga(long-legged people). The first sat on the shoulders of the second and began to live together as a single organism. Nowadays you can no longer see these giants.

Tanuki: Were-badgers (or raccoon dogs) that bring happiness. The amount of happiness is directly proportional to the size of a badger's scrotum. Tanuki know how to inflate it to incredible sizes (sleep on it, shelter from the rain with it), or even turn this part of the body into a house. The only way to verify the authenticity of a badger's home is to drop a burning coal on the floor. True, after this act you will no longer see happiness.

Tengu: winged werewolves. Despite the comical nose, like Pinocchio, they are extremely powerful and dangerous. A long time ago they taught people martial arts. If a person suffering from amnesia emerges from the forest, it means that he has been kidnapped by a tengu.

Futa-kushi-onna: An ever-hungry ghost of a woman with an extra mouth on the back of her head, a Japanese version of Tantalus. The second mouth spews curse words and uses its hair as tentacles, stealing food from the woman. According to one legend, this curse was imposed on an evil stepmother who deprived her adopted children of food.

Haku-taku (bai-ze): wise and kind creature with nine eyes and six horns. Speaks human speech. One day, Bai Ze was captured by the great Emperor Huang Di and, in exchange for freedom, told him all the ins and outs about his relatives (11,520 types of magical creatures). The emperor ordered the testimony to be recorded, but, unfortunately, this bestiary has not reached our time.

Hari-onago: an ogress with a powerful head of “living” hair, each of which ends in a sharp hook. Lives on roads. Having met a traveler, he laughs merrily. If someone laughs in response, Hari-onago uses his hair.

Hito-dama: particles of a person’s soul leaving his body shortly before death in the form of clots of flame. They fly away not far and fall to the ground, leaving a slimy trail.

Hitotsume-kozo: a ghost in the guise of a little ten-year-old boy - bald and one-eyed. Harmless, but playful. Loves to scare people. Sometimes it can cause illness. To ward off this spirit, you need to hang a basket near the door. Seeing many holes in it, the little Cyclops will mistake them for eyes and run away, ashamed that he only has one.

Hoko: spirit of camphor tree. Looks like a dog with a human face. Ancient chronicles claim that if you cut down a camphor tree, a hoko will emerge from its trunk, which can be roasted and eaten. Its meat is very tasty. Eating ghosts is a unique feature of Japanese mythology.

Yuki-ona: The "snow queen" of Japan is a pale lady who lives in the snow and freezes people with her icy breath. In erotic stories, Yuki-she freezes people with a kiss, or even through the most interesting place.

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The rules of “ghost etiquette” in Japan are simple: do not keep old things at home, otherwise they will acquire a soul of their own, do not travel on summer nights, do not accept anything from strangers you meet, do not laugh at them, do not be rude and always be careful when choosing a spouse - it is quite possible that she is not the woman of your dreams, but a cunning fox or an evil fury. Even if ghosts don’t exist, and you live in Russia, these simple rules can still save you from unnecessary trouble.

I thought about it and decided that it would be a lot of fun! It’s just that if I shortened it, I would have missed a lot of information. So if anyone is interested, don’t be lazy to read! Have fun reading

Japanese God: Bishamon

Bishamon is one of the seven Japanese gods who bring happiness and good fortune. The Japanese borrowed it from mythology ancient india and they even considered him the heir of Vaishravana (guardian of underground treasures and protector of the North, as well as defender of religion), one of the guardian kings of India (he is depicted as a warrior with a spear). At first Bishamon was the northern guard, the god of war, but then he began to guard the law and protect people from demons and diseases. The ancient Japanese believed that Bishamon possessed great wealth and brought ten different types of treasures or good fortune. Together with the other six gods, he travels on a ship and bestows happiness, luck, and wealth on the worthy.

If you turn to a fairly authoritative source like the “Inryoken Nichiroku” (this is the famous chronicle, which for several decades was conscientiously kept by the monks of the Kyoto monastery Shokokuji), you can find that, starting from the end of the 15th century, it was customary among believers to install images of Bishamon on such called the “shelf for the gods.” By doing this, they hoped to find happiness sooner. By the way, it was during this period of time that Bishamon was destined to become one of the Seven Gods of Happiness, which was a consequence of the merging in the popular consciousness of the images of Bishamon and Daikokuten - the main god of happiness.

Japanese God: Daikoku

Daikoku in Japanese mythology was one of the seven gods, he was the god of wealth and was considered the patron of agriculture. He was also considered a friend of all children. He was depicted as a well-fed man sitting on sacks of rice, and in his hands he held another full sack. In Daikoku’s fist there was a magic rice beater; the Japanese believed that it fulfilled all wishes.

The ancient Japanese believed that the seven gods who brought good luck traveled on a ship. On board the ship there were treasures and various magical things, for example, an invisibility hat, or a wallet that never ran out of money. Plus, on the ship there was all the good things that a person could regret: wealth, happiness, health, luck, love.

Japanese God: Jurojin

Jurojin in Japanese mythology was one of the seven gods and enjoyed special attention. He was considered the god of longevity and a happy old age. He was considered the mentor of Fukurokuju, who was also the god of longevity and wisdom.

Jurojin looked like a little old man. He had a white beard and was usually in the company of a turtle, crane and deer. These animals were considered by the Japanese as symbols of long life. God has a magical staff to which a book was tied; this book contains all the wisdom of the world.

There were cases when Jurojin was depicted drinking vodka and sake. The Japanese believed that true wisdom cannot be achieved by avoiding fun and being gloomy and serious all the time.

Japanese gods: Izanaki and Izanami

Izanaki and Izanami ( probably "the first man god" and "the first woman goddess"), in Japanese mythology, gods, the last of five generations of gods who are born in pairs (before them there were seven single gods who did not have gender). They were considered the first deities who had the image and ability to give birth to other gods. The highest heavenly deities, who were the very first to appear during the separation of heaven and earth, instructed the young pair of gods to form the earth, which at that time was in a liquid state and, like a jellyfish, rushed along the sea waves.

Izanaki and Izanami lowered the spear (it was given to them by the highest deities) sea ​​water and rotated it. The drops of salt that fell from the spear thickened and formed an island called Onogorojima (which meant “self-thickened”). Having descended on the island, the young gods performed the marriage ceremony, walking around the pillar and pronouncing love speeches.

But their offspring turned out to be very unfortunate: the first child was born without legs and arms, and the second was born on the foamy island of Awashima. The disappointed couple turned to the deities for help and advice. They learned that the reason for their failures lay in an incorrectly performed marriage ceremony: after all, Izanami spoke the marriage words first, i.e. woman, but the man should speak. The couple repeated the ritual and from their marriage the Japanese islands were born, after land, wind and sea, meadows, mountains and trees, and much more. The last born was Kaguiuchi, the god of fire. At birth, he burned his mother and she died. Longing for his beloved wife, Izanaki went to the underworld to fetch her, since the world was not yet “complete.” After long imprisonment in the afterlife, Izanaki escaped with kingdom of the dead and divorced his wife, who became the goddess of the underworld.

On earth, Izanaki performed a purification, during which many gods were born. The very last to be born were three great deities: from the drops of water with which Izanaki washed his left eye, Amaterasu, the sun goddess, was born, from the water that washed his right eye, Tsukuyomi, the god of the night and moon, and, finally, from the water that washed his nose, the god of wind and water expanses of Susanoo.

Japanese God: Shichifukujin

Shichifukujin, in Japanese mythology, the seven gods of luck and happiness. Their names are Daikoku, Ebisu, Benten, Bishamon, Fukurokuju, his grandson Jurojin and Hotei. The group was formed in the 17th century. monk Tenkai based on the deities of Buddhism, Japanese folklore and Chinese Taoism in such a way that the gods included in it symbolize all the components of happiness: luck, generosity, honesty, dignity, glory, longevity and friendliness. According to literary sources, the original Japanese gods were Daikoku and Ebisu, the rest were forms of popular Buddhist deities who came from China and India. Thanks to peaceful coexistence different religions, the pretty gods of happiness and good fortune were highly revered in Japan.

Japanese God: Fukurokuju

Fukurokuju is the god of longevity, wisdom and fertility, one of the seven gods of happiness and good fortune. In the minds of the Japanese, he was a short-legged old man with a huge, elongated bald head, which spoke of his extraordinary intelligence. Fukurokuju's companions were birds and animals that also embodied longevity: crane, deer or ox, turtle.

Japanese God: Jurojin

Jurojin is one of the seven gods of happiness and good luck, embodied in the guise of a good-natured white-bearded old man who gave people longevity and a happy old age.

Japanese God: Hotei

Hotei is one of the seven gods of happiness in Japanese mythology. People imagined him as a fat, smiling old man, whose indispensable attributes were a bag and a small sieve. The god’s huge belly testified to his gluttony and good-natured disposition.

Japanese God: Susanoo

Susanoo ( valiant ardent god-man from Sus), in Japanese mythology was considered a deity, born from drops of water that washed Izanaki’s nose during his purification after returning from the kingdom of the dead. When Izanaki divided his domain among his children, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, he inherited the plain of the sea.

The dissatisfied ruler of the sea was about to leave for the land of the dead and, as a farewell, he invited Amaterasu, his sister, to give birth to children. From his sword, which was bitten by Amaterasu, goddesses were born, and from the magatama necklace, which belonged to Amaterasu and bitten by Susanoo, gods were born.

However, after Susanoo committed several very serious crimes: he destroyed the boundaries and canals in the rice fields, which were cultivated by Amaterasu, desecrated the sacred chambers with feces and, to top it all off, skinned a living foal, then threw this skin into the room where Amaterasu sewed ritual clothes.

For such sins he was expelled from the plain of the high sky.

Japanese God: Fugen Bosatsu

Fugen Bosatsu, in Japanese Buddhist mythology, is a deity who embodies the spirit of enlightenment. Fugen Bosatsu was often depicted as a seated man riding a snow-white elephant. In folk Buddhism, everyone knows his hypostasis - the figurine of Fugen Bosatsu, which brought longevity and good luck to its owner.

Japanese God: Hachiman

Hachiman ( translated as “many flags”), in Japanese mythology there was a patron god of warriors. Scholars suggest that his name comes from the ancient custom of raising flags in honor of the gods. God Hachiman also acted as the patron of samurai from the Minamoto clan, then as the protector of the military class of samurai, “the god of arrows and bows,” in other words, as the god of war. It was then that he began to be revered as the protector and guardian of the imperial citadel and, ultimately, as the guardian of the imperial family.

Ancient sculptures and monuments depict legends about the appearances of the god Hachiman in the form of an old blacksmith, a three-year-old child. There are also legends where God helped people.

In Japan, the cult of this god is very popular to this day.

The ruler of the country, Ojin, the fifteenth emperor of Japan, who reigned from 270 to 312, was deified under the name Hachiman, and was revered as the “god of arrows and bows,” as well as the guardian of the samurai military class.

Japanese God: Hoori

Hoori ( translated means "fiery shadow"), in Japanese mythology was the great-grandson of Amaterasu, the sun goddess.

Hoori, like his brother Khoderi (translated as “the radiance of fire”), was born in chambers that were engulfed in flames. One day, Hoori the hunter invited his fisherman brother to exchange their activities.

A little time passed, and Khoderi returned the bow to his brother, and Hoori, in turn, having lost his brother’s fishing hook, offered him another in return, but he refused. Distressed, the hunter god went to the sea lord Watatsumi no Kami and asked him to return the tackle to him. But when he saw the daughter of the sea lord, he fell in love with her, married her and was happy for many years.

When he finally decided to return home, the lord of the sea gave him fishing gear and presented him with two jaspers, these jaspers could control the ebb and flow of the tide.

Returning home, Hori finally returned his brother's fishing gear, but his brother continued to pester him. Finally the hunter god lost his patience and caused a tide. The sea overflowed its banks and covered Khoderi almost completely. Frightened, the fisherman brother began to ask for forgiveness, and Hoori called for the ebb of the tide.

After a short time, the daughter of the sea lord arrived to her husband and said that she was going to give birth to a child. At the same time, she asked her husband not to look at her childbirth, but he, breaking his promises, still peeked through the crack of her chambers. Because of this, the princess turned into a terrible monster and disappeared into the sea, leaving her child behind.

When the boy grew up, he married his aunt, who raised him. From this marriage a boy was born who was called by two names, Toyo-mikeno and Kamuyamato-ivarebiko. After his death, he became known as Jimmu-tenno and was considered the first ruler of Japan.

Japanese God: Hotei

In Japanese mythology, seven deities were identified; they were believed to bring good luck.

1. Bishamon - god of war;
2. Benten (the only goddess among the male gods) brought good luck in love;
3. Fukurokuju - god of wisdom;
4. Hotei - god of prosperity;
5. Jurojin promised long life;
6. Daikoku was the god of wealth;
7. Ebisu helped with the work.

It was believed that Hotei came to Japan from China. It was a fat monk traveling around the world with a large canvas bag and rosary. In the houses where Hotei visited, luck, health and wealth appeared.

He was depicted as a man sitting on a sack with a cheerful smile on his face.

Japanese God: Ebisu

God Ebisu - in Japanese mythology, was the god of labor and fishing; he was also revered as the guardian of the health of young children. Of the Divine Seven, Ebisu was the only one who was of Japanese descent. He was believed to be the first child of Izanami and Izanagi. He was born without legs and without arms. After birth, he was given the name Hirako, translated from Japanese as “tadpole.” However, then, having overcome many adversities and obstacles, he was able to grow arms and legs for himself and turned into the god Ebisu.

Although he was a little deaf, he still remained benevolent and joyful of life, he was often called the laughing god.

Japanese God: Emma-o

Emma-o, in Japanese Buddhism, the judge and lord of the dead.

Emma-o ruled jigoku, the underground hell; he had eighteen generals there and a huge number of warriors, demons and horse-headed guards.

The entire underworld was divided into 16 hells (eight fire and eight ice). The ancient Japanese believed that death begins its journey through the desert and mountains, and near the entrance to afterworld There is a river flowing that could be crossed in only three places. Good people passed through the bridge, righteous people. Through the ford are those who have committed minor sins. Those who were considered hardened sinners had to overcome fast flow rivers infested with monsters and monsters.

A terrible old woman was waiting for them on the other side of the river. She undressed the deceased, and in this form they appeared before the god Emma-o, who through a magic mirror could see all their earthly affairs and, according to what he saw, judged them (men only). The women were judged by his own sister.

Japanese mythology, which includes a lot of sacred knowledge, beliefs, and traditions of Shintoism and Buddhism, is at the same time interesting and incomprehensible to many. The pantheon contains a huge number of deities who perform their functions. There are a considerable number of demons that people believe in.

Pantheon of Japanese Gods

The myths of this Asian country are based on Shintoism - the “way of the gods”, which appeared in ancient times and defines the exact date It's simply impossible. The mythology of Japan is peculiar and unique. People worshiped various spiritual entities of nature, places and even inanimate objects. Gods could be evil and good. It is worth noting that their names are often complex and sometimes too lengthy.

Japanese sun goddess

The goddess Amaterasu Omikami is responsible for the heavenly body and in translation her name is called “the great goddess who illuminates the heavens.” According to beliefs, the sun goddess in Japan is the ancestor of the great imperial family.

1. It is believed that Amaterasu taught the Japanese the rules and secrets of the technology of growing rice and producing silk through the use of a loom.
2. According to legend, it appeared from drops of water when one of the great gods was washing in a reservoir.
3. Japanese mythology says that she had a brother, Susanoo, with whom she married, but he wanted to go to world of the dead to his mother, so he began to destroy the human world so that other gods would kill him. Amaterasu was tired of her husband’s behavior and hid in a cave, cutting off all contacts with the world. The gods, by cunning, managed to lure her out of her shelter and return her to heaven.

Japanese goddess of mercy

One of the main goddesses of the Japanese pantheon is Guanyin, who is also called the “Buddhist Madonna.” Believers considered her a beloved mother and divine mediator, who was not alien to the daily affairs of ordinary people. Other Japanese gods neither were of such great importance in ancient times.

1. Guanyin is revered as a compassionate savior and goddess of mercy. Its altars were placed not only in temples, but also in houses and roadside temples.
2. According to existing legends, the goddess wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven, but she stopped at the very threshold, hearing the cry of people living on earth.
3. The Japanese goddess of mercy is considered the patroness of women, sailors, merchants and artisans. Representatives of the fair sex who wanted to get pregnant also sought her help.
4. Guanyin is often depicted with many eyes and hands, representing her desire to help other people.

Japanese god of death

Behind other world answers Emma, ​​who is not only the ruler god, but also the judge of the dead, who rules hell (in Japanese mythology - jigoku).

1. Under the leadership of the god of death there is a whole army of spirits that performs many tasks, for example, they take the souls of the dead after death.
2. He is portrayed as a large man with a red face, bulging eyes and a beard. The God of Death in Japan is dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, and on his head is a crown with the hieroglyph for “king”.
3. In modern Japan, Emma is the hero of horror stories told to children.

Japanese God of War

The famous warlike patron god Hachiman is not a fictional character, since he was copied from the real Japanese warrior Oji, who ruled the country. For his good deeds, loyalty to the Japanese people and love of battle, it was decided to rank him among the divine pantheon.

1. There are several options for how the Japanese gods looked, so Hachiman was depicted as an elderly blacksmith or, conversely, as a child who provided all kinds of help to people.
2. He is considered the patron saint of samurai, which is why he is called the god of bow and arrow. Its task is to protect people from various life misfortunes and war.
3. According to one legend, Hachiman represents the fusion of three divine beings. It also says that he was the patron of the imperial family, so ruler Oji is considered his prototype.

Japanese god of thunder

Raijin is considered the patron of lightning and thunder in mythology. In most legends he is represented together with the god of the wind. He is depicted surrounded by drums, which he beats to create thunder. In some sources he is represented as a child or a snake. The Japanese god Raijin is also responsible for rain. He is considered the Japanese equivalent of a Western demon or devil.

Japanese god of fire

Kagutsuchi is considered responsible for the fire in the pantheon. According to legends, when he was born, he burned his mother with his flame and she died. His father, in despair, cut off his head, and then divided the remains into eight equal parts, from which volcanoes later appeared. From his blood came the other gods of Japan.

1. In Japanese mythology, Kagutsuchi was held in special esteem and people worshiped him as the patron of fire and blacksmithing.
2. People were afraid of the wrath of the god of fire, so they constantly prayed to him and brought various gifts, believing that he would protect their houses from fires.
3. In Japan, many people still follow the tradition of celebrating the Hi-matsuri holiday at the beginning of the year. On this day, it is necessary to bring into the house a torch lit from sacred fire in the temple.

Japanese wind god

Fujin is considered one of the oldest Shinto deities who inhabited the earth before the advent of humanity. For those who are interested in which god in Japan was responsible for the wind, and what he looked like, it is worth knowing that he was often represented as a muscular man who constantly carried a huge bag full of a huge amount winds, and they walk on the ground when he opens it.

1. In the mythology of Japan there is a legend that Fujin first released the winds at the dawn of the world to dispel the fogs and the sun could illuminate the earth and give life.
2. Originally in Japanese mythology, Fujin and his friend the thunder god were among the forces of evil that opposed the Buddha. As a result of the battle, they were captured and then repented and began to serve good.
3. The wind god has only four fingers on his hands, which symbolize the directions of light. He has only two toes on his feet, meaning heaven and earth.

Japanese god of water

Susanoo, who was already mentioned earlier, was responsible for the water domain. He appeared from drops of water, and is the brother of Amaterasu. He did not want to rule the seas and decided to go into the world of the dead to his mother, but in order to leave a mark on himself, he invited his sister to give birth to children. After this, the Japanese god of the sea did many terrible things on earth, for example, he destroyed canals in the fields, desecrated sacred chambers, and so on. For his deeds, he was expelled from the high sky by the other gods.

Japanese god of luck

The list of the seven gods of happiness includes Ebisu, who is responsible for good luck. He is also considered the patron saint of fishing and labor, and also the guardian of the health of young children.

1. The mythology of Ancient Japan contains many myths and one of them tells that Ebisu was born without bones because his mother did not observe the wedding ritual. At birth he was named Hirako. When he was not yet three years old, he was carried out to sea and after some time washed up on the shores of Hokkaido, where he grew bones for himself and turned into a god.
2. For his benevolence, the Japanese nicknamed him “the laughing god.” A festival is held in his honor every year.
3. In most sources he is presented wearing a tall hat, holding a fishing rod and a large fish in his hands.

Japanese Moon God

The ruler of the night and the earth's satellite is considered to be Tsukiyemi, who in mythology is sometimes represented as a female deity. He is believed to have the power to control the ebb and flow of the tides.

1. The myths of Ancient Japan explain the process of the appearance of this deity in different ways. There is a version that he appeared along with Amaterasu and Susanoo during the ablution of Izanagi. According to other information, he appeared from a mirror made of white copper, which in right hand held by the majestic god.
2. Legends say that the Moon God and the Sun Goddess lived together, but one day the sister drove her brother away and told him to stay away. Because of this, the two celestial bodies cannot meet, since the Moon shines at night. And the sun during the day.
3. There are several temples dedicated to Tsukiyemi.

Gods of happiness in Japan

In the mythology of this Asian country, there are as many as seven gods of happiness, who are responsible for different areas that are important to people. They are often represented in the form of small figures that float along the river. The ancient Japanese gods of happiness have connections with the beliefs of China and India:

1. Ebisu- This is the only god who is of Japanese origin. It was described above.
2. Hotei- God of good nature and compassion. Many turn to him to fulfill their cherished desire. He is portrayed as an old man with a huge belly.
3. Daikoku- the deity of wealth who helps people fulfill their desires. He is also considered the protector of ordinary peasants. He is presented with a hammer and a bag of rice.
4. Fukurokuju- god of wisdom and longevity. He stands out among other deities because of his overly elongated head.
5. Bezaiten- the goddess of luck who patronizes art, wisdom and learning. Japanese mythology represents her as a beautiful girl, and in her hands she holds the national Japanese instrument - the biwa.
6. Dzyurozin- the god of longevity and he is considered a hermit who is constantly in search of the elixir of immortality. They imagine him as an old man with a staff and an animal.
7. Bishamon- God of prosperity and material wealth. He is considered the patron saint of warriors, lawyers and doctors. He is depicted in armor and with a spear.

Japanese mythology - demons

It has already been mentioned that the mythology of this country is unique and multifaceted. There are dark forces in it and many Japanese demons played an important role in the life of ancient people, but in modern world some representatives dark forces Both children and adults are afraid. Among the most famous and interesting are:

Characteristics of men