Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods, Demons and Legends

by Melanie Clegg

Japanese Myths is an accessible, entertaining, and highly informative exploration of everything from the kami holy spirits venerated in Shinto religion to the divine origins of the Japanese imperial family.
 
Japanese Myths provides a clear, concise introduction to this fascinating if little-known world. Find out about Hachiman, the mighty god of war and the divine protector of Japan and its people. Marvel at Fujin, the god of the wind, a popular but terrifying demon—his bag of air is thought to move all the world’s winds, and he is a powerful force of nature alongside his brother, the thunder god Raijin. See Hotei, the “Laughing Buddha” and one of the most well-known symbols of Buddhism—rubbing his belly is said to bring good luck. And enjoy the myth of Shita-kiri Suzume, or “Toung-Cut Sparrow,” which explores the effects of greed, friendship, and jealousy.

Genres: Japan, History, Nonfiction, Mythology

224 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2023

About the author

International woman of history, biographer, posh doomer, chaotic good, anxious, ENFP, flame haired Robespierre, Scottish, a sweet titbit for the Devil's mouth.

To date, my published books include biographies of Marie de Guise, Henrietta Anne of England, Margaret Tudor and Empress Alexandra of Russia, all of which were published by Pen and Sword Books.

My next book, a biography of Madame Élisabeth, sister of Louis XVI, is due to be published by Pen and Sword Books in the summer of 2023.

After this, I am contracted to write about women guillotined during the French Revolution, Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, Marie Antoinette, Madame Royale, Louis XVI and the daughters of Louis XIV.

Reviews

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Japanese myths have always fascinated me from a young age, so I jumped at the chance to read deeper into the topic with this being endlessly interesting to me. Clegg has written a book that took me greatly by surprise and is very much verging on the academic in which she goes back through the centuries to the early years when Japanese writing and mythology came about. This is a lot more comprehensive and extensively researched than merely a tome on famous Japanese myths which I imagine will catch some people off guard as this is not that.

This goes a lot deeper into how mythology in the country was cultivated and ties it back to culture, history, religion and beliefs at the time and shows that as each of these have evolved then so has the outlook of the country as a whole eventually impacting emerging mythology. If you are looking for the bare bones Japanese myths to be recounted without much analysis or commentary then maybe a different book would be preferential, however, where looking for more in-depth insight into said myths then this is a great option and original in its perspective.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are even vaguely interested in all those strange anime or manga that are filling the market these days then this book would be an invaluable partner.

Melanie Clegg delves into the origins of the myths of the ancient Japanese culture and there are plenty gods, demons and ghosts to fill this small book.

I wouldn't recommend trying to read this is one sitting (no matter how interesting it is) but rather do it in stages and use it as a research tool. Ms Clegg describes the different eras of Japan, it's religions and their progression into modern culture. She also tells some great tales and ghost stories along the way, mixing it with traditions and holidays, religious days and celebrations.

I'd have to say one of my favourite tales (and if you've watched ant Ghibli or read manga or watched anime films or series you will be familiar with the modern takes on ancient tales) is one I've never heard. It deals with the bad luck brought about by people - in this case a likeness of Colonel Sanders that was thrown in a lake by exhuberant fans after their baseball team won. Unfortunately the statue was not recovered and bad luck descended on the team who did not win another cup. I won't tell you what happened next but it has a mixed outcome.

Read the book. It is fascinating with beautiful illustrations, stories and much more. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Japanese culture.

[Sophie Crane]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this book, always wanted to get better at reading Japanese but found a lot of methods to be frustrating or unrewarding but this book changed that! The stores are interesting and as I read each story I'm picking up more bits of vocab and kanji, the book structure makes sense and I love the addition of the simple questions after each story too!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

tl;dr Dive into the history and culture of Japan with this book. While I have some nit-picks, and the writing can be a little cold and uneven at times, I did otherwise enjoy the book and found it quite interesting, with wonder side-bits, artworks, photographs, and bios on the real people involved in helping to spread these stories across the globe.

(Just a heads up though, I did find a potential copy-paste bit from a Wikipedia article, which also has incorrect/misleading information.)

Not tl;dr:

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As an avid learner and enthusiast of the Japanese language and culture, when I saw an opportunity to read this book, I definitely had to take it.

Japan, like all countries and cultures, has a rich history of myths and legends. Some based on truths, some perhaps more elaborate, but all fascinating nevertheless.

The book starts with a brief overview of the history of Japan, and includes discussions of the indigenous Ainu and Ryukyuan peoples of which Japan assimilated. (While you typically hear of the Ainu people, I rarely hear of the Ryukyuan people, so that was a pleasant surprise!) The author touches on the good and bad aspects in relation to Japan, its history and influence, as well as covering some modern aspects of Japan's soft power.

While I did enjoy much of the book, the writing style is a little cold, which for the historical informative parts is fine, but when retelling the mythological tales, a little more color and flare would've been appreciated. "This happened, then this happened, and then this happened," gets a little tiring to read, which led me to take quite a few breaks while reading. As other reviewers mentioned, it feels a mix between academic writing and story-telling. (I couldn't help but compare to the YouTube channel Linfamy, who also discusses Japanese history and folklore. His videos include quite a few jokes and internet slang, but that's what makes them so unique and helps make the stories easier to remember and enjoy, at least for me.)

I did find it interesting how much information the author put in about translators and writers, along with artists, all involved in helping to create and spread these stories. Though I can understand that it can make the book feel thematically disjointed, it was not distracting for me. (Actually appreciated, as someone curious about getting into translation myself.) Though what I did find distracting was when sections of text were split in the middle of sentences, for an outlier spread about a side-topic. I felt those 'bonus' pages with extra information could've been saved for more clean areas of separation, or at the end of each chapter. Several times I had to jump back and forth between pages, while having my flow interrupted.

Also, a bit of an extreme nit-pick, but while I do think it's important and interesting to reference the Japanese language in this book, I feel like it gets to be a bit overboard with its references in a way that reminds me of the Western fetishization of Asian cultures. (See: ikigai) This book is certainly not going that far, and I don't mean to imply that, but the instances of, "this word means something like this, but there's more nuance," or random words thrown in that don't add anything of substance or meaning to the surrounding text ("Families gather at their jikka, or main household." <- Was that necessary?) do give me a similar vibe.

And in general, for an audience not familiar with the language, I feel like it could lead to a worse reading experience, as you effectively have to memorize several vocabulary words of a foreign language, as the author substitutes several English words for Japanese ones, and rarely re-explains their meaning. I suppose the intention was to be more immersive? But I don't think it was the right approach if the author was aiming for a general audience. (Which was the vibe I got from the description/how the book was otherwise written.)

With that, I was shocked to read the 'About the Author' to find the author is a J->E translator, when there is a blatant mistranslation in the book? "E-hon simply means 'picture book', but it also refers specifically to a type of woodblock printed, illustrated book published during the Edo period (1603–1868)." My issue is with /specifically/, which, it doesn't. Nowadays it /specifically/ refers to "children's book". If you were to use this word with a Japanese person, the first and main thing they would understand it as is "children's book". This is a minor error, but stood out to me, as someone who is both an artist, and as someone who has had conversations about art with Japanese people, specifically using this word. (Although if I search up the word in English, the first result is a Wikipedia page for it, that almost reads word-for-word. I hope this wasn't used as a source. 😬 "E-hon (絵本, or ehon) is the Japanese term for picture books. It may be applied in the general sense, or may refer specifically to a type of woodblock printed illustrated volume published in the Edo period (1603–1867)." Because that would be a yikes lol.)

So...anyway, that sort of alters my perception of this book now. Um, I'm gonna leave it at 3/5 stars and give the benefit of the doubt that the rest of the book was properly researched. ^^;

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grouped by type of myth which was helpful. Especially if you are looking for something specific. Lots of images from old Japan which was neat to see. Well put together and super interesting.

4 stars

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of mythology be it any. Indian, Celtic, Greek or Norse coz the myths and legends are lessons to be learned. They teach us so many things.

So I grabbed at a chance to read japanese mythology. I have never read anything related. This book is informative. It's quite evident that it is well researched and written with knowledge gathered from the sources available. It starts with telling us about difference in myth and legend.

The book explores everything from japanese mythology from kami holy spirits to japanese imperial family. Adorned with about 150 photographs and illustrations between which were treat to the eyes, the journey back in the time feels enchanting as well as informative.

Thank you Netgalley and Melanie Clegg for the ARC.

[Dave Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a lot of interesting information in "Japanese Myths" but Clegg can't decide whether she wants to inventory them all in an encyclopedic format or actually tell the stories. I was hoping for a book that was a compilation of the actual myths and legends, but that's not what this book offers. Instead, it proves to be more of an academic title with beautiful formatting and layout, but a very loose definition of "myths" that includes bios on writers, the history of horror tropes in Japanese cinema, and more. Clegg is at her best when she does relate some of the many fascinating and entertaining tales of Japanese culture, but ultimately "Japanese Myths" lacks the tight focus to be about the topic of its bold title.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Curious about myths and other cultures, when I saw this I was so excited to pick this up. I’d be learning about Japanese Myths as well as their culture. This book did exactly that.

Clegg dives into their gods, demons, and ghosts. The reader gets to see how these gods came about and in what ways they mean now in their culture currently. It will also discuss important figures and how they contributed to the myths.

There were a number of tales that helped me connect and explain further what I had seen in various media. It was nice to be able to connect those stories to the myths and legends that Japan has and still has.

Some of the tales were fascinating. Clegg starts with how the islands of Japan were created and who those gods were to some of the more recent myths that had formed. One that really had me captivated was a baseball team being cursed by Colonel Sanders.

The stories were fascinating and I loved learning more about everything, but there were times when the writing felt very academic which if you take your time with it it shouldn’t be as big of a struggle to deal with as it was for me.

If you are interested in myths and Japanese culture, I would recommend this book. Take your time with it. Soak in the stories and the stunning illustrations and dive in.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for a cursory look at Japanese myths, though I would think Japan's Legends, Myths, and Backstory might be a more appropriate title, as the book also discusses things like the 47 Ronin. What makes this book entertaining is all of the pictures and artwork that the author provides to assist the reader. I also enjoyed the author's addition of both Ryukyuan and Ainu stories, which are often hard to find.

The book would fit well into a middle school or high school library to provide anyone interested in such an overview. I would also recommend that one needs a physical copy. I received the book from Netgalley and had to read it in the Netgalley app. Unfortunately, the Netgalley app does not work well with books that have the amount of artwork this book does. As the individual stories in the book are brief, the author cuts corners in the retelling. However, this does not detract from the presentation and readers can look for in-depth detail elsewhere.

[Linn van den Heuvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting and although the names are often difficult I could manage to read it easily because the writer made it very understandable. I’d love to read the rest someday!

I have learned a lot about Japan and its myths and legends. A lot of commonly known things you usually take for granted now have a backstory. Often times I was surprised by the stories. I thought the writing was done in a good way, because the texts were short but held a lot of information. It was easy to understand.

[Eva Kouvari · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book takes the reader on a trip in the past, working up to the recent myths, the once created mostly because of the internet.

Full of stories, photos, and art, 'Japanese Myths' is exactly what you expect. Starting from the creation of the world, the reader follows Japan's rise and the myths accompanying the heroes and rulers of the land.

There's also information about historians, authors, and other important figures.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book.

[WorldconReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having studied the language and lived in Japan, I really enjoyed reading "Japanese Myths - Heroes, Gods, Demons and Legends" by Melanie Clegg. As the title suggests, the lavishly illustrated book is comprised of five chapters "Creation Myths and Cosmology", "Kami - Other Spirits and Deities", "Heroes and Legends", "Mythological Creatures and Objects", and "Ghosts and Urban Legends".

The 20 page introduction provided an excellent overview of Japanese history and culture. The introduction might be a bit overwhelming to someone that hasn't already studied Japanese history, but amazingly it brought back some of the wonder I felt when I first visited Japan and started learning the culture and language.

The chapter on creation myths also brought back memories of taking classes on Japanese history and literature, and was both a good review and also taught me many episodes that I had not learned before. This was also an interesting chapter. (Well, to be sure, every chapter was interesting!)

The chapter on "Kami - Other Spirits and Deities" was not only informative regarding the various deities in Japan, but very accurately identified how much this belief influences everyday life. Even when living in Japan, it is easy to overlook how many place names, company names, and ideas are based on these various deities. I was surprised to learn that the fox character constantly featured in popular "Inari" shrines in Japan are not in fact the enshrined deity, but rather a companion to the deity.

The many Japanese myths and legends covered in this book are recapped very nicely and are quite enjoyable to read. I think that the retelling is better than the original sources in many cases. And the photographs are vivid and contribute to reader understanding. I absolutely recommend this very readable and entertaining book to anyone interested in learning about the background to Japanese culture.

I thank Melanie Clegg and Amber Books for kindly providing a temporary electronic review copy of this work.

[East West Notes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Studying mythology provides insights into Japanese cultural identity and the values and traditions behind it. Comprised of oral folk tales, Shinto stories and Buddhist parables, these myths have their roots in Japan, China and India. Mythology often serves as a source of sharing universal truths about morality, psychology and spirituality. By exploring myth, we not only gain a deeper appreciation for the past but also foster cross-cultural understanding and preserve cultural heritage for younger generations.

Japanese Myths is a visually pleasing guide with over 150 graphics, illustrations and photographs. Author Melanie Clegg is a freelance translator and holds a BA (Hons) in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford. The book opens with key creation myths and with explanations of how these have been used to legitimise the ruling elite. These sections are drawn from The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the oldest chronicles that provide accounts of Japan's history and mythology, including significant events and the genealogies of early rulers.

In addition to outlining the overarching mythology collected in official chronicles, this guide also summarises notable deities, ghosts, creatures, parables, legends and folk tales. Each section succinctly provides cultural context and their significance today. The publishing space for Japanese short stories, myths and tales is crowded with previously published collections, but this book by Clegg is a fine contribution. What sets this book apart is Clegg's ability to blend scholarly research, travel writing and sociological analysis into one accessible and charming guide. Her summaries reflect her expertise and experiences of living in Japan, offering readers a glimpse into the nuances of Japanese culture without overstepping into personal narrative.

These myths show the origins of significant rituals, festivals and artistic expressions that continue on today. This book would be an excellent read for those making their first trip to Japan. For example, in the section on Tengu, it describes how "By the Edo period, they were regarded more as spirits that could be placated with the right rituals. Tengu might even be worshipped as beneficial kami and the deities of sacred mountains. The Shimokitazawa Tengu Matsuri, or Goblin Festival, celebrates Setsubun with a procession that includes a float featuring a huge tengu mask and people dressed up as a fearsome crow-like tengu and a red-nosed tengu."

The reader will appreciate the further explanation of how these tales were spread, such as through oral traditions or special parties for sharing ghost stories. Younger readers might enjoy that the text includes a collection of stories from online publishing ('Creepypasta') and modern curses. These additions show the enduring appeal of spooky stories across generations. I was especially moved by the sections relating to ghosts, which included stories about mothers who returned from the dead to feed their still living children and the modern reports of ghosts appearing after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

"I suppose it’s not that strange. So many people died in the disaster – some of them must have unfinished business. I’m sure it was a ghost that I saw. I’m not scared anymore. If I saw another customer dressed in winter garb waiting for a ride, I’d pick them up and treat them like any other passenger."

This book includes a number of translations of poems and I'm uncertain if these poems were translated by Clegg or another individual because there is no specific attribution underneath. There is a full page providing short biographies of notable translators of Japanese works, such as Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki.

Although this book covers a number of subjects that might already be familiar to those with a strong interest in Japan, it expands on these to highlight their enduring significance. Some profiles of legendary individuals touch on sensitive issues, which are a "a powerful reminder of how myth and legend can be manipulated by those who seek to use them to disseminate particular ideologies, and of how deep-rooted and insidious such beliefs can become." Significantly, this book is also distinguished from other English language publications by dedicating a fair amount of space for Ainu and Ryukyuan history and myths. These are not separated into their own section, but rather woven into the book which is mainly divided by theme.

Japanese Myths is a beautifully illustrated reference guide which covers the beliefs, customs and historical events that form the basis of Japanese society, and this is what makes it worth purchasing beyond a separate collection of translated myths. Due to its lovely presentation, this book would make a lovely gift for someone with a developing interest in Japan.

This book was provided by Amber Books for review. Amber Books is a an independent UK publisher based in London which publishes illustrated non-fiction for adults & children.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Amber Books for an advanced copy of this book on the lore, gods and goddesses and creatures of ancient Japan, and their continuing influences today.

People and countries need their myths for a lot of different reasons. One to explain things, where they came from, where they are going and why things are the way they are. Stories from the past explain the reasonings of today. People might treat each other in good or bad ways depending on the myths of their country. Look at America, a young country whose recent history is not that far away, and yet the 1950's in the United States is looked at as an Eden, thought it was far from it. Myths are as encoded in DNA as are the proteins that give us our traits. For good and for bad. To understand a people, it helps to know where they came from. The fact that stories are so good it only a plus. Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods Demons and Legends by Melanie Clegg looks at the origin tales of the Japanese people and the Ainu natives and tells how the the land, the people and the cultures were developed and formed, by the stories they share.

The book begins with an explanation of the two oldest written works on the creation myths of Japan, the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. These were adapted from earlier oral myths that had been passed down through the centuries. What Clegg points out is that these were the stories that were chosen to be written down, others have been lost to time as there is no record of them. Clegg also looks at some of the stories by the Ainu natives, a group with there own share of problems in Japan. From there were learn the stories, the couple separated by death and a rock, who created the early pantheon of gods. The heroes who fought for justice, or honor, the demons who haunt the hillsides. Readers learn about the different ages of Japan, and how certain myths have been adapted to explain certain parts of Japanese culture, the rise of military during the early part of the last century. And also the effect on culture with characters from famous manga or anime shows coming from classic tales, along with many of the creatures in Pokémon.

A very informative and lavishly illustrated tome to the myths of Japan, and their cultural impact. The writing is very good, always instructive, and well-researched, and yet not dull or sounding like a lecture. Clegg has a real gift in making the stories interesting, answering questions, and finding art that fits well with what Clegg is describing. The stories are fascinating and one doesn't have to be a scholar of mythology to either understand or be taken in by the stories. Though a familiarity would be helpful. As would a familiarity with manga, anime, and movies as many of those that Clegg writes about will be familiar to most fans of these subjects, especially readers of the Usagi Yojimbo stories by Stan Sakai.

A book that should be on the shelf of those interested in the mythology of Japan, that goes without saying. However this would also be a good book for role playing game designers for idea, and fantasy writers also for ideas. Manga and anime fans will also enjoy this book, which would be a perfect Christmas gift for many fans.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley and Amberbooks, for this ebook, Arc.

Publish date: 9/13/2023

As someone who reads a lot of fantasy, manga, and translated works.  I was aware of some of the myths talked about in Melanie Cleggs book, Japanese Myths.
Though the history behind them and how they have adapted, I had little to no knowledge.

Clegg starts at the beginning by explaining the historical background and introducing the reader to the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, the oldest written mythologies in Japan. This allows anyone to jump into Japanese Myths and begin to dive into the mysterious stories that influence culture and even fuel propaganda in later years.

This book would be a great reference tool for homeschooling parents or a companion to a textbook for high school students. Who may want a deeper understanding of mythology and its influence in the modern era. There are many add-in segments that can influence the reader to research further on their own. For example, there is a mini reference section on Japanese translation, listing many individuals who pioneered and further spread the reach of Japanese mythology. Laying the groundwork for the influence it has today in movies, shows, and books. I myself enjoyed hearing the different stories and pinpointing works that I have seen then in. For example, in the show Teen Wolf, one of the seasons features the Oni and Kitsune. I enjoyed learning the orgins of in Cleggs' work.

Not only is this book filled with historical references but is filled with beautiful pictures that allow the reader to see how these myths are intergrated into Japanese culture along with photographs of artwork inspired by these heroes, Demons, gods, and the Legends that have been passed down orally for years. Clegg also touches on Ryukyuan, Chinese,  and Indian stories that are interconnected into Japanese lore. I had no idea that Buddhism played such an influential role.

Overall, I think this was a great starting place for dabbling in Japanese mythology. The writing was clear and concise and used great examples and pictures. Allowing people who have never been to Japan to experience how entwined it is with their culture.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guide, as you'd probably expect, to the myths of Japan, but not a great one. It blends well the talking about the myth – the introduction is how these stories came about and what they mean, and what even counts as myth in a land of Pokemon and collectors games based on Buddhist characters of legend – and the actual narration of the myth, as seen with the extended chapter regarding all the varied steps in the creation story.

But after that it's a bit of a rum affair, with the next chapter supposedly a guide to the kami of note, but jumping from this topic to that, and even throwing in our human festivals as well. This is a directory as opposed to a retelling or narrative, but one seemingly based on the toss of a dice as opposed to any logical formatting and ordering. We look at some of the more famous stories, and other classical texts, and then get the bestiary of yokai, before going down a ghostly road that leads to more modern urban myths and the way a J-horror lore has been spread worldwide.

Ultimately this seemed too confusing for the absolute layman, such as I, and far too loose and higgledy-piggledy to be a decent reference book for the expert. More than once it seemed too random in its running order, mentioning a term not fully introduced yet, or needlessly splitting one story into two. In the end it relies too much then on its wonderful visual collection of prints, temple photography and artistic interpretations of it all to make it amenable for the average browser. I mean, it does the visuals very well, as I'd only predict from Amber Books, but I might have expected it to be doing a bit more. The half-way house between story collection and encyclopaedia was an ungainly attempt at what I'd thought to be getting.

[Monica (switching platforms) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always postponed reading the books on myths and finally, I got to read one, so I warmly thank the publishing house and the author for involuntarily fulfilling my wish. Since I have no idea how a book of this kind is presented I let myself be guided by the author’s hand and it was a surprise because the content presented is very detailed and thorough. You can see that the author has carried out the research behind each presented chapter and above all the choice to offer a vast period, from the creation of myths and cosmology to urban legends, allowed her to focus on events and people by making a concise but fulfilling presentation. I was aware of some information because I read it from articles on the internet so having some ideas was much more enjoyable because I was able to add a piece to my baggage of curiosity about this world.
The presence of photos makes the reading light and pleasing to the eyes, but above all gives a vision of some topics that you're reading.
Recommended reading for those who want to read the myths of Japan or just out of curiosity, you never know what you find inside a book. :")

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[J Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods, Demons and Legends by Melanie Clegg is a very attractive and informative overview of Japanese mythology.

Clegg does a wonderful job of being informative without becoming academic. There is enough detail to make both the myths and their roles in society and culture understandable while still remaining accessible to even the most casual reader. If you want to dive deeper there is a short bibliography but the terms and names mentioned in whatever section interests you will pull up plenty of resources online and in libraries.

I was particularly pleased to see the role of myth brought into contemporary times, with references to popular culture and urban legends. So whether your curiosity is inspired by ancient myths or more recent media, there is something for you here.

While academics who study this topic may not learn anything new here, most of the rest of us will be taken on a wonderfully guided tour, so I highly recommend it for readers with little to no knowledge of Japanese mythology.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Adri Dosi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kniha je bezesporu kvalitní na kvalitním papíře a s pěknými obrázky. Nicméně...
Nicméně, já toužila po knize jako Staré řecké báje, nebo ta severská mytologie od Gaimana, knihy od Freye? Nevím, jestli si to ujasníme.. :-D. Měla jsem prostě jinou představu a touhu.
Takže já jsem v konečném výsledku spíše na 3*. Ono když se to na vás takhle hrne s lokacemi, letopočty, spoustou názvů...topíte se. Zvlášť, když tam není schéma. Ano, je to bráno pěkně postupně. Ano, snaží se vše vysvětlit od historie, v průběhu časů a tak. Ano, v těch odstavcích se člověk nakonec příběhů ve zkratce dočká... ale prostě mi chybí ta dějovost? Přitom těch pověstí mají spoustu. Jsou dokonce i filmy, animáky. Nicméně to rozhodně neznamená, že by byla špatná. Je to ale kniha, která není ideální na to mít ji půjčenou z knihovny, ta by se měla vlastnit a číst ji pěkně pomalu, postupně, klidně i celý rok a mít možnost se k ní vracet, když budete číst jiné knihy, které budou potřebovat dohledávání. Zajímavá rozhodně je a je škoda, že podobných u nás vyšlo minimum. Byť v poslední době se začaly konečně objevovat. Ještě i tu korejskou by mohli vydat.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie Clegg’s Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods, Demons, and Legends is a comprehensive collection that extends beyond Japanese Mythology. Its pages are brimming with photographs, images, and stunning artwork.

The introduction provides extensive information about Japanese history and how the country’s history has shaped Japanese mythology. In the five chapters that follow, Clegg explores creation myths, cosmology, kami, heroes, mythical creatures, urban legends, and more. The text includes a vast collection of Japanese myths written in a succinct manner.

Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods, Demons, and Legends is an excellent resource for those interested in Japanese history and mythology.

Kind thanks to Melanie Clegg, Amber Books, and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy of Japanese Myths.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Amber Books Ltd for giving me the chance to read Japanese Myths by Melanie Clegg in exchange for my honest review.

This was a wonderful book, which as an enthusiast about all things regarding japanese culture, I thoroighly enjoyed. An easy read, giving the reader tons of information about Japanese myths, cultural beliefs and insight about dieties, kami, lore and tales hailing from long ago and become the part of legends that form today's Japan's mythology.
One book that i would definetely add to my collection if I wanted to have of Japan's myths and lore close at hand anytime to be able spot them easily in modern day media, such as movies,anime and manga but to always have a part of Japan on my shelves even if I haven't bee there in person yet because of all the beautiful illustrations that are included insisde.

[Michela Canuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from the beginning to the end. Japanese Myths is the perfect book if you want to immerse yourself in Japanese mythology, discover its secrets from the mythical origins of Japan to the most modern urban legends. The continuity of the narrative is well marked and each step is perfectly linked to the previous one. The content is well written and very interesting, enough to provide me with ideas for a personal project. It is a text suitable both for those who simply want to discover Japanese mythology and as a valid addition to a university course. It is definitely a text that I would like to have in a physical edition in my collection. Highly recommended!

[Hikari · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lavishly illustrated introduction to the world of Japanese mythology including creation stories, many different types of spirit, heroic figures of old as well as ghosts and mythical creatures. Whilst the focus is on the Japanese mythologies, Clegg also includes stories and figures from Ainu culture (the indigenous population who have been pushed further and further north) and Ryukyu islands culture (who Japan took over in the seventeenth-century) to round out the picture. A fascinating read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating and well-presented book that includes more than just myths as it gives an overview of history, culture etc. It is the kind of book that you don't read--rather you pore over it to find your own interesting tidbits. Though I usually get my books from the library, this is one that I would prefer to own since I can imagine referring to it over and over again. It's very readable, and again, very visually attractive.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It would make a wonderful holiday gift!

[Sude Nur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bendeki baskısı renksiz ve kalitesiz olduğundan dolayı çok içine giremedim eğer kaliteli ve orijinal baskısından okumuş olsaydık muhtemelen daha çok severdim çünkü içeriğindeki resimleri inceleyerek okumak daha bir zevkli olurdu. Onun dışında mitler ve efsaneler hakkında çok da akılda kalıcı olmayacak şekilde kısa kısa hap bilgiler verilmişti, Asya Mitolojisine ilgi duyanların raflarında bulunmalı mıdır tartışır. Konu hakkında eminim daha iyi ve kapsamlı eserler vardır

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of illustrations and good information. Japanese myths are so interesting and I really enjoyed this book.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about Japanese Myths with a lot of lovely pictures. Intriguing and fascinating.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent overview!

[Darius Ostrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe that this is my fifth book from Amber Books, each of them a joy to review, well thought-out and gorgeously illustrated. The latest is “Japanese Myths” by Melanie Clegg, stories of “Heroes, Gods, Demons and Legends”. Following the format of many more recent Amber Books, there is much more than just art and pictures, the author introduces many of the stories, traditions, and historical interests of the myths, providing a much richer reading experience. Having visited Japan for the first time earlier this year, it is interesting now to look back and get a deeper understanding of some of the experiences we had on our visit (and once again I read a book that would have been much more helpful before my trip!).

Ms. Clegg starts with the creation myths, introducing us to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, two of the oldest Japanese texts that combine some historical facts with mythological embellishments that help establish the Japanese royal lineage and right to rule, similar to many other cultures that have emperors/kings. The author does a wonderful job of placing these stories in context, of showing us how the Chinese, Indian, and other Asian culture myths are tied to the Japanese stories, how both Buddhism and Shinto have combined to provide a unique heritage, and also includes Ainu and Ryukyuan stories as part of the history of Japan. We see some of the better-known stories such as Fujin and his brother Raijin (wind and thunder), the laughing buddha, and the moon goddess sprung from a bamboo shoot. But Ms. Clegg also exposes tales that aren’t well known in the West, from ancient history through modern times (including a funny story about a Colonel Sanders statue that would fit right in with American sports curses).

At times the writing seems a bit more clinical and cold, but for most of the book the explanations provide the right balance of summarization and details. The pictures do a great job of complimenting the text, there are also asides that provide a different perspective or interesting trivia. A fine guide for anyone interested in the folklore of Japan.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Amber Books Ltd, Amber Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Gokay · Rating 4 out of 5]

bu kitapla o kadar guzel vakit gecirdik ki sanki bir ders kitabi gibi uzerine not alarak okudum muthis iyiydi