Japanese Myths Illustrated: Spirits and Creatures of Folklore

by Melanie Clegg

Discover everything you’ve ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of contemporary pop culture. Japanese Myths Illustrated provides a sumptuous, accessible guide to the religious beliefs, myths and gods of this enduring culture. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion. The Shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami (deities or spirits). One notable aspect of Japanese mythology is that it provided a creation story for Japan and attributed divine origins to the Japanese Imperial family, assigning them godhood. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with over 130 photographs and illustrations, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the tales of an ancient culture and still has an enduring appeal today.

160 pages, Hardcover

Published September 14, 2025

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.