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ABC-CLIO’s Handbooks of World Mythology
Handbook of Japanese Mythology
Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozu-no-kamigami --the eight million. They are the cast of a vast, complex mythology that encompasses two religions, three cultures, and three millennia, one whose ancient deities are still hard at work today.
Handbook of Japanese Mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet little-known mythological landscape. The book reveals the origins of Japan's myths in the very different realms of Buddhism, Shinto, and folklore, and explores related mythologies of the Ainu and Okinawan cultures and recent myths arising from Japan's encounters with modernization. It then offers vivid retellings of the central Shinto and Buddhist myths, plus descriptions of major historical figures, icons, rituals, and events.
For students or long-time enthusiasts, it is the ideal guide for investigating Japanese reverence for the sun, the imperial family, and the virtues of purity and loyalty. Readers will also learn why sumo wrestlers stomp before each match, how a fussy baby creates thunder, why Japan has a god for soccer, and much more.
Handbook of Japanese Mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet little-known mythological landscape. The book reveals the origins of Japan's myths in the very different realms of Buddhism, Shinto, and folklore, and explores related mythologies of the Ainu and Okinawan cultures and recent myths arising from Japan's encounters with modernization. It then offers vivid retellings of the central Shinto and Buddhist myths, plus descriptions of major historical figures, icons, rituals, and events.
For students or long-time enthusiasts, it is the ideal guide for investigating Japanese reverence for the sun, the imperial family, and the virtues of purity and loyalty. Readers will also learn why sumo wrestlers stomp before each match, how a fussy baby creates thunder, why Japan has a god for soccer, and much more.
375 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
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December 28, 2014I read this as part of research I'm doing for something I'm writing, and in that regards I found it very useful. However, if you'd rather study mythology more from the perspective of the stories, and less in terms of the academic and cultural approach, then you might not enjoy this book that much; because honestly, it reads more than anything like a textbook. Myths are of course, primarily about gods and goddesses, but there is a lot in the way of other fantastic legends and tales that make up the mythology of a culture. While this book goes over both, it overwhelmingly focuses on everything involving the deities (which are very, very numerous), and although it touch on a lot of the other aspects of the mythology, I felt it did not go into quite enough detail on them. Overall, the book is very well organized, which is useful to someone who wants to refer to certain sections later on. On the other hand, the first and the second half repeat a ton of the same information, and multiple times. I'm glad I read the book, but do feel a little bit disappointed by the somewhat dry, academic approach - but since this is something that could appeal to others, I will refrain from giving the book a rating.
October 21, 2010
I started to read it only to broadcast my view about japanese demons and ghosts, but i discovered a lot of useful and interesting information about whole japanese way of living. I haven't found this book in the stores so I printed it at the work and read at the subway even missed my station once:) After finishing I really became japanese mythology fan, thank you Michael!
September 26, 2021
Temiz bir ceviri. Zevkine de okunuyor ama temel olarak bir ogrenim kaynagi.
June 22, 2012
Title: Ashkenazi, M. (2008). Handbook of Japanese mythology. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Reviewer: Jessica L. Cooper
Type: Handbook
Call Number: REF 299
Brief Description:
Cost: $24.95
Review Citation: Grabarek, D., and Lothrop, P. (2004). [Review of Handbook of Japanese Mythology by M. Ashkenazi]. School Library Journal, 50(4), 91.
Relevance and Relationship: This inexpensive handbook contains information on a very specific area of Japanese culture which is not featured extensively in the other books in the library.
Purpose: The writer’s style is easy to follow and is entertaining though the work contains detailed, scholarly information. The author does not assume prior knowledge of the subject matter, but does cover a great deal of information relating to Japanese mythology. Japanese is a popular language class at the school (there is even a Japanese Club), and there are also many students at the school who are interested in Japanese culture, and specifically manga. This book may interest these students in non-fiction reading related to their interests. This book may also be helpful for students studying mythology in sophomore English which focuses on World Literature.
Validity: The book’s author, Ashkenazi, is a known anthropologist. The book is published by Oxford University Press and was recommended in reviews in School Library Journal and Choice. The text is an updated edition and should remain relatively current for some period of time as the subject is Japanese mythology.
Format: The book is a print resource that contains some illustrations.
Arrangement and Presentation: The introduction to the book contains around 100 pages of context paying special consideration to history, religion, and society while also explaning the purposes of myths. The core of the book contains some of the better known myths. Finally, the latter part of the book contains entries about key figures and concepts in alphabetical order (which are cross-referenced), references for further studies, a glossary, and a bibliography.
Diversity: This book will be of interest to students of varying ability levels who are attracted to or are studying Japanese culture.
Reviewer: Jessica L. Cooper
Type: Handbook
Call Number: REF 299
Brief Description:
Cost: $24.95
Review Citation: Grabarek, D., and Lothrop, P. (2004). [Review of Handbook of Japanese Mythology by M. Ashkenazi]. School Library Journal, 50(4), 91.
Relevance and Relationship: This inexpensive handbook contains information on a very specific area of Japanese culture which is not featured extensively in the other books in the library.
Purpose: The writer’s style is easy to follow and is entertaining though the work contains detailed, scholarly information. The author does not assume prior knowledge of the subject matter, but does cover a great deal of information relating to Japanese mythology. Japanese is a popular language class at the school (there is even a Japanese Club), and there are also many students at the school who are interested in Japanese culture, and specifically manga. This book may interest these students in non-fiction reading related to their interests. This book may also be helpful for students studying mythology in sophomore English which focuses on World Literature.
Validity: The book’s author, Ashkenazi, is a known anthropologist. The book is published by Oxford University Press and was recommended in reviews in School Library Journal and Choice. The text is an updated edition and should remain relatively current for some period of time as the subject is Japanese mythology.
Format: The book is a print resource that contains some illustrations.
Arrangement and Presentation: The introduction to the book contains around 100 pages of context paying special consideration to history, religion, and society while also explaning the purposes of myths. The core of the book contains some of the better known myths. Finally, the latter part of the book contains entries about key figures and concepts in alphabetical order (which are cross-referenced), references for further studies, a glossary, and a bibliography.
Diversity: This book will be of interest to students of varying ability levels who are attracted to or are studying Japanese culture.
February 10, 2021
Altro testo da consultazione che ho acquistato in cartaceo, una panoramica sulla mitologia giapponese che parte con una breve introduzione storica per passare alla narrazione di svariati miti fino ad arrivare a una terza parte che è una sorta di enciclopedia del mito giapponese in ordine alfabetico.
Sarebbe impossibile condensare in un volume la vastità delle religioni, miti, leggende e folklore del Giappone, ma rimane un buon testo introduttivo, la quarta parte del volume infatti è tutta dedicata a una bibliografia sul tema e a siti utili per studiare/approfondire l’argomento.
Trovo molto affascinante il ruolo che la religione ricopre in Giappone, è incredibile passeggiare per le strade della futuristica Tokyo e imbattersi in templi e santuari a volte minuscoli. Buddismo, scintoismo, le tradizioni delle isole Ryuku e dell’Hokkaido. Personaggi storici che si fondono col mito fino a rendere impossibile stabilire con certezza la realtà dei fatti. E ancora la religione protagonista politica del Giappone dell’epoca Tokugawa col commentario del Kojiki di Motoori Norinaga. O il concetto di kamikaze, il vento che ha scacciato i mongoli dall’invasione del tredicesimo secolo e che verrà ripreso tragicamente durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Ci sono talmente tanti spunti che non basterebbe un’enciclopedia in trenta volumi a coprire tutto. Ed è in queste situazioni che mi sento sopraffatto. Chiudo il libro e mi sembra di essere più ignorante di prima. La lettura sta diventando una croce piuttosto che un piacere, un monito costante che mi ricorda quanto sono piccolo nell’ordine delle cose, quanto poco so e che per quanto si possa correre forte su una strada infinita, in realtà si sta sempre fermi. È frustrante, ma magari troverò una soluzione nel prossimo libro...
Sarebbe impossibile condensare in un volume la vastità delle religioni, miti, leggende e folklore del Giappone, ma rimane un buon testo introduttivo, la quarta parte del volume infatti è tutta dedicata a una bibliografia sul tema e a siti utili per studiare/approfondire l’argomento.
Trovo molto affascinante il ruolo che la religione ricopre in Giappone, è incredibile passeggiare per le strade della futuristica Tokyo e imbattersi in templi e santuari a volte minuscoli. Buddismo, scintoismo, le tradizioni delle isole Ryuku e dell’Hokkaido. Personaggi storici che si fondono col mito fino a rendere impossibile stabilire con certezza la realtà dei fatti. E ancora la religione protagonista politica del Giappone dell’epoca Tokugawa col commentario del Kojiki di Motoori Norinaga. O il concetto di kamikaze, il vento che ha scacciato i mongoli dall’invasione del tredicesimo secolo e che verrà ripreso tragicamente durante la seconda guerra mondiale. Ci sono talmente tanti spunti che non basterebbe un’enciclopedia in trenta volumi a coprire tutto. Ed è in queste situazioni che mi sento sopraffatto. Chiudo il libro e mi sembra di essere più ignorante di prima. La lettura sta diventando una croce piuttosto che un piacere, un monito costante che mi ricorda quanto sono piccolo nell’ordine delle cose, quanto poco so e che per quanto si possa correre forte su una strada infinita, in realtà si sta sempre fermi. È frustrante, ma magari troverò una soluzione nel prossimo libro...
October 5, 2020
En sus casi 400 páginas, este 'Manual de mitología japonesa' nos ofrece una excelente introducción a la materia. En él encontraremos no sólo una recopilación de los más importantes mitos del Shinto y el budismo japonés, sino también de las tradiciones de los pueblos indígenas del archipiélago, todo ello debidamente enmarcado en su contexto histórico y expresado mediante un lenguaje directo y sin florituras.
El libro está dividido en cuatro partes: en la primera, el autor nos habla del contexto histórico en el que sucede la mitología del país del sol naciente. En la segunda, nos expone los principales mitos de las religiones sintoísta y budista en orden cronológico. La tercera parte, por mucho la más extensa, es un glosario de deidades, objetos y términos. Al final de cada entrada incluye lecturas recomendadas para ampliar conocimientos. En último lugar, tenemos la cuarta parte de la obra, 100 páginas de lecturas, páginas web y películas recomendadas.
Lo mejor de este ensayo es, sin duda, su lenguaje sencillo y ameno, que facilita adentrarse en el texto incluso teniendo un nivel mediocre de inglés, como es mi caso. Hay muchísima información condensada entre sus páginas y, de saber esta a poco, las abundantes recomendaciones y la extensa bibliografía permitirán profundizar en los temas presentados a lo largo del libro.
Aún así, este ensayo tiene algunas carencias a destacar:
1) Algunas entradas son escuetas en exceso y a menudo se repite información.
2) Hay muy pocas imágenes. Más ilustraciones hubieran sido de agradecer de cara a visualizar ciertos conceptos y deidades mencionados en el libro.
3) Es una pena que el autor no haya incluido la escritura japonesa de los términos y nombres que emplea a lo largo del libro.
De todas formas, considero que las virtudes de 'Handbook of Japanese Mythology' sobrepasan con creces sus defectos. No dudo en recomendar este libro a todo aquel que esté interesado en introducirse en el fascinante mundo de las religiones japonesas y su intrincada mitología.
El libro está dividido en cuatro partes: en la primera, el autor nos habla del contexto histórico en el que sucede la mitología del país del sol naciente. En la segunda, nos expone los principales mitos de las religiones sintoísta y budista en orden cronológico. La tercera parte, por mucho la más extensa, es un glosario de deidades, objetos y términos. Al final de cada entrada incluye lecturas recomendadas para ampliar conocimientos. En último lugar, tenemos la cuarta parte de la obra, 100 páginas de lecturas, páginas web y películas recomendadas.
Lo mejor de este ensayo es, sin duda, su lenguaje sencillo y ameno, que facilita adentrarse en el texto incluso teniendo un nivel mediocre de inglés, como es mi caso. Hay muchísima información condensada entre sus páginas y, de saber esta a poco, las abundantes recomendaciones y la extensa bibliografía permitirán profundizar en los temas presentados a lo largo del libro.
Aún así, este ensayo tiene algunas carencias a destacar:
1) Algunas entradas son escuetas en exceso y a menudo se repite información.
2) Hay muy pocas imágenes. Más ilustraciones hubieran sido de agradecer de cara a visualizar ciertos conceptos y deidades mencionados en el libro.
3) Es una pena que el autor no haya incluido la escritura japonesa de los términos y nombres que emplea a lo largo del libro.
De todas formas, considero que las virtudes de 'Handbook of Japanese Mythology' sobrepasan con creces sus defectos. No dudo en recomendar este libro a todo aquel que esté interesado en introducirse en el fascinante mundo de las religiones japonesas y su intrincada mitología.
February 7, 2018
Five starts if he had provided kanji for entries.. Should be standard for reference material like this.
July 23, 2018
Informative.
February 25, 2013
8 Millionen Geister...
...tummeln sich angeblich in der japanischen Mythologie. Dort werden sie "kami" genannt, und umfassen alles, was man in Europa eher Götter, Dämonen, Engel, Kobolde, Monster, Oger, Gestaltwandler, Sukkubi oder auch menschliche Helden nennen würde. Von Amaterasu-o-mikami bis Yushkep Kamui, von Susano-Wo bis Yoshitsune, von Kamikaze bis Shaka findet man in dieser Enzyklopädie immer einen Eintrag über eine große Anzahl dieser "kami" (bevor Enttäuschung entsteht: Es sind nicht alle 8 Millionen gelistet). Pro Eintrag schwankt die Länge zwischen einem Absatz und eineinhalb Seiten, ist also kurz und prägnant - immer sind Literaturangaben vorhanden, unter denen man sich dann mehr Material zur respektiven Kreatur besorgen kann.
Als Nachschlagewerk ist dieses Werk daher sehr gut geeignet; es bietet aber noch mehr: Für mich persönlich ist die Einführung, die sich über die ersten 100 Seiten erstreckt, sehr lesenswert. Sie erklärt die unterschiedlichen Einflüsse der Religionen wie Buddhismus und Shintoismus ebenso wie die der verschiedenen Kulturen Japans von Okinawa bis zu den Ainu. Der Unterschied zwischen der "großen" Tradition des Yamato-Staats und der "kleinen", lokalen Tradition wird auch sehr erhellend erläutert. Der distanzierte, aber gleichzeitig dezent ironische Stil des Autors, der sich selbst und auch die Thematik nicht immer bierernst nimmt, ist sehr lesbar und unterhaltsam.
Der einzige Mangel, den ich ausmachen kann, ist, dass so eine Enzyklopädie nur eingeschränkt zur Lektüre taugt - es ist halt doch mehr ein Nachschlagewerk. Die Schwarzweiß-Abbildungen sind darüberhinaus auch zu selten, um wirklich auch einen optischen Eindruck der Mythenwelt Japans zu hinterlassen - dazu empfehle ich dann eher Werke wie das herausragende Mythical Beasts of Japan.
Ein sehr weißes und angenehm satiniertes Papier, ein kontrastreicher Druck sowie eine feste Bindung und eine schöne Covergestaltung runden das ganze ab. Wer bestimmte Wesen der japanischen Mythologie bisher nur dem Namen nach kennt, und einen kulturwissenschaftlichen Abriss über diese sehr facettenreiche Legendengeschichte erfahren möchte, ist hier genau richtig. Wer eher gern eine belletristische Nacherzählung ostasiatischer Mythen hätte, muss woanders suchen.
...tummeln sich angeblich in der japanischen Mythologie. Dort werden sie "kami" genannt, und umfassen alles, was man in Europa eher Götter, Dämonen, Engel, Kobolde, Monster, Oger, Gestaltwandler, Sukkubi oder auch menschliche Helden nennen würde. Von Amaterasu-o-mikami bis Yushkep Kamui, von Susano-Wo bis Yoshitsune, von Kamikaze bis Shaka findet man in dieser Enzyklopädie immer einen Eintrag über eine große Anzahl dieser "kami" (bevor Enttäuschung entsteht: Es sind nicht alle 8 Millionen gelistet). Pro Eintrag schwankt die Länge zwischen einem Absatz und eineinhalb Seiten, ist also kurz und prägnant - immer sind Literaturangaben vorhanden, unter denen man sich dann mehr Material zur respektiven Kreatur besorgen kann.
Als Nachschlagewerk ist dieses Werk daher sehr gut geeignet; es bietet aber noch mehr: Für mich persönlich ist die Einführung, die sich über die ersten 100 Seiten erstreckt, sehr lesenswert. Sie erklärt die unterschiedlichen Einflüsse der Religionen wie Buddhismus und Shintoismus ebenso wie die der verschiedenen Kulturen Japans von Okinawa bis zu den Ainu. Der Unterschied zwischen der "großen" Tradition des Yamato-Staats und der "kleinen", lokalen Tradition wird auch sehr erhellend erläutert. Der distanzierte, aber gleichzeitig dezent ironische Stil des Autors, der sich selbst und auch die Thematik nicht immer bierernst nimmt, ist sehr lesbar und unterhaltsam.
Der einzige Mangel, den ich ausmachen kann, ist, dass so eine Enzyklopädie nur eingeschränkt zur Lektüre taugt - es ist halt doch mehr ein Nachschlagewerk. Die Schwarzweiß-Abbildungen sind darüberhinaus auch zu selten, um wirklich auch einen optischen Eindruck der Mythenwelt Japans zu hinterlassen - dazu empfehle ich dann eher Werke wie das herausragende Mythical Beasts of Japan.
Ein sehr weißes und angenehm satiniertes Papier, ein kontrastreicher Druck sowie eine feste Bindung und eine schöne Covergestaltung runden das ganze ab. Wer bestimmte Wesen der japanischen Mythologie bisher nur dem Namen nach kennt, und einen kulturwissenschaftlichen Abriss über diese sehr facettenreiche Legendengeschichte erfahren möchte, ist hier genau richtig. Wer eher gern eine belletristische Nacherzählung ostasiatischer Mythen hätte, muss woanders suchen.
October 15, 2013
OK, so this is not going to be confused with any type of classic literature. But based on the subject matter and what I wanted to get out of it, it was rather good.
February 28, 2015
A good reference guide to anything you need to know about Japan dieties and myths. Very clear overviews.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews