Often dark but full of humor, japanese literature showcases the idiosyncrasies of such a culturally driven nation. The book reveals the origins of japans myths in the very different realms of buddhism, shinto, and folklore, and explores related mythologies of the ainu and. Sometimes called an enraenra it is a form of japanese monster or yokai. The shinto religion alone has many kami japanese for gods or spirits most japanese myths, as generally known today, are based on the kojiki, nihonshoki and some other books. Readers of japanese mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. Japanese mythology includes a vast number of gods, goddesses, and spirits. It seems to be loosely based on a passage in tsurezure gusa which describes the smoke rising from fires burned in the summer to keep mosquitoes away. From mythical foxes and shapeshifting raccoon dogs to vengeful spirits and humaneating spiders, japanese folklore is full of fascinating creatures born from peoples observations of the inexplicable.
While enenra has the potential to inflict multiple enemies with status effects, her innate probability is too low for one hit attack to proc. Japanese mythology is a collection of traditional stories, folktales, and beliefs that emerged in the islands of the japanese archipelago. The enenra are creatures of smoke and vapor who possess a shapeless form in the mortal kombat universe. Medieval european mythology folklore book of imaginary creatures, heraldry. It floats about as it climbs into the air, billowing in the wind, and appearing as fragile as a piece of delicate silk dancing in the breeze. Popular japanese mythology books goodreads share book. The creation myth comes from the kojiki, or record of ancient matters, the first book written in japan dating back to 712 and the nihon shoki finished in 720. It is also said that an enenra can only be seen by the purehearted. My favorite mythologyfolklore and cryptid monsters collected by countrycontinent. Enenra, enenra is a yokai that is made out of smoke.
Obscure mythological monsters curiosity quills press. Japanese mythology a to z, second edition is a valuable, colorful reference for anyone with an interest in mythology or japanese culture. Many of them have jumped straight from the pages of myth and into popular culture. In japanese mythology, enenra is a yokai made up of wisps of smoke, which rise up into the sky from a fires, such as the takibi bonfires which farmers light to. It could only be seen by those who have a pure heart. The story begins in a limitless, formless chaos of a dark, silent universe. Japanese mythology by juliet piggott and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Kyonshi the japanese version of the chinese hopping vampire, known as jiangshi. We take a look at 10 japanese books you need to read, from the words of haruki murakami to. Enenra is essentially just a personification of smoke. The history of thousands of years of contact with china, korea, ainu, and okinawan myths are also key influences in japanese mythology. Enenraenraenra yokai japanese smoke monster facebook. Enenra is a smoke and fire yokai that attacks with swift fire tornadoes and powerful blows from its large fists enemy description. Kunekune a tall, slender strip of paper sheet that wiggles on rice or barley fields during hot summer. Japanese mythology enenra is a monster comprised of smoke and wind.
Anime commonly include ideas based on the creation myth, featuring amaterasu, susanoo, izanagi and izanami. Traditional stories of monsters and magic book of japanese mythology, folk tales from japan by chronicle books and kotaro chiba apr 23, 2019. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology book. The japanese culture and arts have been strongly influenced by a widespread belief in ghosts, demons and supernatural spirits. Though the rains they bring might save a village in drought or bring fortune to farmers, they have a more sinister purposeunder the cover of the rain.
The forgotten library japanese mythology enenra is a. The enenra is a shapeless monster made of smoke in japanese mythology. There is a legend that when certain people have died theyve turned into a rare form of enenra who people have mistaken for a grim reaper. The enenra is a creature with origins in japanese mythology, legend and folklore. Naitaka related to the japanese nureonna, these serpentine merfolk are known from the local traditions of several lakes all throughout canada, and are sometimes referred to as aquatic demons. Mar 11, 2008 handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Japanese mythology is a subject filled with some of the most fascinating yet terrifying creatures one is likely to encounter nowadays, even when compared to those found in todays popular media across the world. A captivating guide to japanese folklore, myths, fairy tales, yokai, heroes and heroines explore captivating myths of japanese deities, yokai, heroes and heroines the study of mythology and folklore is a peculiar one to the ext. It is said that an enenra can only be seen by the pure of heart. The muscaliet is so hot it will inflate everything it touches into a burning column of fire. Japanese mythology is collectively chronicled in the kojiki, the oldest historical record written in japan in 712 ad, and in the nihon shoki written in 720. If youre looking for a more challenging, introspective ya read that still captures what its like to be a teenager, this is the mythologyinspired ya novel for you. What are the best books in english about japanese mythology. The book reveals the origins of japans 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 japans encounters with modernization.
Medieval european mythology folklore book of imaginary creatures, heraldry, alchemy, medieval bestiary, roma, leftover european. Enenra was invented by toriyama sekien for his book. The kojiki, which translates to the record of ancient matters, is an ancient document that elaborates the legends and myths of japan. Creatures from around the world my favorite mythologyfolklore and cryptid monsters collected by countrycontinent. Handbook of japanese mythology by michael ashkenazi. Most of the surviving japanese myths are recorded in the kojiki compiled 712. Enenra in 2020 japanese folklore, mythological creatures. For this list, were only considering creatures that originated in japanese folklore and myths, so characters invented for films do not qualify. These 10 supernatural beings, yokai strange monsters and ghosts may be big or small, comical or terrifying. Enma has many advantages over enenra as a control shikigami. It seems to be loosely based on a passage in tsurezure. Discusses the mythology of japan, its origins in shintoism and buddhism, and the gods, spirits, men, and animals that appear in the many legends and stories. It resides in bonfires and when it emerges, it takes the form of a human. Enenra touhou wiki characters, games, locations, and more.
It lives inside bonfires and when the time is right emerges in a human form. It resides in bonfires and, when it emerges, it takes the form of a human. Enenra with images japanese folklore, story books illustrations. Japanese mythology, body of stories compiled from oral traditions concerning the legends, gods, ceremonies, customs, practices, and historical accounts of the japanese people. Mar 08, 2016 for this list, were only considering creatures that originated in japanese folklore and myths, so characters invented for films do not qualify.
The mythology of japan has a long history dating back more than 2,000 years. Jan 24, 2020 the enenra is a creature with origins in japanese mythology, legend and folklore. Within this book, youll find the following japanese myths and topics covered. What are some good books i can get on japanese mythology. He is not an exact enenra from japanese mythology, though i did base a lot of his conceptsabilities off of one, hence the reason why i named him that, lol. Shinto, an indigenous religion, and buddhism, which developed in india and came to japan from china and korea. Enma enenra is remotely comparable to enma in that they are both considered single target controls. Japanese mythology ebook by jim ollhoff nook book ebook.
The book reveals the origins of japans 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 japans encounters with. Japanese mythology is a system of beliefs that includes shinto and buddhist traditions. The birth of amaterasu, trukuyumi, susawono, and the leechchild. The presence of these creatures that are shrouded in and survive on mystery, or yokai, in japanese history stretches deep into the. A yokai composed of smoke and darkness, born from the grudges of humans who met their untimely ends in the dark realm. The second of the four undead, dark elementals, the enenra is spawn from the souls of a burned town or city, anywhere fire killed entire crowds the enenra can spawn, sometimes even multiple enenra spawn from one mass burning. It floats about as it climbs into the air, billowing in the. Though the rains they bring might save a village in drought or bring fortune to farmers, they have a more sinister purposeunder the cover of the rain, ame onna wander the villages looking for newborn girls. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
A kappa is a yokai a class of supernatural monsters and spirits in japanese folklore found in japanese folklore. Shinto and buddhist traditions are the cornerstones of japanese mythology. It appears in toriyama sekiens gazu hyakki yagyou series, in konjaku hyakki shuui. Every book ive seen on their mythology either has only one star on barnes and noble, or only 32 pages, which cant possibly teach me anything. Aug 24, 2017 as much about the bonds of friendship as the rush of first love, this is a complex, layered story. May 23, 2014 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Choose from 51 different sets of japanese mythology flashcards on quizlet. Handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology. I believe abookofcreatures depicted the lamia more like a big horrifying ogre with a bronze leg and. It lives in bonfires and only appears to those who are pure in character. From the ruler of the heavens amaterasu to ryujin, the dragonking of the sea, this book helps kids understand the myths that shape and direct peoples lives.
Japanese mythology dates back 2000 years and melds the beliefs of the shinto and buddhist religions with a focus on creation and the forces of nature. The second of the four undead, dark elementals, the enenra is spawn from the souls of a burned town or city, anywhere fire killed entire crowds the enenra can spawn, sometimes even multiple enenra spawn. Buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn. Feb 02, 2016 i really want to know more about japanese mythology, but i dont know where to look.
Japanese mythology refers to any number of stories involving kami deities or spirits, oni ogres, andor youkai feylike creatures. In japanese mythology this is the name of a yokai, or japanese monster, that is composed of smoke. The raiju is a legendary thunder beast from japanese mythology whose shape might mimic that of a wolf, dog, fox, cat or weasel. An introductory guide to the mythology of japanone of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of japanese culture. The gathering enenra monster made of smoke the shield breaker. I guess you could say hes like an enenra with my own little twist added to it. Enenra was invented by toriyama sekien for his book konjaku hyakki shui. Tomas vrbada was kidnapped when he was a child by an obscure cult who intended to sacrifice him to a demon. Mar 11, 2008 buy handbook of japanese mythology handbooks of world mythology by michael ashkenazi isbn.
It was first featured in the konjaku hyakki shui, circa 1781. The book of the hakutaku, the third volume in my yokai encyclopedia series, is now. Ancient history encyclopedia receives a small commission for each book sold through our. Japanese literature has a long and illustrious history, with its most famous classic, the tale of genji, dating back to the 11th century. Nioh 2s enenra yokai is a hulking demon of smoke and darkness, but it does have crucial weakness players can use to take it down. Usually she takes the form of smoke, hiding herself in obscure places, covertly observing everything going on in this world. Learn japanese mythology with free interactive flashcards. It was first featured in the konjaku hyakki shui, circa 1781 mythology. Japanese mythology simple english wikipedia, the free. It was first featured in the konjaku hyakki shui, ca. They are at times created from the souls of slain mortals, and can return to their physical forms. Handbook of japanese mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet littleknown mythological landscape. Kyokotsu a skeletal figure that emerges from a well.