Download or read book Hindu Gods and Goddesses in Japan written by Saroj Kumar Chaudhuri and published by Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd. This book was released on 2003 with total page 222 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Buddhism introduced many Hindu Gods and Goddesses to the Japanese. The rulers were the first to be attracted to them. Historical records show that they earnestly believed in the miracles of these divinities promised in the sutras. Many miracle stories started appearing in popular literature as the divinities percolated down to the masses. The resulting naturalisation process in the case of some divinities went to the extent that they became an integral part of the native Shinto pantheon. Their popularity remains unabated even today. The Tantric Buddhist sects also played a vital role in propagating the divinities. They regularly worshipped the divinities in their temples where people thronged in large numbers. Many steps in these ceremonies, for instance, the homa ritual, are very familiar to the present-day Hindus. The monks have also produced a considerable volume of religious literature related to these divinities. Descriptions of many divinities show that they have not changed substantially over centuries. A study of these writings also shows that a large volume of Hindu myths and legends related to these deities were transmitted to Japan. These writings are also a testimony to the way the ancestors of the present-day Hindus thought about these deities, say, around the eighth or ninth century of the Christian era.
Download or read book Japanese Gods Heroes and Mythology written by Tammy Gagne and published by ABDO. This book was released on 2018-12-15 with total page 51 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The hero Momotaro, the sun goddess Amaterasu, and the Buddha are important subjects of Japanese mythology. Japanese Gods, Heroes, and Mythology explores the gods, heroes, creatures, and stories of Japanese mythology, in addition to examining their influence today. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Download or read book Dialectics of the Goddess in Japanese Audiovisual Culture written by Lorenzo J. Torres Hortelano and published by Lexington Books. This book was released on 2017-12-01 with total page 185 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Through provocative essays by specialists in different aspects of Japanese culture, this book provides an historical and analytical survey of the presence of Goddesses in Japanese audiovisual culture from its origins to the present day. It shows how these feminine myths are represented in Japan; not only as beneficial or creative deities, but also the archetypal strong or dominant woman that sometimes overshadows masculine figures and heroes, or as influential figures. Therefore, it analyzes this rich dialectic of the feminine and how the audiovisual culture has represented it thus far in film, TV series, and video games made in Japan. While many theories have been proposed to explain the presence of Goddesses in Japan, this book’s focus on audiovisual culture explores how this corpus challenges the traditional conceptions of the feminine as related to Goddesses.
Download or read book Japanese Mythology A to Z written by Jeremy Roberts and published by Infobase Publishing. This book was released on 2009 with total page 163 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Suitable for those with an interest in mythology or Japanese culture, this title covers: the early Japanese deities who created the world and the later deities who protect it; Kami, the spirits of all aspects of the living world; animals and mythological creatures; demons and bogeymen; and, shrines and other sacred places.
Download or read book Handbook of Japanese Mythology written by Michael Ahskenazi and published by OUP USA. This book was released on 2008-03-20 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Originally published: Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, c2003.
Download or read book Japanese Mythology written by Jim Ollhoff and published by ABDO Publishing Company. This book was released on 2011-08-15 with total page 34 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who is Hachiman? What is the Seven Gods of Fortune? Why are myths so important in our lives? Myths are a rich source of history. People use them to make sense of our world. Even before myths were written down, people told and retold the stories of the gods and goddesses of their homeland. Readers of Japanese Mythology will learn the history of myths, as well as their deeper meaning. From the ruler of the heavens Amaterasu to Ryujin, the dragon-king of the sea, this book helps kids understand the myths that shape and direct people's lives. Abdo & Daughters is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.
Download or read book The Japanese Myths written by Joshua Frydman and published by Thames & Hudson. This book was released on 2022-04-07 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is a smart and succinct guide to the rich tradition of Japanese mythology, from the earliest recorded legends of Izanagi and Izanami, their divine offspring and the creation of Japan, to medieval tales of vengeful ghosts, through to the modern-day reincarnation of ancient deities as the heroes of mecha anime. While many around the world love Japans cultural exports, few are familiar with Japans unique mythology - enriched by Shinto, Buddhism and regional folklore. Mythology remains a living, evolving part of Japanese society, and the ways in which the people of Japan understand their myths are very different today even from a century ago, let alone over a millennium into the past. Offering much more than any competing overview of Japanese mythology, The Japanese Myths not only retells the ancient stories but also considers their place within the patterns of Japanese religions, culture and history, helping readers to understand the deep links between past and present in Japan, and the ways these myths live and grow. Joshua Frydman takes the very earliest written myths in the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki as his starting point, and from there traces Japans mythology through to post-war State Shinto, the rise of the manga industry in the 1960s, J-horror and modern-day myths. Reinventions and retellings of myth are present across all genres of contemporary Japanese culture, from its auteur cinema to renowned video games such as Okami. This book is for anyone interested in Japan, as knowing its myths allows readers to understand and appreciate its culture in a new light.
Download or read book Japanese Goddesses written by Samuel Shepherd and published by Samuel Shepherd. This book was released on 101-01-01 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 📚✨ **Unveil the Mysteries of the Divine Feminine with "Japanese Goddesses"** ✨📚 Discover the enchanting world of Japanese mythology with our captivating four-part series, **"Japanese Goddesses"**. Each volume in this collection delves deep into the lives and legacies of four powerful goddesses whose influence has shaped the spiritual and cultural landscape of Japan for centuries. Whether you are a mythology enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the divine feminine, this series offers a profound and immersive experience. 🌸🌟 **Book 1 - Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess and the Divine Light of Japan** 🌞🌟 Step into the radiant world of Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess whose light has guided and inspired Japan throughout its history. This book explores her divine role, from her celestial origins to her pivotal place in the imperial lineage. Learn about her legendary feats, including the dramatic tale of her retreat into a cave and the efforts of the gods to lure her back into the world of light. Uncover the story of how Amaterasu’s brilliance continues to illuminate the cultural and spiritual life of Japan today. 📖✨ **Book 2 - Izanami: The Mother of Creation and the Shadow of Death** 🌌🌑 Explore the profound narrative of Izanami, the primordial goddess of creation and death. This volume delves into her pivotal role in the formation of Japan and her complex relationship with the realms of life and death. Discover how Izanami's story reveals the deep connections between creation, mortality, and the cyclical nature of existence. Her legacy as both a nurturing mother and a shadowy figure of the underworld offers a unique perspective on the dualities that shape our world. 📚🔮 **Book 3 - Uzume: The Dance of Dawn and the Spirit of Joy** 🌅💃 Celebrate the joyous spirit of Uzume, the goddess who danced away darkness and restored light to the world. Known for her exuberance and revelry, Uzume’s tale is one of laughter, dance, and the power of joy to overcome adversity. This book captures her spirited dance that brought the sun goddess out of her cave and revitalized the world. Dive into the vibrant culture of celebration and discover how Uzume’s legacy of joy continues to inspire and uplift. 🎉🌈 **Book 4 - Benzaiten: The Muse of Music, Art, and Prosperity** 🎶💫 Enter the realm of Benzaiten, the goddess of music, art, and prosperity. This volume explores how Benzaiten's divine influence extends across the arts and financial success. From her origins to her role as a muse for artists and a patroness of prosperity, learn how Benzaiten’s blessings shape the creative and economic aspects of life. Her enduring legacy in contemporary Japanese culture reflects the powerful intersection of artistic inspiration and material well-being. 🎨💰 **"Japanese Goddesses"** is a celebration of the divine feminine in Japanese mythology, offering insights into the timeless stories that continue to resonate through the ages. Perfect for readers of all backgrounds, this series brings to life the myths and legends of Amaterasu, Izanami, Uzume, and Benzaiten, revealing their profound impact on both ancient traditions and modern culture. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the divine light, creativity, and joy embodied by these extraordinary goddesses. 🌺📚�� Get your copies today and embark on a journey through the divine realms of Japanese mythology! 🌟📖🛒
Download or read book Myths and Legends of Japan written by Frederick Hadland Davis and published by Library of Alexandria. This book was released on 2020-09-28 with total page 580 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Pierre Loti in Madame Chrysanthème, Gilbert and Sullivan in The Mikado, and Sir Edwin Arnold in Seas and Lands, gave us the impression that Japan was a real fairyland in the Far East. We were delighted with the prettiness and quaintness of that country, and still more with the prettiness and quaintness of the Japanese people. We laughed at their topsy-turvy ways, regarded the Japanese woman, in her rich-coloured kimono, as altogether charming and fascinating, and had a vague notion that the principal features of Nippon were the tea-houses, cherry-blossom, and geisha. Twenty years ago we did not take Japan very seriously. We still listen to the melodious music of The Mikado, but now we no longer regard Japan as a sort of glorified willow-pattern plate. The Land of the Rising Sun has become the Land of the Risen Sun, for we have learnt that her quaintness and prettiness, her fairy-like manners and customs, were but the outer signs of a great and progressive nation. To-day we recognise Japan as a power in the East, and her victory over the Russian has made her army and navy famous throughout the world. The Japanese have always been an imitative nation, quick to absorb and utilise the religion, art, and social life of China, and, having set their own national seal upon what they have borrowed from the Celestial Kingdom, to look elsewhere for material that should strengthen and advance their position. This imitative quality is one of Japan's most marked characteristics. She has ever been loath to impart information to others, but ready at all times to gain access to any form of knowledge likely to make for her advancement. In the fourteenth century Kenkō wrote in his Tsure-dzure-gusa: "Nothing opens one's eyes so much as travel, no matter where," and the twentieth-century Japanese has put this excellent advice into practice. He has travelled far and wide, and has made good use of his varied observations. Japan's power of imitation amounts to genius. East and West have contributed to her greatness, and it is a matter of surprise to many of us that a country so long isolated and for so many years bound by feudalism should, within a comparatively short space of time, master our Western system of warfare, as well as many of our ethical and social ideas, and become a great world-power. But Japan's success has not been due entirely to clever imitation, neither has her place among the foremost nations been accomplished with such meteor-like rapidity as some would have us suppose. We hear a good deal about the New Japan to-day, and are too prone to forget the significance of the Old upon which the present régime has been founded. Japan learnt from England, Germany and America all the tactics of modern warfare. She established an efficient army and navy on Western lines; but it must be remembered that Japan's great heroes of to-day, Togo and Oyama, still have in their veins something of the old samurai spirit, still reflect through their modernity something of the meaning of Bushido. The Japanese character is still Japanese and not Western. Her greatness is to be found in her patriotism, in her loyalty and whole-hearted love of her country. Shintōism has taught her to revere the mighty dead; Buddhism, besides adding to her religious ideals, has contributed to her literature and art, and Christianity has had its effect in introducing all manner of beneficent social reforms. There are many conflicting theories in regard to the racial origin of the Japanese people, and we have no definite knowledge on the subject. The first inhabitants of Japan were probably the Ainu, an Aryan people who possibly came from North-Eastern Asia at a time when the distance separating the Islands from the mainland was not so great as it is to-day. The Ainu were followed by two distinct Mongol invasions, and these invaders had no difficulty in subduing their predecessors; but in course of time the Mongols were driven northward by Malays from the Philippines. "By the year A.D. 500 the Ainu, the Mongol, and the Malay elements in the population had become one nation by much the same process as took place in England after the Norman Conquest. To the national characteristics it may be inferred that the Ainu contributed the power of resistance, the Mongol the intellectual qualities, and the Malay that handiness and adaptability which are the heritage of sailor-men." Such authorities as Baelz and Rein are of the opinion that the Japanese are Mongols, and although they have intermarried with the Ainu, "the two nations," writes Professor B. H. Chamberlain, "are as distinct as the whites and reds in North America." In spite of the fact that the Ainu is looked down upon in Japan, and regarded as a hairy aboriginal of interest to the anthropologist and the showman, a poor despised creature, who worships the bear as the emblem of strength and fierceness, he has, nevertheless, left his mark upon Japan. Fuji was possibly a corruption of Huchi, or Fuchi, the Ainu Goddess of Fire, and there is no doubt that these aborigines originated a vast number of geographical names, particularly in the north of the main island, that are recognisable to this day. We can also trace Ainu influence in regard to certain Japanese superstitions, such as the belief in the Kappa, or river monster.
Download or read book Hindu Deities Worshipped in Japan written by Mihoko Hiraoka and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Japan s Sexual Gods written by Stephen Turnbull and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2015-05-19 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Japan’s Sexual Gods is an authoritative and original work that describes the unique deities represented by sexual objects in certain Japanese shrines and temples. Hundreds of sexual shrines still exist in spite of previous repression and range from the Tagata Shrine with its well-known giant festival phallus to small obscure places. Many also contain female sexual imagery and some phalluses act in a protective role. The study is based on observations of over 500 sexual sites including phallic festivals, many of which are modern inventions created purely for commercial reasons. The study makes an assessment of the place of sexual beliefs in modern Japan and includes almost 300 stunning original photographs, a glossary and a highly detailed map.
Download or read book Dialectics of the Goddess in Japanese Audiovisual Culture written by Lorenzo J. Torres Hortelano and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This collection of essays analyzes the audiovisual representation of goddesses in Japanese popular culture. It proposes a dialectics of the different conceptions of the feminine as taken up in Japanese film, television, and video games.
Download or read book Amaterasu written by Paul D. Storrie and published by Graphic Universe ™. This book was released on 2007-01-01 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This graphic novel tells the story of Amaterasu, the Japanese Shinto goddess of the sun. Amaterasu’s parents create the first eight islands of Japan. Amaterasu’s father later puts his children in charge of parts of the natural world. Beautiful and kindly Amaterasu is made the goddess of the sun. But her brother, Susano, god of the sea and storms, is jealous of his sister’s position. In fear of Susano’s temper, Amaterasu hides in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods and goddesses must come up with a clever plan to lure Amaterasu from her hiding place and restore order to the world.
Download or read book Ukiyoe Tarot Deck written by Koji Furuta and published by U S Games Systems. This book was released on 1982-06-01 with total page 78 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: /U.S. Games Systems, Inc. The beautiful imagery of Japanese art is depicted in the Ukiyoe Tarot deck in full color. Cards are numbered and titled in both English and Japanese and measure 2 3/8"
Download or read book The Goddesses of Japan written by Kazuko Nishimura and published by . This book was released on 2019-02-17 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Goddesses of Japan is a history-based book, entirely narrated by unsung heroines - a goddess, a sovereign, a mother, a wife, a warrior, a lover - who enacts in the forefront or moves in the background to influence the fate of the country, changing forever the fabric of its society. The Deities Izanami and Izanagi are appointed the Creators of the New World - the Land of the Rising Sun. A beautiful love relationship develops between them during the Creation phase, but fate sets them apart forever. Their offspring fight for hegemony over the land and Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess emerges victorious. Her descendants become the Rulers of the new world and founds the legendary Yamato Dynasty, in which every sovereign is invested with the Three Sacred Imperial Regalia; an act that makes their prerogative to the Chrysanthemum Throne unique and incontestable. Though, through the ancient times they make alliances with powerful aristocratic families and warrior clans in order to survive treachery and rivalries; with the emergence of the Samurai class, the Imperial House loses grip on state affairs and for almost a century and half, the country is engulfed in brutal civil wars. The sword becomes the law and the strong feeds on the weak in a dynamic interchange of power, where there is always one who is yet stronger than the strong. Stealthy agents called Ninja enter the scene, worsening the situation, yet help the process of reunification of the country. With the introduction of Christianity, the new rulers fear to become a European subject; hence, they isolate the entire nation from the outside world. After more than two centuries of seclusion, the political power is finally restored to the Emperor, who opens the borders, but perhaps it is too late for Japan to recover from its medieval slumbering...
Download or read book Protectors and Predators written by Bernard Faure and published by University of Hawaii Press. This book was released on 2015-12-31 with total page 514 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Written by one of the leading scholars of Japanese religion, Protectors and Predators is the second installment of a multivolume project that promises to be a milestone in our understanding of the mythico-ritual system of esoteric Buddhism—specifically the nature and roles of deities in the religious world of medieval Japan and beyond. Bernard Faure introduces readers to medieval Japanese religiosity and shows the centrality of the gods in religious discourse and ritual. Throughout he engages theoretical insights drawn from structuralism, post-structuralism, and Actor-Network Theory to retrieve the “implicit pantheon” (as opposed to the “explicit orthodox pantheon”) of esoteric Japanese Buddhism (Mikkyō). His work is particularly significant given its focus on the deities’ multiple and shifting representations, overlappings, and modes of actions rather than on individual characters and functions. In Protectors and Predators Faure argues that the “wild” gods of Japan were at the center of the medieval religious landscape and came together in complex webs of association not divisible into the categories of “Buddhist,” “indigenous,” or “Shinto.” Furthermore, among the most important medieval gods, certain ones had roots in Hinduism, others in Daoism and Yin-Yang thought. He displays vast knowledge of his subject and presents his research—much of it in largely unstudied material—with theoretical sophistication. His arguments and analyses assume the centrality of the iconographic record as a complement to the textual record, and so he has brought together a rich and rare collection of more than 170 color and black-and-white images. This emphasis on iconography and the ways in which it complements, supplements, or deconstructs textual orthodoxy is critical to a fuller comprehension of a set of medieval Japanese beliefs and practices and offers a corrective to the traditional division of the field into religious studies, which typically ignores the images, and art history, which oftentimes overlooks their ritual and religious meaning. Protectors and Predators and its companion volumes should persuade readers that the gods constituted a central part of medieval Japanese religion and that the latter cannot be reduced to a simplistic confrontation, parallelism, or complementarity between some monolithic teachings known as “Buddhism” and “Shinto.” Once these reductionist labels and categories are discarded, a new and fascinating religious landscape begins to unfold.
