Japanese Myths by Melanie Clegg

Japanese Myths by Melanie Clegg

Japan’s origin story dates from the eight century CE, written in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. From the first creation of heaven, earth and the Japanese archipelago from the tip of a spear by the gods Izanagi and Izanami, Shinto and Buddhist traditions make up the cornerstones of Japanese mythology. Japanese Myths provides a clear, concise introduction to this fascinating if little- known world. Find out about Hachiman (八幡神), the mighty god of war and the divine protector of Japan and its people. Marvel at Fujin (風神), 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 (布袋), 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. Illustrated with 150 photographs and artworks, 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.

What sets this book apart is Clegg's ability to blend scholarly research, travel writing and sociological analysis into one accessible and charming guideHer summaries reflect her expertise and experiences of living in Japan, offering readers a glimpse into the nuances of Japanese culture … 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 … this book would make a lovely gift for someone with a developing interest in Japan.

-- Amanda Savita Alexander * EastWestNotes.com *

When I picked up this book, I expected it to be a layman's guide to Japanese myths, maybe even like a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collection of short stories explaining them. Looking back, I have no idea why I thought that. It's actually better than that. Clegg's book is essentially a textbook-level comprehensive view of how Japanese belief has changed with its history, and it's an excellent reference.

-- Samuel Morris * NetGalley *

Melanie Clegg holds a BA (Hons) in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford. After almost a decade spent in Japan, she now resides in the UK where she works as a freelance Japanese to English translator of video games and other entertainment media. She lives with her husband and their two one-eyed cats.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781838863180
ISBN 10	1838863184
Title	Japanese Myths
Author	Melanie Clegg
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Amber Books Ltd
Year published	2023-11-07
Number of pages	224
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable