Japanese Folklore

Japanese mythology offers a fascinating lens from which to gaze upon the natural world. Through tales of heroic samurai, creepy vengeful ghosts, and deities that wield the mighty powers of nature, these stories and mythical figures emphasize the importance of humans living harmoniously with their surroundings. It is often said that in order to understand a country’s culture and history, one needs to simply look at the stories they tell about the world around them.

Published in 1980 by Japanese author Haruki Murakami, Pnball, 1973 is the second book in the "Trilogy of the Rat" series. It is preceded by Hear the Wind Sing (1979) and followed by A Wild Sheep Chase (1982), and is the second novel written by Murakami...

The first novel in a dazzling fantasy trilogy inspired by Japanese folklore and Studio Ghibli films like Spirited Away, set within a mythical archipelago brimming with dragons and Sun Spirits, high-tech hackers and bubble tea. Life is hard for the inhabitants of Rainshadow City, a place where...

Enter a land of gods, samurai, and spirits—where ancient stories still echo today. Japanese Legends isn’t just another dry history book—it reveals how sacred myths still shape Japan’s festivals, rituals, and national identity. Whether you're drawn to samurai history, yokai tales, or the traditions of shrines and emperors, this book offers a fresh, accessible way to explore the myths and legends that built Japan.

From Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling to Satyajit Ray and R. K. Narayan, this text is a collection of spine-chilling tales of the supernatural from India...

Have you ever wondered about the origin of the terrifying Wendigo? How about the Philippine shape-shifting vampire? What about the Māori forest spirits? Join award winning podcaster and researcher Kamuela Kaneshiro as he takes you on a thrilling trip through Asia, the Americas, and other fascinating cultures touching the Pacific Ocean. And as you marvel at this captivating assortment of deities, monsters, and historical backdrops, you’re sure to have your imagination sparked by the wonders of the world.

Meet the magical, mystical, and miraculous! This exceptional guide is not for the fainthearted, bringing you up against fire-breathing dragons, shapeshifting beasts, and much, much more... How do you create a chimera? Can you spot a kappa from a kraken? Why do banshees scream at night? Did...

In this thrilling new adventure, Tessa Miyata and her best friend Jin must battle the gods... and win. With magic abound and stakes higher than ever, this is a perfect pick for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers! After her first adventure in Tokyo, Tessa Miyata is having the best summer of...

This thrilling and charming middle grade fantasy steeped in Japanese lore and mythology follows Tessa after she breaks a precious family heirloom, sending her on a wild adventure to save herself, her family—and all of Tokyo. Tessa Miyata has never fit in. When she and her two sisters are...

Each story reveals a piece of the Japanese spirit and shows how these old tales still matter today. Download this audiobook to start your journey into the world of Japanese folktales and legends!

"Since time immemorial, India has been an ocean bed over which numerous stories have flowed and enriched the world. Storytellers from Tulsidas to Rohinton Mistry have added their magic to this magnificent repository. Inspired in part by Somadeva’s Kathasaritasagara, William Radice collects...

Japanese folklore is abundant with tales of ghostly creatures and the supernatural. In Haunted Japan, author Catrien Ross reveals the legends that have been passed down for generations and continue to terrify us today.

Japan has seen the rise and fall of emperors, samurai warriors, isolation, expansion, defeat, rebirth, and much more. In this book we explore the magnificent history of Japan from its early origins to its rise as a modern superpower.

So here I am, delving into the past like Monsieur Poirot, not to solve a mystery, but to try to understand some of the events that have helped define the sort of person I have become. Some of it, naturally, is in the genes; but much of it is in the environment, in the circumstances in which we...

「わかりやすい文章で日本の古代史がすんなり入ってくる。なんとなく疑問に思っていたことがすっきりし、一気読みでした」〔読者カードより〕など、好評を得た単行本がついに文庫化！

La mitología japonesa ofrece una mirada asombrosa sobre el mundo natural. A través de historias de heroicos samuráis, espeluznantes fantasmas vengativos y deidades que ejercen el poder de la naturaleza, junto a otras figuras míticas, se enfatiza la importancia de que los humanos vivan armoniosamente con su entorno.

The two conquering countries of the Second World War have not just been active in the 20th century, but both of their histories date way back. However, many of the things they did in the early days of their developing nations and peoples were based on the things they believed. Some of these beliefs were mythological creatures, nature spirits, symbols, and actual gods and goddesses with supernatural powers. In this guide, you will learn about some of the most intriguing of these.

"WA" is a Japanese word that describes, or encompasses, the “essence” of what it is to “be Japanese”. This spirit is intricately woven throughout these stories as fantastic creatures, fearsome monsters, animals that are all too human, and people that are, well, all too human too. They make choices and fateful decisions that'll take each character on journeys that are terrifying and miraculous, whimsical and thought-provoking, mysterious, magical, and uniquely Japanese. Come along and join them, as life’s lessons are learned, or sometimes not.