if you are curious about japan, its art forms and its beliefs, you should read about its mythology. Each detailed mythological character leaves a mark on the lives of the people of the land – he might be religious, but he portrays the culture of the land massively. here is a list of the 10 best books on Japanese mythology. Just as Greek mythology has Zeus and many other gods, goddesses, and monsters that influenced the beginning of art and writing, Japanese mythology has yokai or monsters that play a huge role in Japanese mythology. yokai are strange characters from Japanese mythology, they are spirits that can be malevolent and benevolent with humans. these spirits are described as having supernatural powers and often have animalistic features, but can also appear human in appearance.
the night parade of the hundred demons – matthew meyer
Mathew Meyer captured a massive description and illustration of Japanese yokai or monsters from Japan’s historical folklore, including their origin, food consumption, and more, in this amazing guide to Japanese mythology.
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japanese stories – royall tyler
This book is a collection of 220 fascinating tales from medieval Japan consisting of ghosts, saints, monsters, miracles, demons, and healers. this represents Japanese culture through jokes, legends, ideas of hell, and more.
tales from ancient japan – algernon freeman mitford
this is again a compilation of stories. These stories focus on various aspects of Japan and its life before the Meiji Restoration. The introduction of this book briefly talks about the literature and culture of Japan and also includes some of the rituals witnessed by the author.
kitsune tsuki – laura van arendonk baugh
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In feudal Japan, a warlord has occupied the ryuji tsurugu no kiyomori who is a practitioner of the spiritual arts to keep his new bride safe from the fox spirit said to be nearby. Tsuru and Shishio Hitoshi, a shadow warrior, are challenged to remove the spirit creature from the warlord’s house, if there is one. there will be many secrets and shadows in this book.
the great yokai encyclopedia – richard freeman
richard freeman went all out and wrote about all the monsters: a dragon that impregnates women, blood-sucking trees, evil water sprites, cats that animate corpses, giant corpses that eat rabbits, pigs that steal human genitalia , zombie whales and all that.
monotagari tales of japan – elena n. great
This book is a collection of Japanese folklore that includes jokes, miracles, legends, illustrations by the renowned Katsushika Hokusai. This book will introduce Japanese civilization in the classical period.
a treasure of Japanese folktales – yuri yasuda
This book written by yuri yasuda includes 12 of the greatest Japanese legends and some amazing illustrations and stories that have been told to children generation after generation.
the yokai book – michael dylan foster
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another yokai book, this one is written by michael dylan foster. These creatures are of different shapes and sizes. they are currently popular in computer games, manga, anime, and movies. After years of research, Michael Foster has written down the history, roots, cultural context, and hunters of the Yokai.
the japanese fairy book – yei theodora ozaki
This book was originally written by Sazanami Iwaya and translated by Yei Ozaki. this consists of 22 tales featuring ogres, demons, goblins, sea kings and serpents, magical birds, dragons, princes and princesses, and more.
yokai attacks! – matt alt and hiroko yoda
yokai are like ghosts, spirits or any term you can associate with that type. they all have their definition and description about what they look like and the kind of special features and abilities they possess. This book is composed after gathering information from various sources, including illustrations from 18th century movies.
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