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Handbook of Japanese Mythology (Handbooks of World Mythology) Paperback – March 11, 2008

by Michael Ashkenazi (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 111 ratings
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Japanese gods, too numerous to count, are known collectively as yaoyorozu-no-kamigami--the eight million. They are the cast of a vast, complex mythology that encompasses two religions, three cultures, and three millennia, one whose ancient deities are still hard at work today.
Handbook of Japanese Mythology makes it easy to travel this vast yet little-known mythological landscape. The book reveals the origins of Japan's 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 Japan's encounters with modernization. It then offers vivid retellings of the central Shinto and Buddhist myths, plus descriptions of major historical figures, icons, rituals, and events.
For students or long-time enthusiasts, it is the ideal guide for investigating Japanese reverence for the sun, the imperial family, and the virtues of purity and loyalty. Readers will also learn why sumo wrestlers stomp before each match, how a fussy baby creates thunder, why Japan has a god for soccer, and much more.
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Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Handbooks of World Mythology
  2. Print length
    375 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    March 11, 2008
  6. Dimensions
    9.1 x 6.09 x 0.84 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0195332628
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0195332629
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Book Description

An introductory guide to the mythology of Japan-- one of the most pervasive yet least understood facets of Japanese culture

About the Author

Michael Ashkenazi is a professional writer and the author of numerous scholarly and encyclopedia articles on Japanese religion and culture. His published works include Matsuri: The Festivals of a Japanese Town, The Essence of Japanese Cuisine, and Sex, Sexuality, and the Anthropologist with Fran Markowitz.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (March 11, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 375 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0195332628
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195332629
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.1 x 6.09 x 0.84 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 111 ratings

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
111 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lisa
5.0 out of 5 stars i was happy to finally have found a book such as that
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2016
Verified Purchase
it was really hard for me to find a book on Japanese mythology that didn't just talk about the stories that were handed down. I was looking for more details into the history itself. i was happy to finally have found a book such as that.
8 people found this helpful
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Kit Crumpton
5.0 out of 5 stars Great research book!
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2019
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I bought this book for my personal library. I use it as a research source. It's a keeper!
One person found this helpful
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Tom
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Tool
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
Cant put it down, so many things to learn and understand of their culture.
One person found this helpful
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Wonderwoman-aka Mum
5.0 out of 5 stars Great source for Japanese History and Mythology
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2019
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Book was very informative and well structured.
One person found this helpful
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Sipes
5.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Mythology
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2019
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It was just what I wanted.
One person found this helpful
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Merrily Baird
4.0 out of 5 stars Japanese Mythology: Expert definition but inadequate illustrations and artistic context.
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2015
Verified Purchase
Dr. Michael Ashkenazi's "Handbook of Japanese Mythology" is an expert study that deserves a prominent place on the shelves of many japanophiles, including those devoted to religious studies and such early sources as the "Kojiki" and "Nihongi," as well as those who more broadly study the roots of world myth. In this regard, the most valuable part of Ashkenazi's volume are Chapters 1 and 2, which in 108 pages provide chronological context and examine what the author terms "mythic time and space." Chapter 3, which then runs to page 298, is an alphabetical dictionary of people, deities, imaginary creatures, and a few stories picked up in literature and the theater .

The book is less useful for readers seeking to identify Japanese woodblock prints, tattoos, kimono motifs, netsuke carvings, sword furnishings, and porcelains, all of which are among the world's most subject-matter oriented. This is due in the first instance to the book's paucity of illustrations, and in the second case to the author's emphasis on the definition of personalities and creatures at the expense of discussing how they are visually represented. Take one example, that of the "rakan." These Buddhist worthies appear not only at temples in multiples of 500 but also feature on the Satsuma porcelains known as "dragonware." In the context of these porcelains, westerners tend to misidentify them as the "thousand faces theme" or even as Taoist Immortals.
14 people found this helpful
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The Evil Ink
5.0 out of 5 stars Great insight into Japanese culture.
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2014
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Great for people in academics or have a deep interest in Japan. This is an academic book, so if you don't like reading it is not the book for you.
5 people found this helpful
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G. Cantor
5.0 out of 5 stars Good overview
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2018
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Good place to start if you're interested in Japanese mythology
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

C.Sada
5.0 out of 5 stars Genial
Reviewed in Spain on June 14, 2021
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😁
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Abby G
5.0 out of 5 stars Really interesting read. Lacks pictures, but worth the sacrifice.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2020
Verified Purchase
I've really started to enjoy reading this. It's really in depth about many aspects of Japanese mythology. It does have a couple pictures to match but not as many as I hoped. but isn't much of an issue. Would highly recommend. Very informative.
3 people found this helpful
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Juan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Reviewed in Germany on January 26, 2020
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Great book
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Elisa
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I own on the subject
Reviewed in Japan on January 10, 2022
Verified Purchase
The book is actually a glossary about the different God's. But the introduction part is very interesting.
It may be a little difficult to read if you have no knowledge on the subject but it's extremely well documented and it even gives you insight on Japanese society today.
I live in Japan and my friends are sometimes amazed at my knowledge, mainly thanks to this book.
I totally recommend it
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petezy
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2015
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Excellent
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