Japanese folklore encompasses the spirits, creatures, and figures enshrined in the folk traditions of Japan and the Japanese people. These legends, fables, and myths are heavily influenced by the two primary religions of Japan, Shinto and Buddhism, and have been passed down orally and through literary sources for centuries. Similarly, Japanese mythology draws on a combination of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, where powerful deities and supernatural creatures serve as key influences in Japanese religious tradition.
Often humorous but on occasion also quite disturbing, these beguiling narratives are layered with bizarre and outlandish characters associated with the forces of nature, geographical features, and the spirits of the dead. And, in some cases, they have provided a creation story for Japan itself.
Intrigued? Click through for selected tales from the Land of the Rising Sun.