An illustrated guide to the fantastical world of Japanese myths: a summary of key stories and an account of how Japanese mythology has changed over time.

People around the world adore the “export” of Japanese culture—from manga and anime to Zen philosophy. But not all of its fans are familiar with Japan’s unique mythology, enriched by Shintoism, Buddhism, and regional folklore. After all, it is mythology that has largely influenced modern Japanese culture.

'Japanese Myths' is a short guide to Japanese mythology: from the earliest recorded legends of Izanagi and Izanami with their divine descendants and the creation of Japan, to medieval tales of vengeful ghosts and the modern reincarnations of ancient deities as heroes of mecha anime.

Mythology remains a living, developing phenomenon in Japanese society. Today, the Japanese perceive their myths very differently than they did a hundred, let alone a thousand years ago. This book not only presents the plots of ancient legends, but also examines their place in the structure of Japanese religion, culture, and history. All of this will help the reader understand the deep connections between Japan's past and present, and how myths live and evolve. Joshua Friedman takes the earliest written myths in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as his starting point and traces the development of Japanese mythology through post-war State Shinto, the rise of the manga industry in the 1960s, J-horror, and modern myths. Friedman retells legends found in all genres of contemporary Japanese culture, from art-house cinema to acclaimed video games like Okami. This book is for anyone interested in Japan and its culture, which knowledge of mythology allows one to see in a new light.