Religions Buddhism/Shintoism and Japanese Folkore

In Japanese folklore, yokai occupy an important place, representing supernatural creatures with diverse forms and powers. Among these yokai, the Nekomata Bakeneko stands out for its feline appearance and mysterious abilities. In this article, we delve into the world of the Nekomata Bakeneko to learn more about its nature, history and role in traditional Japanese …

Nekomata Bakeneko: Discover the mysterious and fascinating feline yokai Read More »

In the vast pantheon of Japanese mythical creatures, the Tengu occupies a special place. With its humanoid bird-like appearance and supernatural powers, this fascinating creature has captivated the Japanese imagination for centuries. In this article, we delve into the mysterious world of the Tengu, exploring its origins, distinctive features and role in Japanese culture. Origins …

Tengu: A mythical creature between folklore and legend Read More »

Japan is a country rich in folklore and legends, and among the mythical creatures that populate its imagination, ONIs occupy a special place. ONIs, also known as Japanese demons, have a long history dating back many centuries. In this article, we explore the mysterious world of Japanese ONIs, examining their origin, characteristics and role in …

Discovering Japanese ONIs: Between myth and reality Read More »

The Nue is a yokai (supernatural creature from Japanese folklore) with the particularity of being a hybrid being, composed of animal parts from several different species. He is often represented as a mixture of snake, monkey, tanuki (an animal resembling a raccoon dog) and bird. Its silhouette is generally black and its skin is covered …

The Nue: a mysterious yokai from Japanese mythology Read More »

Yokai are legendary creatures of Japanese folklore, often described as spirits or monsters that haunt abandoned places or remote locations. These supernatural beings have captured the imagination of the Japanese for centuries, and continue to fascinate people around the world today. In this article, we explore the mysterious and fascinating world of Japanese yokai. Origins …

Discover the mysterious world of Japanese Yokai Read More »

Japanese ema are traditional wooden votive plates that are often sold in temples and Shinto shrines in Japan. These wooden plaques are decorated with drawings or messages and hung on tree branches or hung on walls near altars to express wishes or prayers. Origin of Japanese ema The history of ema dates back to the …

Ema: ancient amulets to express your wishes Read More »

Jizo, also known as jizobosatsu, are very popular Buddhist deities in Japan. They are representations of Bodhisattva, enlightened beings who have chosen to remain on earth to help living beings attain enlightenment. Jizo are often represented as stone or wooden statues, usually about 1 meter high and wearing a red robe. They are often associated …

Jizo: the benevolent guardians of Japan Read More »

The seven lucky gods or seven gods of fortune (七 福神, shichifukujin in Japanese) are supposed to give good luck and often have their place in netsuke prints or other representations. Among the seven, all the gods are not only mythical characters, one being a historical figure. They all started as distant and impersonal gods, …

The 7 gods of happiness Shichifukujin Read More »

Todai-ji is a Buddhist temple located in Nara, Japan. It is one of the oldest and most important temples in Japan, renowned for its great Buddha and its important place in Japanese history and culture. The origin of Todai-ji dates back to the 8th century, when Emperor Shomu decided to build a large Buddhist temple …

Todai-ji, the largest temple in Japan. Read More »