Japanese Mythology (Mythology Around the World)

People told Shinto myths for centuries before they were written down. When they were documented, they were written for the emperor, at his command. In this fascinating book, readers learn about the heavenly deities and Buddhist gods, and the myths about the birth of the sun and moon. Shinto gods and demons are described, and readers discover how the ancient traditions of Shintoism and Buddhism have influenced Japanese customs today. Clearly written, the narrative explains complex myths in a way that middle school readers can understand and enjoy. Cover......Page 1 ISBN-13: 978-1-4042-0736-3......Page 3 CONTENTS......Page 4 INTRODUCTION......Page 5 1 Japan......Page 7 2 The Magic of Mythology......Page 13 3 Japanese Mythology......Page 22 4 Japanese Gods and Goddesses......Page 34 5 Mythology in Modern Japan......Page 51 GLOSSARY......Page 56 FOR MORE INFORMATION......Page 58 FOR FURTHER READING......Page 60 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 62 INDEX......Page 63 Photo Credits......Page 65 An introduction to Japanese mythology, including a brief history of the Japanese themselves and the stories of their gods and goddesses Discusses the history and stories of Japanese mythology