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Tag: Japanese folklore

The Man Behind the Legend: Prince Shotoku

Posted on May 12, 2019August 1, 2019 by Chris Kincaid

Prince Shotoku stand out in Japanese history. During his lifetime, he was even seen as a Bodhisattva, a Buddhist saint, and he was eventually deified in a cult that flourished during the Heian period. Ironically, if Prince Shotoku had lived in China, he would’ve been a normal nobleman for the period. He wouldn’t have stood…

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The Firefly’s Lovers

Posted on April 21, 2019 by Chris Kincaid

This story was collected around 1887 when the American William Griffis visited Japan. Many of Japan’s early Western visitors during the Meiji period collected and recorded the oral stories they encountered. IN JAPAN the night-flies emit so brilliant a light and are so beautiful that ladies go out in the evenings and catch the insects…

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Understanding Japanese Talismans, Amulets, and Good-luck Charms

Posted on February 10, 2019August 1, 2019 by Chris Kincaid

Talismans, amulets, and good-luck charms appear throughout anime.  Japan isn’t unique for having these–every culture has their own version–but Japanese charms have become a bit more international with their appearance in manga and anime. Some work similar to the American lucky-rabbit’s foot. Others are rather different. Talismans and other charms overlap with toys in Japanese…

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The Dream Story of Gojiro

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Chris Kincaid

Only a few years ago there was a gentleman in Fukui, Japan, who had a son, a bright lad of twelve, who was very diligent at school and had made astonishing progress in his studies. He was especially quick at learning Chinese characters, of which every Japanese gentleman who wishes to be called educated must…

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The Willow Wife

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Chris Kincaid

In a certain Japanese village there grew a great willow-tree. For many generations the people loved it. In the summer it was a resting-place, a place where the villagers might meet after the work and heat of the day were over, and there talk till the moonlight streamed through the branches. In winter it was…

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Chasing Nightmares – Kanashibari

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Chris Kincaid

The Dark Presser. The Old Hag. The Ghost Presser. Alien Abduction. No matter what cultural form it takes, kanashibari excites and terrifies.  Between 40-50% of people will have at least one experience of kanashibari in their lifetimes (Schegoleva, 2002). In the West, we know it as sleep paralysis. Nightmares and sleep paralysis happen together during…

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