Posted inCULTURE
Yamata no Orochi: The Eight-Headed Serpent of Japanese Mythology – Japan’s Most Fearsome Dragon Decoded
Among all the creatures in Japanese mythology, none commands as overwhelming a presence as Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇,…
Posted inCULTURE
The Epic Tale of Yamata no Orochi: Susanoo’s Battle with the Eight-Headed Serpent in Japanese Mythology
Having explored the various interpretations and cultural significance of Yamata no Orochi in previous chapters, we now turn…
Posted inCULTURE
Sacred Women Who Dance with Gods: The Miko Priestess Tradition and Ame-no-Uzume, Japan’s First Divine Shaman
When visiting a Shinto shrine in Japan, you may encounter young women dressed in distinctive red and white…
The Legendary Ranjatai: Japan’s Most Sacred Incense Wood That Captivated Oda Nobunaga
In the ancent city of Nara, within the hallowed halls of Todai-ji temple's Shosoin repository, lies a piece…
Posted inARCHITECTURE CULTURE
Kekkai: Sacred Barriers in Japanese Culture – The Mystical Power of Shimenawa at Shinto Shrines
If you've watched popular anime like Inuyasha, Jujutsu Kaisen, or Kekkaishi, you've likely encountered the mysterious concept of…
Posted inCULTURE
The Mystery of Shishigami: Exploring the Japanese Mythological Roots of the Forest Spirit in Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke
In Studio Ghibli's masterpiece Princess Mononoke (1997), no character embodies mystery and divine power quite like the Shishigami…
The Ultimate Guide to Free Traditional Japanese Design Resources
Traditional Japanese design encompasses centuries of aesthetic philosophy, embodying concepts like seasonal awareness, reverence for nature, and the…
Yaegaki-hime in Ukiyo-e: Discovering the Beauty and Legend of Kabuki’s Most Beloved Princess Through 8 Masterpieces
When browsing through collections of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, one often encounters the graceful figure of a princess adorned…
Posted inCULTURE
Ryomen Sukuna: The Ancient Japanese Demon King Behind Jujutsu Kaisen’s Most Feared Villain
In the phenomenally successful anime and manga series Jujutsu Kaisen, which has captivated audiences worldwide since 2020, the…
Japanese Traditional Tattoo: How Kunisada’s Theatrical Vision Transformed Ukiyo-e and Irezumi into High Art
Following our exploration of how ukiyo-e brought irezumi to life and Kuniyoshi's revolutionary Water Margin series, we now…