Encyclopedia Mythica: Japanese Mythology
Comprehensive world mythology site with extensive section on Japanese mythological
figures.
Key Aspects of Japan: Festivals
Some minor and regional as well as major festivals.
Japanese Star Lore
and Astronomical History
Star legends and ancient astronomical practices
Japanese
Mythology
Myths related to celestial objects
Folk Beliefs
in Modern Japan: Contemporary Papers on Japanese Religion
Rather dry academic presentation on the changing face of traditional belief, from
shamanesses to Jizo-worshippers at an urban railway-station shrine
Japanese Cultural
References in Urusei Yatsura
Legends, myths and customs all get the Takahashi treatment! This site explains a
lot of the in-jokes. Select “Questions and Answers” and then “Cultural
References” from the menu.
Japanese Ghosts
From Mangajin, a brief introduction to the many varieties of spooks and other
supernatural beings, along with a few classic ghost stories
The Blessings of
Water
Water and its role in the culture, folklore and literature of Kansai; includes history,
proverbs, and information on local products
Ghosts, Demons and Spirits in Japanese
Lore
Article on various types of supernatural beings in Japanese folk belief, illustrated
with woodblock prints
Monogatari: The Legends of Old Japan
A beautifully-designed site that discusses mythical creatures like the nukekubi and
rokurokubi, mythical locations, ancient and modern tales. Expired and on the Internet Archive.
Superstition
In Our Life
Why shouldn’t you cut your nails at night? What does getting a boy’s
second button mean? Find out some fun contemporary folk beliefs.
Ancient Japan
Creation myths, folklore, astronomy, sumo wrestling.
Table of Asian Gods and Their
Associates
The Japanese section of a comprehensive chart of Asian deities and their
portfolios.
Ogre Named Oni
Academic paper analyzing oni as a symbol of otherness in folktales and
children’s literature.
The Topology of Oni in Japanese
Myth
Another article on oni, this one emphasizing their origins as the companions of
kami. Written by a Shinto songwriter. English versions can be selected from the menu.
Mansonge’s “Japanese
Folklore”
Series of articles on various aspects of folk belief and practice. In Japanese
with paragraph-by-paragraph automatic translations.
Tokyo Feature Stories: Things That Go Bump in the Night
Take a tour of Tokyo’s best known hauntings.
Asian Horror Encyclopedia
Comprehensive listing of horror lore, motifs and fiction. Covers legends,
authors, manga, films, and more.
References on Japanese Folklore:
Yanagito, Kunio, Fanny Hagin Mayer, tr. The Yanagita Kunio Guide to the Japanese Folk Tale. Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-36812-X