Uncovering Japanese Mythology: Exploring the Ancient Stories, Legends, and Folktales of the Land of the Rising Sun (Ancient History Books)

I found this book interesting in that it discusses something that we as a society (especially in the west) share a general collective knowledge of – Japanese mythology, through manga, Japanese films, etc. – but often lack a concrete understanding. I liked this book in that it does a good job in covering Japan's culture, by discussing topics such as Japanese religious beliefs, social classes, history, and even the origins of Japanese fairy tales. One thing I liked in particular is that it cites sources, which serves the a positive academic benefit, and also allows the reader to dive deeper into the facts and ideas shared. From a historical perspective, it covers the important eras over the course of Japan’s existence. It additionally discusses a detailed set of Japanese gods and goddesses, of which there are plenty relating to the Shinto religion. It also goes into detail about folklore stories, which are quite charming, and often times either wise or inspirational. I would definitely pick this book up if you want to brush up on your knowledge of Japan, it’s religion and ultimately, its culture. I would even brush up again when preparing to visit the country. Great read!

Author Lucas Russo, whose apparent mission is the introduction of many mythologies from around the world, has performed quite a comprehensive feat writing “Uncovering Japanese Mythology.” His mission is most welcome: to Westerners (especially of my generation), the cultural world ceased abruptly beyond the Grecian Isles. Nonetheless, after reading Japanese novels, and seeing Kurosawa films, Japanese classical art and even Noh plays, I’ve wondered what makes them mystical, and what imparts that haunted feeling. In compact form elegantly expressed, Lucas Russo untangles the uniquely complex mythology by offering a summary of Japanese history, the changing societal structure, the several overlapping religions, and the deities before delving into a selection of myths and folktales. It’s a masterpiece of organization, and in spite of the huge amount of material covered, the pace never seems rushed. The book is short, but there’s enough here to encourage the reader to look deeper—especially with many source materials clearly listed. And after taking this ever gracious and entertaining crash course, I feel that I’ve inched a bit closer to understanding that haunted feeling in film, art, and literature.

I have traveled to Japan many times, and this Japanese mythology book has enriched my experience. The comprehensive introduction offers a simple, succinct background of Shintoism, other spiritual traditions, and the different ruling periods from Japan's long history, which I found enormously helpful in putting everything into context. This book has many stories/legends, and they are highly entertaining and educational for any age. It is also well organized into different categories, such as "gods," "goddesses, " and "supernatural creatures," so that I can choose a topic based on my fancy.

Great book, nice price.

"Uncovering Japanese Mythology" is a captivating journey into a world I knew little about. The stories and folklore are presented in such an engaging way, even for a newbie like me. I loved the historical context provided, deepening my understanding of the myths' significance. While some parts got a tad dense, the overall experience was a page-turner. The vivid descriptions and intriguing characters kept me hooked. If you're into mythology, this book is a must-read that'll transport you to a highly imaginative realm.

Uncovering Japanese Mythology is a great collection of the demigods and heroes of ancient Japanese culture. I really appreciated the early introduction to the development of Japanese eras, with their religious histories. Very interesting. And I especially enjoyed reading the stories in the book's final chapter. My only criticism is that the descriptions of the supernatural beings are very dry. It might be more engaging if they were introduced, then presented in a traditional story immediately after. Nevertheless, the book has tons of great information.

Its kind of bare bones. Serves as more of a foundation than anything with any real substance and actually leaves quite a bit out altogether.

I own three of the other books in this set by Lucas Russo and so I went in pretty sure of what I was getting. I was not disappointed. As with the other title I own, Lucas Russo does a great job walking you through the mythology. The books are perfect reference guides and are wonderful introductions to other cultures and mythologies. The tone is respectful, and the pace is perfect. I highly recommend any of the books in the series. Chapter 7, folktales were my favorite part. The short parables were all new to me and I really appreciated the effort in collecting and explaining them.

There are a lot of references in this book to other books and articles that gives you a sense that this is a well researched book. However, I didn’t find the book an enjoyable read. It is full of the the names of god and goddess without any picture or graph. I also found the text hard to follow up. There are some awkward sentences and paragraphs that needs to be corrected or rewritten. I think this book can greatly benefit from professional editing.

"Uncovering Japanese Mythology" transcends the role of a mere compendium of stories. It is a testament to the power of storytelling, culture, and the enduring human fascination with the divine. With its accessible prose, contextual depth, and enthralling narratives, this book is a treasure trove that not only imparts knowledge but also kindles an enduring spark of curiosity for the captivating realm of Japanese mythology.

I am tagging along on my husband's business trip to Tokyo at the end of this month. I saw this book was on promotion and thought it would be helpful to read along with travel planning. I found the book very interesting because I did not know anything about Japanese mythology before I read it. I liked the introduction because the author provided background on Shintoism, Japanese Buddhism, and the different ruling periods from Japan's long history which gave great context. I had no idea that there were so many Gods or fables. I found it very interesting that Japan has developed in isolation and yet they have so many Gods just like the ancient Greeks did. It is fascinating to me how people make sense of the world through religions, Dieties, and mythical creatures. The book was well-written and logically laid out. I'm glad I read it in preparation for my upcoming trip.

Even though I have lived in Japan for over 25 years and spent a great deal of that time learning the cultural history. There was still so much information in this book that I had never heard. It is well written and easy to read. If you love Japanese mythology and spiritual history then this is a no brainer.

If you're a bit bored with a monotheistic god belief where the one person in charge is sitting on his hands, Then you'll dig the Japanese and their hundreds of gods, who range from pranksters to fire-breathing protectors of the nation. This book is a great pick-up, put down and pick-up again romp through Japanese mythology. No wonder its people were described as "inscrutable," as they must have never known which gods might take offense at the wrong expression. However, bedtime stories must have been way more exciting as an oral tradition than the moralizing claptrap doled up in the West.