Lately, I’ve been consuming speculative fiction centered around Japanese mythology / Shinto creation mythology. Putting up a few reviews here as part of the Japanese Literature Reading Challenge 2021.
Dragon Sword and Wind Child by Noriko Ogiwara
This book is part of the Tales of Matagama series but you can also read it as a standalone. Saya lives in the village, with no memory of the past. She finds comfort in her worship of the God of Light and his children. But the God of Light has been at eternal war with the Goddess of Darkness, and only the Water Maiden can wield the Dragon Sword and bring that war to an end. Saya’s world comes crashing down when she discovers that is that Water Maiden.
The ancient Japanese compilation, Kojiki (Book of Records, Year 711-712), records many themes of Japanese creation mythology. These include: immortality versus cycles of renewal and rebirth, purification by water and sacrifice, the inhuman beauty of the children of the gods, the first human rulers who made Japan, the descent of ancient gods to earth, the magic of dragons and old shrines, the love for nature, the separation of the sun and moon/ sky and underworld. brings together many of these threads, and casts several plot twists at the reader while maintaining a fairly good pace.
There are drawbacks to the story, however, such as Saya’s role being limited to a catalyst for other people’s lives, and a too-abrupt settlement of the various plot threads at the end. But the mystical and poetic writing style more than makes up for it. Also, the very title of the book, and the book cover illustration by Miho Satake, are both truly lovely. If you are a fan of mythology-based world-building, you may like Dragon Sword and Wind Child.
Recommended. Rating: 8/10
Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke
Hayao Miyazaki’s environmentally-conscious animation movie speaks of a time long gone (Muromachi Period), of a different sort of Japanese Mythology. Back then, the ancestors of animals roamed the earth as Gods, but were slowly decimated by human greed and need for development. Caught in the middle of this turbulent time is Princess Mononoke who was adopted by the Wolf God, and the human Prince Ashitaka who has been cursed by a dying Boar God.
Forgive the slow start to the movie, and watch for the awe-inspiring Deer God and Nightwalker, the crafty but multi-layered Lady Eboshi, and the sprawling green locales inspired by the actual ancient forests of Kyushu and the mountains of Honshu.
I had expected a relatively YA tale, but it turned out to be a moving story for all ages. My favorites will always be Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away, but comes a close third.
Recommended. Rating: 9/10
Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit
This Japanese TV show is the dramatization of a super popular series of Japanese fantasy novels by Nahoko Uehashi. The show’s director, Keiji Kataoka, has done a fabulous job of creating a visually-stunning adaptation of a dark fantasy story which is sometimes hopeful, sometimes downright scary, but all-time mind-blowing. (There is also an anime version out there that I have not seen, so I can’t comment which version is better.)
A young prince with the mysterious powers of the River God has become the thorn in his narcissistic father’s eyes. His mother sends him away in the night, under the protection of a bodyguard Balsa, but the prince and Balsa are hunted throughout their journey by mysterious assassins who want the power of the River God for themselves.
Honestly, I could find nothing wrong with this Japanese mythology show. I especially loved Balsa, who is one of the strongest and most honorable female characters in fantasy fiction. Watch the stills and clips here.
Highly recommended. Rating: 10/10
Interesting Side Note: Both and the Moribito books have been translated from Japanese to English by the same person, Cathy Hirano. Hirano has also recently translated Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The English-speaking world certainly owes a lot to Hirano.
16 replies on “Japanese Mythology Recs: Ogiwara, Mononoke & Moribito”
Hi Lex! This is fabulous! My husband travels to Japan at least once a year (not last year of course and we don’t know about this year) and I’ve been with once. It’s a fascinating country with a rich history.
Reading your post, I realize I know nothing about their mythology. You gave me some reading material now. Great stuff!
Have a good weekend.
Elza Reads
Wow, I’m so envious! Have never been to Japan myself, and keep hoping to take a look at the sakuras! Have watched a whole lot of Japanese shows though. Oh well, maybe when the whole world has settled down a bit… 🙂
I love this post.
Plus, I really love Studio Ghibli. We visited paris a few years ago and there was a Ghibli exhibition – it was just brilliant.
Lynn 😀
Wow! A Ghibli exhibition! That sounds like a dream come true. I’d love to see their animation process. Their art style is so unique <3 <3 <3
OMG, so so fascinating! And so tempting, so many more books to read and movies to watch. I so love Miyazaki, but haven’t watched Princess Mononoke yet
In that case, give Mononoke a try for sure. The art style is a bit more dated than the newer works, but the second half of the story more than makes up for it.
I loved Spirited Away, but I’ve never watched Princess Mononoke. I will have to add it to my never ending list of things to do! I lived in Tokyo for a year so I have a soft spot for all things Japanese😁
Oh, nice! I’ve never been to Japan but hope to visit someday. Dunno if there’s any Japanese art museum / Ghibli gallery, but that would be one of my first few places to visit!
Ooh I love Japanese culture but don’t know a lot about the mythology. Kojiki caught my eye- it reminded me of the older Kitaro album of the same name. It’s not my favorite Kitaro but isn’t a bad listen. I do love how nature seems to play a large role in their theology, and the environmental themes appeal to me as well.
I need to read some of the Ghibli stuff.
Guess what? I’d never heard of Kitaro’s music before — so thanks for the rec! I know I can always rely on your music recommendations. 🙂 And you’ve summed it well — forests and nature do play a large role in Japanese culture and mythology.
Oh my gosh I used to love Kitaro- in college I’d listen to him all the time. Highly recommend Silk Road and Ten Years- older stuff but his best, IMO.
On it! I like to plug in music and read, and this looks perfect for that. Thanks Greg!
I know absolutely nothing about Japanese mythology, although I seem to recollect something about the mystery of a fox for them…and, of course, the sword is such a revered weapon in their culture. Thanks for making me aware of so much that is new to me in this post!
Oh, yes, the fox/ kitsune! That’s a very important motif in Japanese folklore. And of course, the Sword and the Samurai. Thanks for stopping by!
Really enjoyed reading this post. While I’ve really enjoyed reading a lot of Japanese fiction I have to say when it comes to mythology, I’m a totally newbie. Taking note of these and maybe I’ll get a chance to finally discover some this year.
I hope you’ll definitely give Mononoke a try, and stick with it till things get going in the second half! It gets better and then it gets awesome. Cheers, and hope to see you around for Japanese Literature Challenge 14!