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Foxes In Japanese Folklore
The , in popular Japanese tradition, are foxes or fox spirits that possess supernatural abilities such as shapeshifting, and capable of bewitching people. General overview , though literally a 'fox', becomes in folklore a 'fox spirit', or perhaps a type of . They are ascribed with intelligence and magical or supernatural powers, especially so with long-living foxes. The ''kitsune'' exhibit the ability of , or transforming its shape and appearance, like the '' tanuki'' as well as the ability to , i.e. beguile or bewitch; these terms are related to the generic term meaning "spectre" or "goblin". Another scholar ascribes the ''kitsune'' with being a "disorienting deity" (that makes the traveler lose his way) and such capabilities were also ascribed to badgers (actually '' tanuki'' or raccoon dog) and occasionally to cats (cf. ''bakeneko''). The archetypal method by which the ''kitsune'' tricks () humans is to lead them astray, or make them lose their way. The experiences of ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
:Category:Japanese Words And Phrases ...
{{Commons Words and phrases by language Words Words Words A word is a basic element of language that carries meaning, can be used on its own, and is uninterruptible. Despite the fact that language speakers often have an intuitive grasp of what a word is, there is no consensus among linguists on its ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cesspool
Cesspit, cesspool and soak pit in some contexts are terms with various meanings: they are used to describe either an underground holding tank (sealed at the bottom) or a soak pit (not sealed at the bottom). A cesspit can be used for the temporary collection and storage of feces, excreta, or fecal sludge as part of an on-site sanitation system and has some similarities with septic tanks or with soak pits. Traditionally, it was a deep cylindrical chamber dug into the ground, having approximate dimensions of diameter and depth. Its appearance was similar to that of a hand-dug water well. The pit can be lined with bricks or concrete, covered with a slab, and needs to be emptied frequently when in use as an underground holding tank. In other cases (if soil and groundwater conditions allow), it is not constructed watertight, to allow liquid to leach out (similar to a pit latrine or to a soak pit). Terminology In British English, historically, a cesspit was just a hole dug into ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kami
are the Deity, deities, Divinity, divinities, Spirit (supernatural entity), spirits, mythological, spiritual, or natural phenomena that are venerated in the traditional Shinto religion of Japan. ''Kami'' can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, beings and the qualities that these beings express, and/or the spirits of venerated dead people. Many ''kami'' are considered the ancient ancestors of entire Japanese clans, clans (some ancestors became ''kami'' upon their death if they were able to embody the values and virtues of ''kami'' in life). Traditionally, great leaders like the Emperor of Japan, Emperor could be or became ''kami''. In Shinto, ''kami'' are not separate from nature, but are of nature, possessing positive and negative, and good and evil characteristics. They are manifestations of , the interconnecting energy of the universe, and are considered exemplary of what humanity should strive towards. ''Kami'' are believed to be "hidden" from this world, and in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shinto
, also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shintoists'', although adherents rarely use that term themselves. With no central authority in control of Shinto, there is much diversity of belief and practice evident among practitioners. A polytheism, polytheistic and animism, animistic religion, Shinto revolves around supernatural entities called the (神). The are believed to inhabit all things, including forces of nature and prominent landscape locations. The are worshipped at household shrines, family shrines, and Shinto shrine, ''jinja'' public shrines. The latter are staffed by priests, known as , who oversee offerings of food and drink to the specific enshrined at that location. This is done to cultivate harmony ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Inari Ōkami
, also called , is the Japanese ''kami'' of Red fox, foxes, Fertility (soil), fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture and Industrial sector, industry, and general prosperity and worldly success, and is one of the principal kami of Shinto. The name Inari can be literally translated into "rice-bearer". In earlier Japan, Inari was also the patron of swordsmiths and merchants. Genderfluid, Alternatingly-represented as male and/or female, Inari is sometimes seen as a collective of three or five individual ''kami''. Inari appears to have been worshipped since the founding of a shrine at Inari Mountain in 711 CE, although some scholars believe that worship started in the late 5th century. By the 16th century, Inari had become the patron of blacksmiths and the protector of warriors, and worship of Inari spread across Japan in the Edo period. Inari is a popular figure in both Shinto and Buddhism, Buddhist beliefs in Japan. More than one-third (40,000) of the Shinto shrines in Japan are ded ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kitsunebi
Kitsunebi (狐火) is an atmospheric ghost lights, atmospheric ghost light told about in legends all across Japan outside Okinawa Prefecture.村上健司編著 『妖怪事典』 毎日新聞社、2000年、134頁。。 They are also called "hitobosu", "hitomoshi" (火点し), and "rinka" (燐火). Overview Kimimori Sarashina, a researcher of local stories, summarizes the features of the kitsunebi as follows: in places where there was no presence of fire, mysterious flames like those of a paper lantern or a torch would appear in a line and flicker in and out, with fires that had gone out sometimes appearing in yet another place, so that if one attempted to chase after what was behind all this, it would disappear in the middle. When they appear between spring and autumn, they show up especially in hot summers and appear easily when it is cloudy when the weather is changing. They are said to appear from ten to several hundred in a line, and just when one thinks that they have incre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Abe No Seimei
, also known as Doujimaru (童子丸), was a Japanese ''onmyōji'', a court official and specialist of ''Onmyōdō'', during the middle of the Heian period.Miller, Laura. "Extreme Makeover for a Heian-era Wizard". ''Mechademia 3: Limits of the Human''. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2008. 33. In addition to his prominence in Japanese history, history, he is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore. He has been portrayed in several stories and films. Seimei worked as an ''onmyōji'' for emperors and the Heian government, advising on the spiritually correct way to deal with issues. He prayed for the well-being of emperors and the government and advised on various issues. He was also an Astrology, astrologer and predicted astrological events. He lived a long life of 84 years, free from any major illness, contributing to the popular belief that he had magic (paranormal), mystical powers. The Seimei Shrine, located in Kyoto, is dedicated to him. The Abeno Ōsaka Abenobas ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kuzunoha
, also written Kuzu-no-Ha, is the name of a popular ''kitsune'' character in Japanese folklore. Her name means ''leaf of arrowroot''. Legend states that she is the mother of Abe no Seimei, the famous onmyōji. Legend A young nobleman, Abe no Yasuna (安倍 保名), is on his way to visit a shrine in Shinoda, in Settsu Province, when he encounters a young military commissioner who is hunting foxes in order to obtain their livers for use as medicine. Yasuna battles the hunter, sustaining several wounds, and sets free the white fox he had trapped. Later, a beautiful woman named Kuzunoha helps Yasuna to return to his home. She is the fox he saved, adopting human form in order to tend to his wounds. He falls in love with her and they marry. She bears him a child, Seimei (childhood name Dōji), who proves prodigiously clever. Kuzunoha realizes that her son has inherited part of her supernatural power. Several years later, while Kuzunoha is viewing some chrysanthemums, her ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sessho-seki
The , or "Killing Stone", is a stone in the volcanic mountains of Nasu, Tochigi, Nasu, an area of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, that is famous for sulphurous Onsen, hot springs. In Japanese mythology, the stone is said to kill anyone who comes into contact with it. In Japan, rocks and large stones in areas where Volcanic gas, volcanic toxic gases are generated are often named ''Sessho-seki'' (殺生石), meaning Killing Stone, and the representative of such stones is this one associated with the legend of Tamamo-no-Mae and the Kitsune, nine-tailed fox.Sessho-seki. Kotobank. Legend The stone is believed to be the transformed corpse of Tamamo-no-Mae, a beautiful woman who was exposed as a Kitsune, nine-tailed fox working for an evil ''daimyō'' plotting to kill E ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nine-tailed Vixen
Huli jing () are Chinese mythological creatures usually capable of shapeshifting, who may either be benevolent or malevolent spirits. In Chinese mythology and folklore, the fox spirit takes variant forms with different meanings, powers, characteristics, and shapes, including , , , , , , and . Fox spirits and nine-tailed foxes appear frequently in Chinese folklore, literature, and mythology. Depending on the story, the fox spirit's presence may be a good or a bad omen. The motif of nine-tailed foxes from Chinese culture was eventually transmitted and introduced to Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese cultures. Descriptions The nine-tailed fox occurs in the ''Shanhaijing'' (''Classic of Mountains and Seas''), compiled from the Warring States period to the Western Han period (circa fourth to circa first century BC). The work states: In chapter 14 of the ''Shanhaijing'', Guo Pu, a scholar of the Eastern Jin dynasty, had commented that the "nine-tailed fox was an auspicious omen th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nihon Ryōiki
The is an early Heian period setsuwa collection. Written by Kyōkai between 787 and 824, it is Japan's oldest collection of Buddhist setsuwa. It is three volumes in length. Title Commonly abbreviated as ''Nihon Ryōiki'', which means "Record of Miraculous Events in Japan," the full title is . It may also be read as ''Nihon Reiiki''. The book has been translated into English under the title ''Miraculous Stories from the Japanese Buddhist Tradition'', but this does not represent a literal translation of the Japanese title. Contents The work is composed of three parts contained within three volumes. Each volume begins with a preface, and the final volume contains an epilogue. There are a total of 116 tales all dealing with Buddhist elements. There are also a total of nine poems. Manuscripts There are five existing manuscripts, two of which are designated National Treasures: * Kōfuku-ji, 904 ( National Treasure) * Maeda estate, 1236 * Raigō-in, late Heian period ( Nationa ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
