I love mythology and legends and this book was great it was clear and easy to understand the story were interesting
Would highly recommended
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, Netgalley and Amberbooks, for this ebook, Arc.

Publish date: 9/13/2023

As someone who reads a lot of fantasy, manga, and translated works.  I was aware of some of the myths talked about in Melanie Cleggs book, Japanese Myths.
Though the history behind them and how they have adapted, I had little to no knowledge.

Clegg starts at the beginning by explaining the historical background and introducing the reader to the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, the oldest written mythologies in Japan. This allows anyone to jump into Japanese Myths and begin to dive into the mysterious stories that influence culture and even fuel propaganda in later years.

This book would be a great reference tool for homeschooling parents or a companion to a textbook for high school students. Who may want a deeper understanding of mythology and its influence in the modern era. There are many add-in segments that can influence the reader to research further on their own. For example, there is a mini reference section on Japanese translation, listing many individuals who pioneered and further spread the reach of Japanese mythology. Laying the groundwork for the influence it has today in movies, shows, and books. I myself enjoyed hearing the different stories and pinpointing works that I have seen then in. For example, in the show Teen Wolf, one of the seasons features the Oni and Kitsune. I enjoyed learning the orgins of in Cleggs' work.

Not only is this book filled with historical references but is filled with beautiful pictures that allow the reader to see how these myths are intergrated into Japanese culture along with photographs of artwork inspired by these heroes, Demons, gods, and the Legends that have been passed down orally for years. Clegg also touches on Ryukyuan, Chinese,  and Indian stories that are interconnected into Japanese lore. I had no idea that Buddhism played such an influential role.

Overall, I think this was a great starting place for dabbling in Japanese mythology. The writing was clear and concise and used great examples and pictures. Allowing people who have never been to Japan to experience how entwined it is with their culture.
https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/83626921-12c9-42f2-bd64-a77d7d2c6041

I really enjoyed this collection of myths. I've become increasingly interested in Japanese history/culture/mythology as a result of learning the language, and this captured my interest pretty well.

This is a very informative and educational book about Japanese myths and history. I recommend this book if you are interested in Japan. There are also plenty of illustrations and pictures, to make the reading more immersive.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Amber Books for an advanced copy of this book on the lore, gods and goddesses and creatures of ancient Japan, and their continuing influences today.

People and countries need their myths for a lot of different reasons. One to explain things, where they came from, where they are going and why things are the way they are. Stories from the past explain the reasonings of today. People might treat each other in good or bad ways depending on the myths of their country. Look at America, a young country whose recent history is not that far away, and yet the 1950's in the United States is looked at as an Eden, thought it was far from it. Myths are as encoded in DNA as are the proteins that give us our traits. For good and for bad. To understand a people, it helps to know where they came from. The fact that stories are so good it only a plus. Japanese Myths: Heroes, Gods Demons and Legends by Melanie Clegg looks at the origin tales of the Japanese people and the Ainu natives and tells how the the land, the people and the cultures were developed and formed, by the stories they share.

The book begins with an explanation of the two oldest written works on the creation myths of Japan, the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. These were adapted from earlier oral myths that had been passed down through the centuries. What Clegg points out is that these were the stories that were chosen to be written down, others have been lost to time as there is no record of them. Clegg also looks at some of the stories by the Ainu natives, a group with there own share of problems in Japan. From there were learn the stories, the couple separated by death and a rock, who created the early pantheon of gods. The heroes who fought for justice, or honor, the demons who haunt the hillsides. Readers learn about the different ages of Japan, and how certain myths have been adapted to explain certain parts of Japanese culture, the rise of military during the early part of the last century. And also the effect on culture with characters from famous manga or anime shows coming from classic tales, along with many of the creatures in Pokémon.

A very informative and lavishly illustrated tome to the myths of Japan, and their cultural impact. The writing is very good, always instructive, and well-researched, and yet not dull or sounding like a lecture. Clegg has a real gift in making the stories interesting, answering questions, and finding art that fits well with what Clegg is describing. The stories are fascinating and one doesn't have to be a scholar of mythology to either understand or be taken in by the stories. Though a familiarity would be helpful. As would a familiarity with manga, anime, and movies as many of those that Clegg writes about will be familiar to most fans of these subjects, especially readers of the Usagi Yojimbo stories by Stan Sakai.

A book that should be on the shelf of those interested in the mythology of Japan, that goes without saying. However this would also be a good book for role playing game designers for idea, and fantasy writers also for ideas. Manga and anime fans will also enjoy this book, which would be a perfect Christmas gift for many fans.