Creatures
See List of legendary creatures from Japan for a broad spectrum of creatures potentially classifiable as being "mythological creatures". Yōkai or animals that interact with humans in Japanese folklore are discussed in those pages.It is probably more typical to find lists of items and weapons that appear in the Japanese mythology. However, here is a tentative list of creatures:
- (Creatures in mythological tracts)
- Yamata no Orochi, the eight-headed serpent, discussed above.
- The rabbit aided by Ōkuninushi, and the wani (crocodile, modern scholars assume it to be a type of shark) that flayed it.
- Yatagarasu, a three-legged crow which guided the way to Emperor Jimmu. (In China, such a bird is said to dwell in the sun, and may be related to sunspots; cf. Moon rabbit)
- Kinshi(ja), blindingly bright golden kite that aided Jimmu; it may be a double of the crow.
- Watatsumi, sea god, often called Ryūjin or Dragon God.
- Yato-no-kami
- (Creatures in legendary tracts)
- Mizuchi
- (Creatures associated with Shinto deities)
- Ōnamazu(ja) or Giant Catfish; said to dwell underground causing earthquakes, said to be quelled by the god Takemikazuchi
Read more about this topic: Japanese Mythology
Famous quotes containing the word creatures:
“What have we achieved in mowing down mountain ranges, harnessing the energy of mighty rivers, or moving whole populations about like chess pieces, if we ourselves remain the same restless, miserable, frustrated creatures we were before? To call such activity progress is utter delusion. We may succeed in altering the face of the earth until it is unrecognizable even to the Creator, but if we are unaffected wherein lies the meaning?”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)
“If it had not been for storytelling, the black family would not have survived. It was the responsibility of the Uncle Remus types to transfer philosophies, attitudes, values, and advice, by way of storytelling using creatures in the woods as symbols.”
—Jackie Torrence (b. 1944)
“Of all God’s creatures there is only one that cannot be made the slave of the lash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with a cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat.”
—Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] (1835–1910)