As you should know, Japanese masks own a very important place in Japanese Culture. From theatrical to religious and even festive, each Japanese Mask has a well-defined meaning and its usefulness. However, these traditional accessories still remain a mystery for many readers and Land of the Rising Sun enthusiasts who wonder what do Japanese masks mean and symbolize. Here is a little […]
Factious and benevolent, it exist in Japan a mysterious Yōkai called Tanuki that is full of surprises. But under its appearance of a cute raccoon dog with a bottle of sake and big scrotum, what hides behind this Tanuki that everybody is talking about? A Tanuki (タヌキ, 狸) or Japanese Raccoon Dog is an animal native to Asia and a Yokai from Japanese Folklore. The complete name of […]
In the mysterious and elusive world of Japanese Yōkai figures, few creatures are as well known, feared and revered as the Tengu. Tengu (天狗, “Heavenly dog” or “Sky Dog”) is a mythical creature from Japanese Folklore and a Yokai from the class of Obake and Bakemono. The Tengu are represented with different forms in Japanese mythology such as a […]
Like every culture in the world, Japan also has its own type of vengeful spirits that can appear as specters or ghosts. In the Land of the Rising Sun, we call them Yūrei.Yūrei (幽霊, lit. Ghosts) are figures from Japanese mythology, analogous to the Western model of ghosts, and the third type of Yokai in Japanese Folklore. The Yūrei classification regroups […]
The Hakama (袴) is a type of traditional Japanese garment designed as skirt-like pants that is worn over any type Kimono. There are mostly two types of hakama: the divided Hakama called umanori (馬乗り, lit. “horse-riding hakama”) and the undivided Hakama called andon bakama (行灯袴, lit. “lantern hakama”). Hakama were traditionally worn by nobles, especially Samurai warriors during Feudal Japan, but became […]
Samue (作務衣) are comfortable jacket and pants sets that were created by Japanese Zen monks to be worn during the Samu, which is all the physical activities to maintain the monastery. Nowadays, Samue have become the typical working uniform for men and women that work at workshops, temples, hotels and stores and can also be used for homework. […]
When summer arrives, the climate heats up enormously on the Japanese archipelago and temperatures can rise up to 45°C (113°F). To overcome this, Japanese fashion has updated a famous apparel, formerly used as indoor clothing, so that it can be worn outside. You may have guessed it, it is of course the famous Jinbei. Jinbei […]
Very important and popular yōkai from Japanese mythology, the Kitsune are probably one of the most emblematic creatures that you may have encountered in your life. What, you don’t know what is the Kitsune? Here is a little introduction: The Kitsune (狐) is a mythical creature from Japanese Folklore. They are the servitor of the God Inari, and are part […]
Discover what is Setsubun, the famous Soybeans Throwing festival that is celebrated each 3rd February Japan! Everything you need to know about this event in one single article!
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You love Japanese Folklore and want to know what is an Oni, their origins, what do they look like and what do they mean? Follow the guide, here we explain everything!
