Discover everything you've ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of contemporary pop culture. Japanese Myths Illustrated provides a sumptuous, accessible guide to the religious beliefs, myths and gods of this enduring culture. Japanese mythology is a complex system of beliefs that also embraces Shinto and Buddhist traditions as well as agriculture-based folk religion. The Shinto pantheon alone boasts an uncountable number of kami (deities or spirits). One notable aspect of Japanese mythology is that it provided a creation story for Japan and attributed divine origins to the Japanese Imperial family, assigning them godhood. Beautifully produced in traditional Chinese binding with over 130 photographs and illustrations, this book will fascinate anyone interested in the tales of an ancient culture and still has an enduring appeal today.