Japanese folklore and mythology - New World Encyclopedia Japanese folklore is heavily influenced by the two primary religions of Japan, Shinto and Buddhism. 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. The Japanese word for the Emperor of Japan, tennō (天皇), means "heavenly emperor." Contents Japanese folklore has been influenced by foreign literature. Japanese Folklore A young Kintarō battling a giant carp, in a print by Yoshitoshi In the middle years of the twentieth century storytellers would often travel from town to town telling these stories with special paper illustrations called kamishibai. Kintarō, the superhuman Golden Boy Issun-Bōshi, the One-inch Boy Momotarō, the oni-slaying Peach Boy
Religion in Japan Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each other to a certain degree. Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist, Shintoist or both. Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. Religions and Philosophies Other Religion Related Pages Tahiti - Knowledge Encyclopedia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The capital, Papeete, is located on the northwest coast with the only international airport in the region, Faa'a International Airport, situated 5 km (3.1 mi) from the town centre. Geography Tahiti is the highest and largest island in French Polynesia. The island is 45 km (28 mi) across at its widest point and covers an area of 1,045 km2 (403 sq mi). The northwestern portion is known as Tahiti Nui ("big Tahiti"), while the much smaller southeastern portion is known as Tahiti Iti ("small Tahiti") or Tai'arapū. The interior of Tahiti Nui is almost entirely uninhabited. An interior road climbs past dairy farms and citrus groves with panoramic views. Climate History Tahitians European contact 1700s 1800s Twentieth century Politics Economy Air
The Languages spoken in Japan Japan, often referred to as the State of Japan, is an island nation in the Eastern portion of the Asian continental waters. Located in the expansive Pacific Ocean, the country is situated to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The Japanese characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is often referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun. Japan is an archipelago consisting of 6,852 islands. The four largest of these islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku, comprise about ninety-seven percent of Japan's total land area. The Jaywalk, SourceConsidered one of the world’s major economical powers, Japan has the world's third-largest economy by nominal GDP and the world's fourth-largest economy by purchasing power parity. History of the Japanese Language The Japanese Language and How It is Used Japanese Phonology Written Japanese
Aztec Mythology - Myth Encyclopedia - god, story, legend, names, ancient, animal, snake, war, world, creation The mythology of the Aztec civilization, which dominated central Mexico in the 1400s and early 1500s, described a universe of grandeur and dread. Worlds were created and destroyed in the myths, and splendid gods warred among themselves. Everyday items—colors, numbers, directions, days of the calendar—took on special meaning because each was associated with a deity. Aztec religious life ranged from keeping small pottery statues of the gods in homes to attending elaborate public ceremonies involving human sacrifice. Origins and Influences The Aztecs migrated to central Mexico from the north in the 1200s. The Aztecs were newcomers in a region long occupied by earlier civilizations such as those of the Olmecs and the Toltecs, who had developed a pantheon of gods and a body of myths and legends. Major Themes and Deities In the Aztec view of the universe, human life was small and insignificant. Main Themes. The Fiery Birth of the Sun deity god or goddess predetermined decided in advance
The Japanese Climate From subarctic Hokkaidō to subtropical Okinawa, Japan’s climate varies greatly by region. Snow in the North, Blossoms in the South When Hokkaidō in northern Japan is still buried in snow in January, cherry blossoms come into full bloom in the southern islands of Okinawa. Stretching like a bow off the east of the Eurasian continent, the Japanese archipelago shows great climatic variation within its approximately 3,000 kilometers of length from northeast to southwest. As the map below shows, Japan is divided into various climate zones from subarctic Hokkaidō to subtropical Okinawa. List created by Nippon.com editorial staff based on textbook data produced by Ninomiya Shoten. The Coming of Spring The first strong south wind of the year heralds the coming of spring to people on the Pacific side of Japan. As well as the standard four seasons, most of Japan has a rainy season known as tsuyu, lasting around six weeks from late spring or early summer, depending on the area. Getting Through Summer
The Culture and Customs of Mexico - National days and Festivals Mexico’s culture is rich, colourful and vibrant, influenced by its ancient civilisations such as the Aztec and Maya as well as European colonisation. It is unique and probably one of the most fascinating cultures in the world. The traditions and customs of the Mexican people are varied and diverse. They are proud of their native heritage and each region has its own cultural practices and celebrations. Many of the ancient traditions of their ancestors have been preserved making it a fascinating destination to explore. Ancient Chichen Itza. Music and dance feature heavily in Mexican culture. Folk dancing is also common throughout Mexico. Festivals and fiestas are extremely important in Mexico and celebrated even in the smallest villages. So if you want to experience the colour and vitality of a Mexican festival or fiesta, then you will need to plan your Mexico travels accordingly, and this is where Chimu can help. Here is a selection of Mexico’s National Days and festivals. Comments
Ancient Egypt: the Mythology and egyptian myths