Giant monsters. Tales of eternal love. The beginning of creation. Pint-sized warriors. Long voyages and insurmountable heroics are only a small piece of the classic myths that have helped shape Japan

Originally published: Santa Barbara, Calif.: ABC-CLIO, c2003.

Monsters, ghosts, fantastic beings, and supernatural phenomena of all sorts haunt the folklore and popular culture of Japan. Broadly labeled yokai, these creatures come in infinite shapes and sizes, from tengu mountain goblins and kappa water spirits to shape-shifting foxes and long-tongued ceiling-lickers. Currently popular in anime, manga, film, and computer games, many yokai originated in local legends, folktales, and regional ghost stories. Drawing on years of research in Japan, Michael Dylan Foster unpacks the history and cultural context of yokai, tracing their roots, interpreting their meanings, and introducing people who have hunted them through the ages. In this delightful and accessible narrative, readers will explore the roles played by these mysterious beings within Japanese culture and will also learn of their abundance and variety through detailed entries, some with original illustrations, on more than fifty individual creatures. The Book of Yokai provides a lively excursion into Japanese folklore and its ever-expanding influence on global popular culture. It also invites readers to examine how people create, transmit, and collect folklore, and how they make sense of the mysteries in the world around them. By exploring yokai as a concept, we can better understand broader processes of tradition, innovation, storytelling, and individual and communal creativity. Ê

A beautifully illustrated, wonderfully engaging A-to-Z guide to more than 700 major and minor gods and goddesses, characters, creatures, and places of classical Greek and Roman mythology. Classical Mythology A-to-Z is a comprehensive and engrossing guide to Greek and Roman mythology. Written by Annette Giesecke, PhD, Professor of Classics and Chair of Ancient Greek and Roman Studies at the University of Delaware, this brilliant reference offers clear explanations of every character and locale, and captures the essence of these timeless tales. From the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus and the heroes of the Trojan War to the nymphs, monsters, and other mythical creatures that populate these ancient stories, Giesecke recounts, with clarity and energy, the details of more than 700 characters and places. Each definition includes cross-references to related characters, locations, and myths, as well their equivalent in Roman mythology and cult. In addition to being an important standalone work, Classical Mythology A-to-Z is also written, designed, and illustrated to serve as an essential companion to the bestselling illustrated 75th-anniversary edition of Mythology by Edith Hamilton, including 10 full-color plates and 2-color illustrations throughout by artist Jim Tierney.

Do you know that the ancient Egyptians believed that People were made out of clay by their river god? For eons, the wisdom cultivated by the Egyptian people has been extolled time and time again. These timeless myths are fountains of insight and, many would argue, beacons of light that can shatter the darkness of ignorance. For those of you that are ready and willing to receive these ancient messages, your time has come. All you need to do is start reading. Then the wisdom of Thoth will begin to stir inside you. Some of the stories that you will find in this book are: The Story of Re The Book of Thoth The Story of Isis and Osiris Anubis and the Underworld The Great Queen Hatshepsut Horus: The Conquer of Set The Shipwrecked Sailor The Girl with Rose-Red Slippers The Adventure of Sinuhe The Taking of Joppa The Land of the Dead The Golden Lotus The Seven Year Famine: Khnemu of the Nile Bastet and the Cats The Peasant and the Workman Sphinx and the Prince The Treasure Thief And more! Every story has been formatted to create a clear and concise retelling for all of those who are not already familiar with the lore of ancient Egyptian culture!

Do you know how many wives Zeus had? Or how the famous Trojan War was caused by one beautiful lady? Or how Thor got his hammer? Give your imagination a real treat. This Mega Mythology Collection is for you. Get 8 books with the price of 3 today! Greek Mythology: From the beginning of the Cosmos to the Odyssey, be ready to venture into an exciting world of love, loyalty, infidelity, vengeance, deception, and intrigue! Learn about: - Hear about the creation myth that started it all. - Travel to Mount Olympus and live among the gods and goddesses. - Tag along with the heroes and villains on their quests from high above on Mount Olympus to Earth and then beneath the surface to the gloomy world of Hades. - Learn about the fascinating Greek gods and goddesses and the rivalry between them. Celtic Mythology: In this all-inclusive guide to Celtic mythology, you will be able to follow the adventures of the Celts through history and understand the true meaning behind popular myths. This comprehensive Celtic mythology guide will allow you to embark on an epic adventure through: - Introduction to the Celts - The Mythological Cycle: The Children of Lir and The Wooing of Étain - The Ulster Cycle: The Life of Cú Chulainn - The Fenian Cycle: Stories of Finn mac Cúmhaill - The Kings' Cycle: Stories of Cormac mac Airt - Welsh Mythology: The Four Branches of Mabinogi and Classic Welsh Myths Norse Mythology: Norse Mythology: Classic Stories of the Norse Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters contains stories passed down from the ancient Norse religion, practiced by the Vikings and other northern people who live in modern-day Scandinavia, Iceland, and throughout the British Isles. Inside this book, you will find myths that answer the following questions: - How did Odin form the world from Ymir's body and make men and women from wood? - What are the names of the nine realms and who (or what) live in them? - Why does Odin have only one eye, and why does Tyr have only one hand? - Where the gift of poetry comes from? - Who are Loki's children, and why does Odin fear them? - Why do the gods fear the end of the world, and what will happen at Ragnarok? And 5 more similar audiobooks on Japanese Mythology, Hindu Mythology, Chinese Mythology, Mesopotamian Mythology and Egyptian Mythology! The 8 manuscripts included in this collection are: - Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of the Greek Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters - Celtic Mythology: Classic Stories of the Celtic Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters - Norse Mythology: Classic Stories of the Norse Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters - Japanese Mythology: Classic Stories of Japanese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters - Hindu Mythology: Classic Stories of Hindu Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Monsters - Chinese Mythology: Classic Stories of Chinese Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters - Mesopotamian Mythology: Classic stories from the Sumerian Mythology, Akkadian Mythology, Babylonian Mythology and Assyrian Mythology - Egyptian Mythology: Classic Stories of Egyptian Myths, Gods, Goddesses, Heroes, and Monsters

Do you know that The Olympians Weren't the Original Immortals? Or that the Goddess Hera restored her virginity each year? The ancient Greeks wove one of the richest and best-preserved collections of stories of all the early civilizations, from the dawn of creation to the bloody siege at Troy. Discover: how Zeus comes to reign supreme with Hera by his side. how the lovely goddess of spring, Persephone, ends up as the Queen of the Underworld. Adventure of Perseus as he seeks the head of Medusa to deliver his mother from a tyrant. Stories of Hercules and experience the cunning of Theseus as he claims his birthright as king of Attica. The unfolding of the famous Trojan War from its unbelievable beginning through its astounding conclusion. Odysseus on his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca. And many other amazing tales! Get this book and discover the fascinating world of Greek Mythology today!