{"product_id":"handbook-of-japanese-mythology","title":"Handbook of Japanese Mythology by Michael Ashkenazi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHandbook of Japanese Mythology by Michael Ashkenazi\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eAshkenazi avoids the mistake of treating Japanese myths as mere entertainment or disjointed ghost stories. He organizes the handbook into distinct, academic sections designed to help readers unpack the \"why\" behind the legends:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. Introduction to the Japanese Supernatural\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eThe book begins by laying the historical and religious foundations of the archipelago. Ashkenazi carefully unpacks the complex, centuries-long synchronization between indigenous \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"178\"\u003eShintoism\u003c\/b\u003e (the animistic worship of nature spirits) and imported \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"243\"\u003eBuddhism\u003c\/b\u003e, as well as the ethical influences of \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"290\"\u003eConfucianism\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"307\"\u003eTaoism\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. Mythic Time and Space\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eThe text constructs a chronological framework for a mythology that is often deeply non-linear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Age of the Gods (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"21\"\u003eKami-yo\u003c\/i\u003e):\u003c\/b\u003e The primordial creation of the Japanese islands by \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"82\"\u003eIzanagi and Izanami\u003c\/b\u003e, the birth of the sun goddess \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"132\"\u003eAmaterasu\u003c\/b\u003e, and the banishment of her storm-god brother \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"187\"\u003eSusanoo\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Transition to the Heroic Age:\u003c\/b\u003e The descent of Ninigi (Amaterasu’s grandson) to earth to establish the imperial line, bringing with him the Three Sacred Treasures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"10,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eThe Myth-History Continuum:\u003c\/b\u003e How early historical emperors and legendary warriors (like Yamato Takeru) were actively mythologized into divine figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"20\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e1. The Nature of \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"20\" data-index-in-node=\"17\"\u003eKami\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003eThe book carefully dismantles the common Western practice of translating \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"73\"\u003ekami\u003c\/i\u003e simply as \"gods.\" Ashkenazi explains that a \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"122\"\u003ekami\u003c\/i\u003e is not an omnipotent creator like the Abrahamic God, nor is it a highly anthropomorphic personality like the Greek Olympians. A \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"255\"\u003ekami\u003c\/i\u003e is any force, entity, or phenomenon that evokes a sense of awe (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"21\" data-index-in-node=\"324\"\u003ekamae\u003c\/i\u003e)—ranging from a majestic waterfall or an oddly shaped rock to a powerful storm or the spirit of a deceased emperor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003e2. Pollution (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"14\"\u003eKegare\u003c\/i\u003e) vs. Purification (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"22\" data-index-in-node=\"40\"\u003eHarae\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"23\"\u003eThe handbook emphasizes that Japanese mythic morality is not built around a rigid concept of \"sin\" or \"moral evil\" in the Western sense. Instead, the central tension lies between \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"23\" data-index-in-node=\"179\"\u003epurity\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"23\" data-index-in-node=\"190\"\u003eimpurity\/pollution\u003c\/b\u003e (\u003ci data-path-to-node=\"23\" data-index-in-node=\"210\"\u003ekegare\u003c\/i\u003e). Contact with death, blood, disease, or social discord brings spiritual pollution, which threatens the community. Therefore, the vast majority of mythic actions and ritual cycles focus entirely on restoration through cleansing and purification ceremonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLanguage: English.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGenre: Mythology.\u003cspan class=\"BookPageMetadataSection__genreButton\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding: সেলাই করা বাইন্ডিং\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuality: Premium Quality Books.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting: High Quality Printing.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaper: Eye Friendly paper (Cream White)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCover: Matt cover (Paperback).\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Royal Books BD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47274441998521,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"BDT","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0780\/0874\/6169\/files\/Handbook_of_Japanese_Mythology.jpg?v=1779462822","url":"https:\/\/royalbooksbd.com\/products\/handbook-of-japanese-mythology","provider":"Royal Books BD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}