I always postponed reading the books on myths and finally, I got to read one, so I warmly thank the publishing house and the author for involuntarily fulfilling my wish. Since I have no idea how a book of this kind is presented I let myself be guided by the author’s hand and it was a surprise because the content presented is very detailed and thorough. You can see that the author has carried out the research behind each presented chapter and above all the choice to offer a vast period, from the creation of myths and cosmology to urban legends, allowed her to focus on events and people by making a concise but fulfilling presentation. I was aware of some information because I read it from articles on the internet so having some ideas was much more enjoyable because I was able to add a piece to my baggage of curiosity about this world.
The presence of photos makes the reading light and pleasing to the eyes, but above all gives a vision of some topics that you're reading.
Recommended reading for those who want to read the myths of Japan or just out of curiosity, you never know what you find inside a book. :")

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have never before interracted with japanese mythology, so I found this book to be an excellent introduction in the subject. I liked the chapter division and the categorisation of different types of mythology/folklore; while arbitrary, as all such categorisation systems inevitably are, it was a very useful one, with each chapter naturally leading into the next. I also really liked the accompanying pictures/illustrations.

This is one of those books that I would like to have physically and read little by little, some fragments today, some next week. Turn to it when you need or want it, without rushing. Otherwise I feel like I'm studying for some exam and my excitement goes away a little (ha!)

The amount of information this book has is tremendous and I love that it places everything precisely and without any bumps. And although that is something I like, sometimes I felt a little tedious, dense, boring.

I think the best way to read it is little by little, slowly and even have it there on the nightstand to read before going to sleep, a fragment. Maybe that's why I feel like I couldn't fully enjoy it, because I had a time limit to read (which is completely understandable and doesn't make me lower stars).

Hopefully it can be translated into Spanish and I can buy it and share it with many more people!

Thank you Amber Books Ltd for the ARC I read on NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

An accessible overview of an oft overlooked area of mythology that gives cultural context. Very enjoyable

I've thoroughly enjoyed this book, always wanted to get better at reading Japanese but found a lot of methods to be frustrating or unrewarding but this book changed that! The stores are interesting and as I read each story I'm picking up more bits of vocab and kanji, the book structure makes sense and I love the addition of the simple questions after each story too!

Japanese Myths by Melanie Clegg is a well-written and engaging account of how mythologies throughout the ages reflect the culture and history of Japan. The book traces Japanese Mythology back to two texts from the 8th century – the 'Kojiki' and the 'Nihon Shoki' and details the many fascinating beliefs that have been held over the ages.

Clegg explores how history and politics may have popularised and shaped these stories. I was particularly interested in the parts of this books that considered the beliefs held by indegenous group in Japan. For example the female-centric religion of the Ryukyuan people.

The stories contained in this book are absolutely captivating and opened my eyes to an unfamiliar topic. The author continually relates the Myths and stories in the book to contemporary Japanese culture, a choice which brings a fantastic layer to the book. I would highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Amber books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was jam packed full of interesting information that shed a lot of light on different mythological beings I’d read about in fiction but otherwise didn’t know much about. There are so many stunning pictures throughout the book, both artwork and photographs, that really drew my eye and I enjoyed seeing some more historical depictions of different deities. This did however feel a little too encyclopedic so I struggled to absorb the information. There’s a lot of information in the book but often the entries are short, each with their own subheading, and since the different entries don’t often connect it felt very jumpy and like I had too much unrelated information to take on board.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Japanese myths have always fascinated me from a young age, so I jumped at the chance to read deeper into the topic with this being endlessly interesting to me. Clegg has written a book that took me greatly by surprise and is very much verging on the academic in which she goes back through the centuries to the early years when Japanese writing and mythology came about. This is a lot more comprehensive and extensively researched than merely a tome on famous Japanese myths which I imagine will catch some people off guard as this is not that.

This goes a lot deeper into how mythology in the country was cultivated and ties it back to culture, history, religion and beliefs at the time and shows that as each of these have evolved then so has the outlook of the country as a whole eventually impacting emerging mythology. If you are looking for the bare bones Japanese myths to be recounted without much analysis or commentary then maybe a different book would be preferential, however, where looking for more in-depth insight into said myths then this is a great option and original in its perspective.

A fascinating and well-presented book that includes more than just myths as it gives an overview of history, culture etc. It is the kind of book that you don't read--rather you pore over it to find your own interesting tidbits. Though I usually get my books from the library, this is one that I would prefer to own since I can imagine referring to it over and over again. It's very readable, and again, very visually attractive.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It would make a wonderful holiday gift!

This is an interesting introduction the heroes, monsters, and legends of Japanese myths. I wanted to learn more about this mythology since I am not as knowledgeable of this area.

When I picked up this book, I expected it to be a layman's guide to Japanese myths, maybe even like a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collection of short stories explaining them. Looking back, I have no idea why I thought that.

It's actually better than that. Clegg's book is essentially a textbook-level comprehensive view of how Japanese belief has changed with its history, and it's an excellent reference. Will I read it for fun on the beach? Absolutely not, but when I see something in a movie that feels like I should remember what it is, I'll be glad this book is on my shelf to reference.

I did receive an advance reader copy from NetGalley, but the opinion is mine!

A good book about Japanese Myths with a lot of lovely pictures. Intriguing and fascinating.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Lots of illustrations and good information. Japanese myths are so interesting and I really enjoyed this book.

There's a lot of interesting information in "Japanese Myths" but Clegg can't decide whether she wants to inventory them all in an encyclopedic format or actually tell the stories. I was hoping for a book that was a compilation of the actual myths and legends, but that's not what this book offers. Instead, it proves to be more of an academic title with beautiful formatting and layout, but a very loose definition of "myths" that includes bios on writers, the history of horror tropes in Japanese cinema, and more. Clegg is at her best when she does relate some of the many fascinating and entertaining tales of Japanese culture, but ultimately "Japanese Myths" lacks the tight focus to be about the topic of its bold title.

The book takes the reader on a trip in the past, working up to the recent myths, the once created mostly because of the internet.

Full of stories, photos, and art, 'Japanese Myths' is exactly what you expect. Starting from the creation of the world, the reader follows Japan's rise and the myths accompanying the heroes and rulers of the land.

There's also information about historians, authors, and other important figures.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book.

Toll gemacht! Sehr gut recherchiert und aufgemacht, bevor man zu den Mythen kommt, bekommt man erstmal Hintergrundinformationen für das bessere Verständnis. Man lernt unglaublich viel unabhängig davon wie viel Wahrheit in den Mythen steckt. Kann ich nur empfehlen.

This is an excellent and richly illustrated book. What's more, (and unlike other, rather superficial, accounts of mythology elsewhere) the author Melanie Clegg conveys a mature understanding of Japanese history and culture. Readers will learn much about these, as well as the heroes and stories that reflect them.

I warmly recommend “Japanese Myths” not only to people interested in mythology — which the book covers thoroughly — but also to anyone who would like to get under the skin of another society.

Studying mythology provides insights into Japanese cultural identity and the values and traditions behind it. Comprised of oral folk tales, Shinto stories and Buddhist parables, these myths have their roots in Japan, China and India. Mythology often serves as a source of sharing universal truths about morality, psychology and spirituality. By exploring myth, we not only gain a deeper appreciation for the past but also foster cross-cultural understanding and preserve cultural heritage for younger generations.

Japanese Myths is a visually pleasing guide with over 150 graphics, illustrations and photographs. Author Melanie Clegg is a freelance translator and holds a BA (Hons) in Japanese Studies from the University of Oxford. The book opens with key creation myths and with explanations of how these have been used to legitimise the ruling elite. These sections are drawn from The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the oldest chronicles that provide accounts of Japan's history and mythology, including significant events and the genealogies of early rulers.

In addition to outlining the overarching mythology collected in official chronicles, this guide also summarises notable deities, ghosts, creatures, parables, legends and folk tales. Each section succinctly provides cultural context and their significance today. The publishing space for Japanese short stories, myths and tales is crowded with previously published collections, but this book by Clegg is a fine contribution. What sets this book apart is Clegg's ability to blend scholarly research, travel writing and sociological analysis into one accessible and charming guide. Her summaries reflect her expertise and experiences of living in Japan, offering readers a glimpse into the nuances of Japanese culture without overstepping into personal narrative.

These myths show the origins of significant rituals, festivals and artistic expressions that continue on today. This book would be an excellent read for those making their first trip to Japan. For example, in the section on Tengu, it describes how "By the Edo period, they were regarded more as spirits that could be placated with the right rituals. Tengu might even be worshipped as beneficial kami and the deities of sacred mountains. The Shimokitazawa Tengu Matsuri, or Goblin Festival, celebrates Setsubun with a procession that includes a float featuring a huge tengu mask and people dressed up as a fearsome crow-like tengu and a red-nosed tengu."

The reader will appreciate the further explanation of how these tales were spread, such as through oral traditions or special parties for sharing ghost stories. Younger readers might enjoy that the text includes a collection of stories from online publishing ('Creepypasta') and modern curses. These additions show the enduring appeal of spooky stories across generations. I was especially moved by the sections relating to ghosts, which included stories about mothers who returned from the dead to feed their still living children and the modern reports of ghosts appearing after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

"I suppose it’s not that strange. So many people died in the disaster – some of them must have unfinished business. I’m sure it was a ghost that I saw. I’m not scared anymore. If I saw another customer dressed in winter garb waiting for a ride, I’d pick them up and treat them like any other passenger."

This book includes a number of translations of poems and I'm uncertain if these poems were translated by Clegg or another individual because there is no specific attribution underneath. There is a full page providing short biographies of notable translators of Japanese works, such as Lafcadio Hearn and Yei Theodora Ozaki.

Although this book covers a number of subjects that might already be familiar to those with a strong interest in Japan, it expands on these to highlight their enduring significance. Some profiles of legendary individuals touch on sensitive issues, which are a "a powerful reminder of how myth and legend can be manipulated by those who seek to use them to disseminate particular ideologies, and of how deep-rooted and insidious such beliefs can become." Significantly, this book is also distinguished from other English language publications by dedicating a fair amount of space for Ainu and Ryukyuan history and myths. These are not separated into their own section, but rather woven into the book which is mainly divided by theme.

Japanese Myths is a beautifully illustrated reference guide which covers the beliefs, customs and historical events that form the basis of Japanese society, and this is what makes it worth purchasing beyond a separate collection of translated myths. Due to its lovely presentation, this book would make a lovely gift for someone with a developing interest in Japan.

This book was provided by Amber Books for review. Amber Books is a an independent UK publisher based in London which publishes illustrated non-fiction for adults & children.

This book is absolutely beautiful and very interesting! It's clear that the author has thoroughly researched Japan's myths and the images are so vibrant and fit really well on the page. I felt a bit daunted at first as I've never been to Japan and other than studying Japanese on Duolingo I don't know much about Japan! Clegg writes in an accessible way without leaving the reader feeling lost or confused and I thought this was a great introduction to Japanese mythology.

I received an e-copy of this text and I'm sure that a physical copy would be even better.

If you are even vaguely interested in all those strange anime or manga that are filling the market these days then this book would be an invaluable partner.

Melanie Clegg delves into the origins of the myths of the ancient Japanese culture and there are plenty gods, demons and ghosts to fill this small book.

I wouldn't recommend trying to read this is one sitting (no matter how interesting it is) but rather do it in stages and use it as a research tool. Ms Clegg describes the different eras of Japan, it's religions and their progression into modern culture. She also tells some great tales and ghost stories along the way, mixing it with traditions and holidays, religious days and celebrations.

I'd have to say one of my favourite tales (and if you've watched ant Ghibli or read manga or watched anime films or series you will be familiar with the modern takes on ancient tales) is one I've never heard. It deals with the bad luck brought about by people - in this case a likeness of Colonel Sanders that was thrown in a lake by exhuberant fans after their baseball team won. Unfortunately the statue was not recovered and bad luck descended on the team who did not win another cup. I won't tell you what happened next but it has a mixed outcome.

Read the book. It is fascinating with beautiful illustrations, stories and much more. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Japanese culture.