In the fifth century, China was viewed as the head of a tributary system in East Asia. In 478, a document presented by Emperor Yūryaku of Wa—as Japan was then known—to Emperor Shun of the Liu Song ...

Some of the scariest Japanese urban legends, like those in this bone-chilling list, are intertwined with reality. Whether from cautionary tales, mysterious occurrences or eerie happenings, these ...

Artists, writers and craftsmen have long been inspired by Japanese legends, and down in the town of Oe in Kyoto Prefecture, a local legend has given birth to a giant sweet. Known as Oni Manju (“Demon ...

Japanese mythology and folklore set down in the Kojiki, Nihon shoki, and other ancient chronicles describe Japan’s yaoyorozu no kami—all the diverse, countless gods throughout the country. Shintō ...