Introduction to the Japanese Folklore

Japan have so many foklore which is heavily influenced by both Shinto and Buddhism, the two primary religions in the country. It often involves humorous or bizarre characters and situations and also includes an assortment of supernatural beings, such as, kami (gods and revered spirits), yōkai (monster-spirits), yūrei (ghosts), and animals with supernatural powers such as the kitsune (fox), tanuki (raccoon dog), and bakeneko (transforming cat), as well as sacred objects and possessed objects. Nonetheless, these are stories handed down for many generations that have a basis in fact with perhaps a little fiction and superstition thrown in over time. 

Statue of Urashima Tarō in Mitoyo, Kagawa

Japanese folklore is often divided into several categories: mukashibanashi (tales of long ago); namidabanashi (sad stories); obakebanashi (ghost stories); ongaeshibanashi (stories of repaying kindness); tonchibanashi (witty stories); waraibanashi (funny stories); and yokubaribanashi (stories of greed). It also encompasses Yukar (ユーカラ）, or Ainu folktales. 

The folklore of Japan has been influenced by foreign literature as well as the kind of spirit worship prevalent all throughout prehistoric Asia. Some stories of ancient India were influential in shaping Japanese stories by providing them with materials. Indian materials were greatly modified and adapted in such a way as would appeal to the sensibilities of common people of Japan in general, transmitted through China and Korea.

Some well-known Japanese folktales and legends include:

• The story of Kintarō (金太郎), the superhuman Golden Boy.


• The story of Momotarō (桃太郎), the oni-slaying Peach Boy.


• The story of Urashima Tarō (浦島太郎), who rescued a turtle and visited the bottom of the sea.


• The story of Issun-bōshi (一寸法師), the One-inch Boy.


• The story of Tokoyo, a girl who reclaimed the honor of her samurai father.


• Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜 or 文福茶釜), the story of a teakettle which is actually a shape-changing tanuki.


• The story of the wicked fox-woman Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前).


• Shita-kiri Suzume (舌切り雀), the story of the tongue-cut sparrow.


• The story of the vengeful Kiyohime (清姫), who became a dragon.


• Banchō Sarayashiki (番町皿屋敷), the ghost story of Okiku and the Nine Plates.


• Yotsuya Kaidan (四谷怪談), the ghost story of Oiwa.


• Hanasaka Jiisan (花咲か爺, the story of the old man that made the flowers bloom.


• Taketori Monogatari (竹取物語, The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), about a mysterious girl called Kaguya-hime (かぐや姫 or 赫映姫) who is said to be from the capital of the moon.


• Jiraiya Goketsu Monogatari (児雷也豪傑物語) or The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya.