some Japanese creatures of myth and the celestial beings of legend

1. Japanese Folktales
and
Myths

2. • adapted from the Chinese mythology
• Corresponding season, elements, and
color
GENBU (tortoise)
• Longevity and wisdom
• Black
• Foretelling of the future
• Northern direction
• Water Element
4Four Gods

3. • BYAKKO (WHITE TIGER)
• Western direction
• Metal element
• Righteousness
• God of war (fights armies
and demons)
4Four Gods

4. • SUZAKU (PHOENIX)
• Vermillion bird
• Southern direction
• Fire element
• The empress
• Noble behavior
4Four Gods

5. • SEIRYU (DRAGON)
• Azure
• Eastern direction
• Wood element
• Propriety
• Supports and maintains
the country
• Control’s rain (Emperor)
• Benevolent and powerful
4Four Gods

6. • KOURYU
• Yellow dragon of the
Center
• Earth element
• A hornless dragon that
symbolizes the emperor
of Japan
4Four Gods

7. • Kitsune
• Fox
• a prominent feature in Japanese
folklore since 7th century
• In traditional Japanese religion, the
rice god, Inari takes the form of a fox
and also employs foxes as his servants
and messengers.
• typically depicted as evil creatures
who can invade and possess people's
bodies.
SomeMythicalCreatures

8. • Nine Tails
• Kyubi
• depicted as a malevolent fox spirit
who usually takes the form of a
woman, manipulating and causing
death and destruction
• In many stories, the kyubi escapes
from its killers and re-appears to
wreck havoc after a span of many
years
SomeMythicalCreatures

9. • Yuki-Onna
• a female spirit who appears
during a snowstorm
• Usually malevolent, but is
sometimes portrayed as lonely
and seeking love
• Can control snow and ice
SomeMythicalCreatures