Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
Japanese mythology is a collection of legends, beliefs, and folklore that originated on the islands that make up the Japanese archipelago.
See the fact file below for more information on Japanese Mythology, or you can download our 29-page Japanese Mythology worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
BRIEF HISTORY OF JAPAN
- The Paleolithic, Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods are included in the prehistoric and ancient age of Japan, which spans from 35,000 BCE to 538 CE. The Stone Age, more precisely the Paleolithic era, saw the earliest humans inhabit the Japanese archipelago. They are thought to have acquired abilities that allowed them to craft stone implements.
- The Yayoi period is from 300 BCE to 250 CE, while the Kofun period is from 250 to 538 CE.
- Japan, which was first colonized by people who fled the Asian mainland in prehistoric times, has experienced the rise and fall of emperors, samurai warrior control, seclusion from the outside world, expansion across much of Asia, defeat, and rebirth.
- Later, it became one of the most belligerent nations in the early 20th century. Now, it frequently speaks for pacifism and restraint on the global stage.
RELIGIONS INFLUENCING THE MYTHOLOGY
- Early Japan was shaped by legends and folklore. From its creation to the establishment of the empire and in the modern era, many Japanese people still believe in the old legends.
- On the other hand, the foundations of Japanese mythology are Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Ainu, Okinawan, and the history of countless years of contact with Korea are also significant influences on Japanese mythology.
Shinto
- Prior to the sixth century C.E., Shinto, or the “way of the spirits or deities,” started to take shape in Japan. In this early stage, the clan served as the primary social unit in a preliterate culture that practiced Shinto as its official religion.
- The natural world was thought to be permeated by Shinto deities or kami.
- Trees, mountains, rivers, and rocks with unusual or impressive shapes might all be regarded as kami, but so could people.
- According to an early story created by the dominant clan of the sixth and seventh centuries, the Yamato clan—later called the Imperial family—the emperor was a descendant of their guardian kami, the sun goddess Amaterasu.
- Great warriors and poets, for instance, have also been acknowledged as kami because of their unique talents.
Buddhism
- Buddhism is a religion that provides a method to overcome life’s suffering.
- Samsara, the unending cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation to which all beings are subject, is the outcome of one’s karma, or the total of one’s good and bad deeds accrued throughout a number of lives.
MYTHICAL ORIGIN OF JAPAN
- According to Japanese mythology, everything in nature possesses a kami, divinity, or spirit. The Japanese pantheon is immense; according to some accounts, there are millions of different spirits and deities.
- Local myths and stories in Japan sometimes describe the kami of a specific location, such as a rock, a pair of trees, or a mountain.
- However, a number of notable deities make substantial appearances in numerous tales from various cultures. Izanagi and his sister Izanami are the two most significant creation gods.
- The tales claim that they created many gods and goddesses in addition to the Japanese islands. Izanagi and Izanami also make an appearance in a tale about a journey to Yomi-tsu Kuni, a place of death and the afterlife.
The First Emperor Jimmu
- Jimmu-Tenn, the first emperor of Japan, is credited with ruling between the years 660 and 585 BCE.
- But it wasn’t until more than 1000 years later, when the custom of naming Emperors after their demise started, that he was given this title.
- In Japanese mythology, he was both a descendant of the storm god Susanoo and the sun goddess Amaterasu through her grandson Ninigi.
- He founded Yamato as his capital after mounting an invasion from Hyuga, a town close to the Seto Inland Sea. It has been emphasized by historians that there is no proof that Jimmu ever existed.
- The majority of academics concur that Jimmu is a legendary figure and that the traditional account of Japan’s founding is fictitious.
JAPANESE DEITIES
The Kamis
- The term “Kami,” meaning “spirit” or “superior” in Japanese, refers to all spiritual beings worshipped in the Shinto religion and can be either a god or a spirit.
- Kamis can be personified deities similar to those in ancient Greek or Roman mythology. The term also refers to the spirits of nature. In addition, certain high-ranking people, such as emperors and clan leaders, might be part of them after their death.
The Seven Lucky Gods
- According to the Humane King Sutra, if one worships the Seven Lucky Gods, they will protect them from the seven disasters and grant them the seven benefits of happiness.
- The Seven Lucky Gods come from a variety of traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism.
- Ebisu, also known as Yebisu, is one of the Seven Lucky gods and the only one with Japanese roots. He is the God of Fishing, Shipping, and Commerce.
- The next deity is Daikokuten, who was formerly a Hindu warrior god by the name of Mahkla before being introduced to Japan as the God of Wealth and Prosperity.
- The God of Warriors, Bishamonten, is likewise a product of Indian Buddhism. He is also a God of Protection Against Evil.
- Benzaiten, the sole female member of the Shichi Fukujin, was formerly known as Benten and was a Hindu deity of water. She is portrayed in Japanese culture as the goddess of learning and the arts.
- Hotei, also called Budai, is the God of Happiness and Abundance. He is claimed to be based on a real-life hermit from China named Budaishi.
Japanese Mythology Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Japanese Mythology across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Japanese Mythology; Japanese Mythology is a collection of legends, beliefs, and folklore that originated on the islands that make up the Japanese archipelago.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Japanese Mythology Facts
- Finding Japan
- The Creators
- The Precious Children
- Seven Lucky Gods
- The Yokais – Kaiju
- The Yokais – Choshizen
- The Yokais – Henge
- The Yokais – Yurei
- The Scary Spirits
- The World of Mythology
- Mythology in Animation
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main gods in Japanese mythology?
The main gods in Japanese mythology include Amaterasu, the sun goddess; Tsukuyomi, the moon god; and Susanoo, the god of storms and the sea.
How does Shintoism relate to Japanese mythology?
Shintoism is the native religion of Japan and has been deeply influenced by the country’s mythology. Many of the gods and goddesses in Japanese mythology are considered to be kami (or “gods”) in Shintoism.
Who is the god of fire in Japanese mythology?
The god of fire in Japanese mythology is known as Kagutsuchi or Homusubi. He is the son of Izanagi and Izanami and his birth caused his mother’s death.
What is the significance of the cherry blossom in Japanese mythology?
The cherry blossom is seen as a symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the transience of all things in Japanese mythology and culture. It is also associated with the goddess Sakura, who is considered a symbol of renewal and hope.
What is the story behind the creation of Japan in Japanese mythology?
According to Japanese mythology, the creation of Japan was the result of the actions of the gods Izanagi and Izanami. They descended to the primordial chaos of the universe and created the islands of Japan by dipping a spear into the ocean and then solidifying the drops of water that fell back into the ocean.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Japanese Mythology Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 12, 2023
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.