#FolkloreThursday #JapaneseFolklore

Enchanted forests are described in the oldest folklore. Home to fairies, witches, and other inquisitive beings, the forest can feature as a place of threatening danger, one of refuge, or a chance at adventure. I seek solace in the forest. (Img: A. Rackham") #FolkloreThursday

If a tree reaches 100 years of age, it's soul develops the ability to manifest out of its body. In Japan this is called a Kodama (木霊), a tree with a manifesting spirit. What form they take varies, and they can defend their forest with force. #FolkloreThursday 🖼️: M. Meyer

In Japan, when rain falls from a clear sky, it's said that foxes are having a wedding #FolkloreThursday art by Mizuki Shigeru

Tanabata, the Star Festival, celebrates the once-yearly meeting of lovers Orihime and Hikoboshi (the stars Vega and Altair) who are separated by the river of the Milky Way. Colorful streamers and wishes written on slips of paper are hung on bamboo #FolkloreThursday art Hiroshige

NINGYO (人魚, "human fish") #Yōkai first appears in the Nihonshoki in Osaka in the year 619. Ningyo bring good fortune & immortality if consumed, as in the myth of Happyaku bikuni, an 800 year old nun, who ate a Ningyo as a child. Images: Meyer; Hsu #FolkloreThursday

I wish I was in Tokyo to see this one.

Lucille Clerc

Ōmiya in Rain by Kawase Hasui, 1930

#Caturday

"Alone, Listening - A woodpecker." Santoka (images: Hasui Kawase / Koson Ohara)

I'm not using this platform at the moment but just wanted to say that I've started a newsletter where I'll be writing a bit more about Japanese folklore and culture. Just the intro post for now but it's a start. Otherwise I'm on 🟦sky. open.substack.com/pub/curiousord…

Just stopping by to say I've started a Substack & today I shared a post about snakes in Japanese Folklore to celebrate the #LunarNewYear and to welcome the #YearOfTheSnake. 🐍 open.substack.com/pub/curiousord…. #LegendaryWednesday #WyrdWednesday #FolkloreThursday 🎨Kitagawa Utamaro, 1788