Tag Archives: folklore

Incarnation and A Bridge Not Too Far

Posted on Thursday, February 29, 2024 by wildinjapan

Hi blog. As February draws to a close – acutally, the warmest February on record, with several days that were actually warm during the mid-afternoon, culminating in the 20th topping 22℃. The weather crashed in time for the Emperor’s Birthday … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Culture and Tradition, Folklore and Mythology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Hell Hath No Wrath

Posted on Friday, August 4, 2023 by wildinjapan

Hi blog. I am now officially taking some well(?) deserved holidays. The English Summer Camp was a success – thanks to all the ALTs, Board of Education staff, volunteers, and, of course, kids – who came together and made it … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Culture and Tradition, Folklore and Mythology | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Nitta and the Rat Yakushi

Posted on Thursday, November 3, 2022 by wildinjapan

Hi, blog November has arrived and although the mornings are often quite chilly and in the upper single digit temperature range, afternoons may top 20℃. Recently we received the monthly city newspaper and something caught my eye. It was a … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Culture and Tradition, Folklore and Mythology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Mermaid Examination

Posted on Sunday, March 13, 2022 by wildinjapan

Hi, blog. Here is another short folklore-based post. Avid readers may remember a few years ago I posted an entry on Japanese mermaids, and mentioned both how certain temples claimed to own mummified mermaids, and that mermaids were manufactured for … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Splitting the Murder Stone

Posted on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 by wildinjapan

Taking leave of my friend in Kurobane, I started for the Murder Stone, so called because it killed birds and insects that approached it. Matsuo Basho, The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Penguin Classics translation by Nobuyuki Yuasa) Hi … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Feeling Crabby

Posted on Saturday, January 8, 2022 by wildinjapan

“Recite the story of the battle at Dan-no-ura,—for the pity of it is the most deep.” Then Hōïchi lifted up his voice, and chanted the chant of the fight on the bitter sea,—wonderfully making his biwa to sound like the … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Nitta Was Here

Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2021 by wildinjapan

Hi blog. I’ve finally been able to take advantage of my time and the weather to throw together a quick post which I was originally hoping would be last month’s miraculous fourth post instead of what could be a miraculous … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Count Your Dishes (Before They’re Smashed)

Posted on Sunday, February 9, 2020 by wildinjapan

A shudder went through both at the sight. Wan, frail, the beautiful anguished evil face of a girl could be seen through the long tangled hair framing it. Slender to the emaciation of great suffering she knelt before the pile … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Folklore and Mythology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

These boots are made for walking

Posted on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 by wildinjapan

Hi blog. Sorry about the unintended break from blogging.  Summer holidays involving lots of being on standby at home, rain and work days don’t lead to posts. This post comes courtesy of Ian “the Goat” deciding to return to Japan … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reblogged: A walk on Mt. Mitake brings encounters with wolf and mountain lore | Heritage of Japan

Posted on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 by wildinjapan

Hi blog. Avid readers may remember posts about the Mitsumine Shrine and the wolf cult centred around it.  I mentioned a similar set of beliefs based at the Mitake Shrine on Mt. Mitake. Well, Heritage of Japan has tied up … Continue reading →

Rate this:

Posted in Suburban wildlife | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Reblogged: A walk on Mt. Mitake brings encounters with wolf and mountain lore | Heritage of Japan