{"id":26891,"date":"2020-05-29T05:16:25","date_gmt":"2020-05-29T04:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/?p=26891"},"modified":"2025-02-25T12:08:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T12:08:22","slug":"shinto-and-buddhist-influences-on-anime-and-manga-part-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/29\/shinto-and-buddhist-influences-on-anime-and-manga-part-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Shinto and Buddhist Influences on Anime and Manga &#8211; Part II"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Part II<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">I\u2019ve described how Japanese religions have made an impression on the country\u2019s main media export:\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and anime. References to Japanese religion and folklore often appear in media as tropes,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">storytelling devices for describing situations the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">creator<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0can assume the audience will recognize.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/29\/shinto-and-buddhist-influences-on-anime-and-manga-part-i\/\">In Part I we examined Shinto and natural themes<\/a> which appear in popular anime and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0works. Here, we\u2019ll look at how the storytellers use\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0as a source of supernatural power, and as protagonists in other modern stories.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><b>Kami<\/b><\/em><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><em>\u00a0<\/em>as a Source of Supernatural Power<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In other fantasy anime and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0works,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are the source of a character\u2019s spiritual power or the driving force behind otherworldly events. Gods of death, called\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shinigami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, are often referenced in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">anime a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">nd in two famous series,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bleach<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Death\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Note<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the main characters acquire the powers of\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shinigami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. In\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bleach<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, this turns the protagonist\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ichigo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0into a hero who fights against evil spirits, communicates with souls of the deceased, and adventures into the realms of spirits and ghosts. In contrast,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Death Note<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0protagonist Light uses his\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shinigami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0powers to impose his unforgiving worldview on society and kill those he deems unworthy.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27123\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27123\" style=\"width: 400px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27123 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ShunsenShinigami.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ShunsenShinigami.jpg 400w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ShunsenShinigami-239x300.jpg 239w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/ShunsenShinigami-390x489.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27123\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Representation of the &#8216;Shinigami&#8217; from Ehon Hyaku Monogatari (1841)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Likewise, in Makoto\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shinkai\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">film\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weathering\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0You<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, a girl named\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hina<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is a vessel for special powers bestowed by the gods: her prayers can drive away rain and bring sunshine. In this film as in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shinkai\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0previous blockbuster hit\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your Name<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the power of\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is entwined with nature.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weathering\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0You<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0also prominently features Shinto and folkloric imagery. In many scenes\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hina<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0prays for sunny weather at a rooftop shrine with an iconic red\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">torii<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0gate; the trailer for the movie shows raindrops reversing course as she passes through the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">torii<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, which is considered the boundary between the human and spiritual realms. \u201cGood weather dolls\u201d called\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">teru<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">teru<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bozu<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0also show up frequently in the film. These dolls resemble little ghosts and are said to be modeled after a bald-headed Buddhist monk whose hairless pate shines in the sun;\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">teru<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">teru<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">bozu<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0literally means \u201cshiny, shiny monk.\u201d Japanese children often make these dolls out of tissue paper as talismans against bad weather.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lastly, many series feature young women in the role of\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">miko<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, or \u201cshrine maidens\u201d who work at Shinto shrines in service to the gods.\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Miko<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are instantly recognizable in their striking regalia of white\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kimono<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> and red <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hakama <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">trousers. Famous <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">miko<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in Japanese popular media include Hino\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Rei<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0(also known as Sailor Mars) in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sailor Moon<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">; <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Kikyo<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and Kagome in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">; and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mitsuha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yotsuha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your Name<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. Although in real life\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">miko\u2019<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0duties include keeping the shrine clean and selling charms to visitors, in\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">works of fiction and fantasy\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">miko<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0role as a spiritual servant often grants them supernatural abilities, including the power to exorcise evil spirits and purify corrupted humans or environments. The most apparent example of this is Sailor Mars\u2019\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ofuda<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Shinto paper\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">talismans, which <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">she uses to dispel evil spirits and enemies. These\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ofuda<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are printed with the words \u201c<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">akuryo<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">taisan<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d (\u201cevil spirit, disperse\u201d), and in the English translations\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of the<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0anime and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0she often yells \u201cEvil spirit,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">begone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!\u201d or \u201cEvil spirit, be exorcised!\u201d while throwing the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ofuda<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0towards her target.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27092\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27092\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27092 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-720x389.jpg\" alt=\"Spirited Away\" width=\"720\" height=\"389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-720x389.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-1024x553.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-768x415.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-564x305.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-1536x830.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-1200x648.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-900x486.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-1440x778.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-390x211.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-780x421.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290-510x276.jpg 510w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/c1255.0290.jpg 2010w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27092\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">No-face, Chihiro and Zeniba from &#8216;Spirited Away&#8217; (image courtesy of Studio Ghibli &amp; Studio Canal)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Gods, Demons, and Spirits as Main Characters<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Finally, there are a number of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and anime that focus on gods and demons as the main characters in their story, rather than just their influence on the human world.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hayao<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Miyazaki<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Princess\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Mononoke<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Spirited Away <\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">feature <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> among their casts of characters, although the main protagonists are human. <\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27095\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27095\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27095 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-720x420.jpg\" alt=\"Princess Mononoke\" width=\"720\" height=\"420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-720x420.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-1024x598.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-564x329.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-1536x896.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-2048x1195.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-1200x700.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-900x525.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-1440x840.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-390x228.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-780x455.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/mononoke_3-510x298.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27095\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">San and Moro &#8211; the god of wolves &#8211; from &#8216;Princess Mononoke&#8217; (image courtesy of Studio Ghibli &amp; Studio Canal)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In contrast, the series <\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Noragami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0are stories about gods and demons themselves.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/coronavirus-2020\/\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Noragami<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/coronavirus-2020\/\">\u00a0<\/a>(\u201cStray god\u201d) is the story of a down-and-out god called\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yato<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0who doesn\u2019t even have a shrine to his name. In order to establish his reputation and gain more devotees,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yato<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0performs a number of odd jobs for a symbolically significant fee of five yen (In Japanese, the words \u201cfive yen\u201d are a homonym for \u201cconnection\u201d or \u201crelationship,\u201d and therefore offerings of five yen are often made at Shinto shrines to establish a good connection with the\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">). He meets a human girl called\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hiyori<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, who due to an\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">accident is able to separate her soul from her body and enter the spiritual realm where gods and human souls dwell. More than any other series I\u2019ve seen recently,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Noragami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is based on Shinto mythology (admittedly with heavy embellishment). Famous Shinto and Buddhist deities are recurring characters in the series, and the two\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">main arcs of the anime revolve<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0heavily around the themes of purification of corruption and sin.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27003\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27003\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27003 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami.jpg\" alt=\"Inugami by Sawaki Suushi\" width=\"640\" height=\"444\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami.jpg 640w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami-564x391.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami-390x271.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Suushi_Inugami-510x354.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27003\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">&#8216;Inugami&#8217; from Sawaki Suushi&#8217;s Hyakkai-Zukan (illustrated volume of 100 demons)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and anime\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">also has a firm foundation in Shinto ideas and Japanese folklore. The titular character is half human and half\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">inugami<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">or\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">youkai<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(translated into English as \u201cdog demon\u201d) who seeks a powerful jewel called the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shikon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Jewel (or \u201cJewel of Four Souls\u201d) that will transform him into a full demon. The series\u2019 second main character, Kagome, is a Tokyo\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">highschooler<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0from the modern day who gets transported back to ancient Japan when she falls through a well on the property of her family\u2019s shrine. After meeting\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in the alternate universe of ancient Japan, Kagome comes to realize that she is the reincarnation of a powerful priestess from this time period and that the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shikon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Jewel is hidden inside her body.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The story\u2019s premise alone is full of Shinto symbolism; as mentioned before, Kagome is the reincarnation of a Shinto priestess and is shown to have extraordinary purification powers as associated with\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">miko<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">in fiction. When Kagome falls through the well at her family\u2019s shrine, she crosses the same boundary that\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hina<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0crosses in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weathering with You<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and falls into the past and into the realm of spirits and\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_27125\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-27125\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-27125 size-half-width\" src=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-720x480.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-564x376.jpg 564w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/insidejapan.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/DSC01747_ScreenSharpen-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-27125\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A torii and shimenawa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Weathering\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0You<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0this boundary is represented with a\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">torii<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">;<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">wellhouse<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is marked with a sacred rope (<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shimenawa<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) indicating a sacred place or spot known to attract\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shikon<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Jewel, which drives the plot of the story, is also a reference to the Shinto concept of\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ichirei<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shikon<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, meaning \u201cone spirit, four souls.\u201d According to this idea, both\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kami<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and humans have four souls that make up their single spirit. As the story progresses, Kagome and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inuyasha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0battle and befriend various demons, monsters, and humans, some of which are established in Japanese folklore (like foxes and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/01\/tanuki\"><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tanuki<\/span><\/i><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">) and some of which are the product of the illustrator\u2019s imagination.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This article only encompasses a small portion of the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">manga<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and anime that include references to Japanese religion and folklore. What are your favorite kinds of Japanese media, and have you noticed any Buddhist or Shinto tropes?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:276}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F26891\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Part II\u00a0 I\u2019ve described how Japanese religions have made an impression on the country\u2019s main media export:\u00a0manga\u00a0and anime. References to Japanese religion and folklore often appear in media as tropes,\u00a0storytelling devices for describing situations the\u00a0creator\u00a0can assume the audience will recognize.\u00a0\u00a0In Part I we examined Shinto and natural [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":65,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2525,2367],"tags":[1299,1720,1846,2140],"class_list":["post-26891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-japanese-arts-and-entertainment","category-japanese-culture-and-history","tag-anime","tag-japanese-culture","tag-manga","tag-studio-ghibli"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26891","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/65"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26891"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26891\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34844,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26891\/revisions\/34844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}