Japanese Folk and Myth in Anime Essay Example for Free

Japanese Folk and figment in Anime EssayIn order to answer the above question, well need to set a line between myth and folklore. harmonise to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Myth is defined as a popular feeling or tradition that has grown up around something or someone especially one em torsoing the ideals and institutions of a society or segment of a society. According to the same dictionary, folklore is defined as conventional customs, tales, sayings, dances, or art forms preserved among a people and an often unsupported notion, story, or saying that is widely circulated. What does this say exactly? It basically explains that a myth is the idea of a society and that folklore is the medium for expressing the idea. some new(prenominal) notion that Id like to pre displace is that myths, in general, are used to explain un advertable occurrences and supernatural in timets, like creation, animals, gods, rain, death, bugs, animate beings, and everything else that goes bump i n the night.Within most Japanese myths, at that place is a creature or being that unintentionally causes a major event or does some significant action, and the extensive majority of Japanese mythology deals with a great deal of gods, goddesses, spirits, and creatures (so many that the list literally goes from A to Z). leg off of myth, folklore tells the tales of people and creatures, and how they overcome or succumb to a crisis or conflict. Most of these tales are most how the world came into being, and wherefore things are the way they are.Some are as complex as to why the sun rises and sets and why death happens, to demons that haunt bathrooms (Aka Manto and Akaname). A lot of the legends told in mythology are deeply grow in nature and intricately describe the coming of the varying lands and elements earth, wind, water, fire, and lightning. Some deal with customs and traditions, spot others are ab come out legendary animals and even specific locations like a cave or an isla nd.As stated above, there are many different categories in Japanese myth and folklore Creation, landscape, seasons, life and death, spirits, and other lesser categories like animals and traditions. The concept of the creation myth is very simple and is greatly represented indoors the anime series Naruto and Pokemon. Naruto As the reader may or may not know is that Naruto is an ongoing Japanese manga comic drawn and written by Masashi Kishimoto. This series has become widely know throughout Japan, and since its inception has quickly claimed number one on many official and unofficial charts.The story of Naruto tells the grow of a young boy of the same name. He is a ninja of the Vill maturate Hidden in the Leaves, besides known as Konohgakure (KOH-NO-HAH-GAH-KUR-REH). Approximately twelve years prior to the beginning of the series, a Nine-Tailed Fox heart and soul attacked the village. The Hokage (literally shadow of fire), person/leader revered for being the wisest and most power ful, sealed the demon inside a newborn child, Naruto Uzumaki. Because the demon destroyed the village and took many lives, many people shunned Naruto and treated him as if he were the demon fox itself.This, however, drove Naruto to become the Hokage in order to gain the respect of the village. During the series he gets fuddleder and trains with his friends/teammates Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and the team captain Kakashi Hatake, on with countless other strong ninja, such as Jiraiya and, Orochimaru (main antagonist). Character Naruto Uzumaki ?As stated above Naruto Uzumaki is the main protagonist of the series and a very adept ninja. As a child he was shunned by almost everyone in his village, and treated with hate and distain.This caused him to misbehave and act out in order to get the perplexity he wanted. Because of the prejudice and isolation he suffered, Naruto began to yearn for attention and acknowledgement, he similarly strove to become the Hokage. Since he became a ni nja, however, hes had to prove himself measure and time again, showing that despite being a troublemaker, he is withal a devoted and kind hearted person. In addition, over time his flat coats for gaining the title Hokage have changed being from wanting attention to wanting to protect his friends, love ones, and his home.At times he can be childish, having a chubby green frog figured wallet named Gama-Chan, being a picky eater, even mischievous, yet when someone or something is in peril he can become serious and will always help his friends, being loyal to a fault. Folklore Naruto Uzumaki The first thing that Id like you to notice are the whisker marks on both of his cheeks. This is from the Nine-tailed Fox spirit that resides at heart him. The demon fox is known as Kurama, and he is a Kitsune. Within the world of Japanese Myth and folklore, the kitsune are a popular subject for Japanese stories.According to legend they are a powerful, intelligent, and ancient race with many ma gical abilities, such as shape shifting and utilizing their wisdom and ranking(a) intelligence to cause either misfortune or joy. The way that they tint to the anime Naruto is that, like Naruto, kitsune are known to be mischievous and prevailful, yet can also be loyal and very powerful, like the title character himself. They are portrayed, more often than not, as tricksters that play pranks for either entertainment or vengeance, and being either kind or malevolent.Similar to the character, once a kitsune is convinced to complete an action it will put all of its effort and focus on it, even if it costs it its life. Character Sasuke Uchiha Contrary to his current persona, Sasuke was a very kind and cheerful child. This changed, however, when his entire circle, including his parents, were killed in a massacre by his older brother, Itachi, leaving the two as the only surviving clan members and instantly orphaned. Since then, hes become very cynical and even sadistic. Even at the age of seven, Sasuke was extremely talented, mastering techniques many years ahead of his time.He later joined forces with his childhood rival, Naruto along with Sakura Haruno, and the team captain Kakashi Hatake. At first, he was indifferent and felt superiority over his teammates, but opens up over time, seeing them as family and friends. His main goal was to kill his brother for the murder of their entire clan, which entailed his forgoing from his village. Prior to this, though, he is attacked and inflicted with Orochimrus Cursed Seal of Heaven mark, expectant him immense strength, and a reason to go after his brother.Three years pass since is defection and he has grown greatly, growing strong enough to defeat Orochimaru. Folklore Sasuke Uchiha ?Before I begin I must say that this character in particular has a lot of allusions to Japanese myth and lore. In any well written story, the name is a key part of how the character may be perceived. This is true(a) for many characters, bu t perchance even more so for the character Sasuke. His name is derived from the character Sarutobi Sasuke, and when inspected the name can be upset(a) up into saru (monkey) and tobi (jump).The famous shinobi (ninja) was known for his monkey like agility and acrobatic prowess. Even at a young age, Sasuke of Naruto was seen as a child prodigy, being skilled in weaponry and physically superior to his class mates. Artists rendition of proud regalia An avid Naruto fan may also take notice of Sasukes ocular energy known as the Sharingan. The sharingan, also called the reflect ramble eye, is a genetic ability shared only by people within the Uchiha clan. The name itself and the symbols within it are allusions to the imperial regalia of Japan the Yata Mirror, the sword known as Kusanagi, and the Magatama jewel.In myth the reflect was used to lure the sun goddess Amaterasu out of a cave, bringing sunlight back to the world, and represents the truth as it can only reflects what is trul y in front of it. Upon closer inspection, one may notice that within the eye are up to three marks surrounding the pupil. The comma -like marks are known as Tomoe. The Tomoe represent a multitude of ideas and objects. The most prominent of them are that they represent the second of the imperial regalia, the Magatama jewel.Along with the mirror, the jewel was employed to lure Amaterasu out Tomoe highlighted in red f the cave where she hid. The jewels were also sacred gifts given to her by the god of jewels, Ame-no-Futodama-no-mikoto. The Tomoe also represents the war deity Hachiman. Ancient samurai would adorn their fit out with this crest to bring good fortune on the battlefield. Susanoo Along with the mirror and the jewel, there is the Kusanagi Sword, or poop Cutting Sword (? ) In the story, Susanoo earns a sword from vanquishing an eight headed snake (Yamata-no-Orochimaru) and pulls it from its body.He then presents it to her to finalize an old rivalry between them. The sword t hen was called Sword of Gathering Clouds of Heaven, and it was in the self-control of a skilled warrior, Yamato Takeru. In his battles he discovers that the sword is able to control the air in the anxiety in which it is cast. According to legend he was in tall grass field. An emperor then sent flaming arrows at him, trying to ignite the grass and burn him alive. In one foul swoop, Yamato extirpation down the entire field and sent the arrows back with the swords burst of air.In the anime, Sasuke wields a sword by the same name and it is able to cut air, levitate the sword, and transmit the users ability to control lightning. Furthermore, the original sword that Sasuke wielded was taken from his former master Orochimaru, a ninja whos theme and transformation-or true self- was an eight headed snake. Aside from the mere appearance of the Sharingan, the ocular magnificence holds other powers. To understand this, we must go back and learn a little about Japanese Creation Myth. In the b eginning there were two gods Izanami (first woman) and Izanagi (first man).They created the eight islands of Japan and brought fire to the world, but in doing so, Izanami lost her life while giving birth to the god of fire. Stricken with depression, Izanagi went into Yomi (Hell) to retrieve his beloved. In the darkness, he found Izanami. She told him not to look at her, whish confused him, but he agreed. He begged her to return with him, but she had already eaten the food of the underworld, and could no longer leave. She agreed, though, and told him that she needed to rest. After waiting for Izanami, Izanagi grew worried, so he ventured back into Yomi.He lit a torch this time and what he saw disgusted him Izanamis once beautiful and elegant body was ruined by decay and foul creatures. He let out a cry and ran to the entranceway to the world of the living. She sent creatures after him, but he managed to escape. She exclaimed that if he left(p), she would take 1,000 people every day , as he escaped he replied to create 1,500 people, thus starting the cycle of life and death. After escaping from Yomi, Izanagi wished to rectify himself. He discarded his clothing, which formed gods, and went into the river.As he washed his face, three major gods were created Amaterasu from the left eye, Tsukuyomi from the skilful eye, and Suasanoo from his nose. These three controlled the sun, idle, and sea and storms respectively. In the anime the Sharingan has many abilities, yet the most feared of them are the techniques Amaterasu the Heavenly Illumination, Tsukuyomi the moon reader, and Susanoo Tempestuous God of Valor. The Sharingan allows the user to cast inextinguishable flames that never cease until its target is incinerated and are depict as the flames of hell, burning as hot as the sun itself.Sasuke is able to summon these flames out of his left eye, and from his right is the illusionary weapon Tsukuyomi. This is the ability to trap an enemy in a dream, or kinda nig htmare, and torture them through their mind by controlling senses. Along with Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, there is Susanoo a summoned warrior thats do of the users spiritual energy. The demon warrior is usually portrayed in cloth garments and wielding the sword of Kusanagi and the Yata mirror as a shield.