Yokai.com is an illustrated encyclopedia of Japanese folklore, with entries on ghosts, monsters, and legendary figures.
Japanese Mythology
This site shares Japanese mythology and folklore, including stories about the twelve-animal zodiac.
About Japanese Mythology
Japanese Mythology & Folklore is an English-language WordPress.com site that shares Japanese mythology and folklore, with a detailed article on the junishi, the twelve-animal zodiac. The article traces the junishi to ancient China, describes its assignment to months, compass directions and hours, and notes its introduction to Japan around the 4th century A.D. It recounts the animal race folktale, regional shrine practices such as Sendai's twelve zodiac-linked shrines, and modern hariko papier-mâché or ceramic zodiac figurines as New Year decorations.
The site includes links to external sellers for individual or full sets of zodiac figurines and a list of further reading. It states that the article is not sponsored and that the author receives no profit from linked products. Pricing for the site or products is not provided.
Key features
- Explains junishi origins, calendar roles and introduction to Japan
- Recounts the zodiac animal race and the cat's exclusion
- Describes Sendai's twelve zodiac-associated shrine tradition
- Covers hariko papier-mâché and ceramic zodiac figurines
- Links to external sellers for individual or set purchases
- Lists further reading on Japanese zodiac topics
Best for: Readers seeking an introductory overview of the Japanese zodiac's history, folklore, regional traditions and related folk crafts.
Good for
- Provides historical context from ancient China to the Edo period.
- Includes a folktale explanation for the zodiac order and the cat's absence.
- States the article is not sponsored and the author receives no profit from linked products.
Watch out for
- Pricing for the site or linked products is not stated.
- Homepage excerpt focuses primarily on the junishi rather than mythology and folklore broadly.
- Product links go to external sellers; availability and terms are not described.
Japanese Mythology at a glance
- Category
- Education & Learning › History & Humanities
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Japanese Mythology FAQ
What is the junishi?
The junishi is the twelve-animal zodiac, which originated in ancient China and was assigned to months, compass directions and hours before being introduced to Japan.
How did the rat become first in the zodiac?
In the folktale, the rat rode on the ox's back and jumped off just before the ox reached the gathering spot, arriving first.
How is the junishi connected to Sendai?
In Sendai, twelve local shrines are each associated with a specific zodiac animal, matched by direction to protect Sendai Castle, a tradition dating from the Edo era.
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