Japanese legends of the supernatural world
This gallery introduces some Japanese folklore whose theme is the different world, such as Minamoto no Yorimitsu, Sakata no Kintoki (Kintaro) and Tengu.
There are many legends passed down in Japan, and many heroes played an active role in them. Many of these heroes have created memorable legends in Japan, or on the boundary between the royal lands of the capital and the other world, or even beyond that boundary. But what about today? Globalization and informatization have wiped out unexplored places on earth, leaving no room for legends to be born there. Rather, various fantasy worlds set in outer space tend to be drawn in modern times.
This exhibition features Japanese legends born in other worlds and boundaries that have become familiar to people, and introduces paintings depicting these legends, mainly from the collection of the Art Research Center at Ritsumeikan University.
This webpage is excerpted and re-edited from the online exhibition "Legends of Japan: Other Worlds" at Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center.
Online Exhibition "Legends of Japan: Other Worlds" (Jump to Ritsumeikan University Art Research Center website)