Wiki Category: Culture

Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama Period Occupation: – Family: Birth: 1553 Death: 1578 Amago Katsuhisa Amago Katsuhisa (尼子 勝久) was a member of the Amago Family living from 1553-1578. Katsuhisa made attempts during his life to revive the families power with the aide of Yamanaka Shikanosuke as a vassal of[...]

First Ruler:- Final Ruler: Amago Katsuhisa Dissolution: – Parent House: Kyōgoku Family For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans. Amago Family The Amago Family (尼子氏) was a daimyo clan of the Sengoku Period, descended from the Kyōgoku Family.1 They resided in the Chūgoku Region.2 In 1392 Amago Mochihisa[...]

Kazenbō Kazenbō (火前坊 – Bonze Before the Fire) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to rise form the bones of those interred on Mount Toribe when smoke rises over the mountain. This site was also the area where Buddhist monks practised[...]

Oboro-guruma Oboro-guruma (朧車 – Gloom Cart) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. It is depicted as a travelling cart with a giant face. In essence it is not truly a creature, but a manefestation of the grudges of those who would try to find the best[...]

Ōkubi Ōkubi (大首 – Giant Head) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien.  It is a giant head, with Sekien noting that anything in excess is scary, including the head of a woman with a caked black mouth. This creature may also[...]

Gensuke Gensuke was a victim to the practise of Hitobashira in 1608. This event occured at the Matsue Ohashi Bridge. Attempts were being made to construct a bridge over the Ohashi river here, however, the pillars kept being washed away. A sacrifice was chosen (this being the next soul to[...]

Human Sacrifice Human Sacrifice was a practise that was said to have been carried out in ancient Japan. Though it is dubious whether this actually occoured or not. Hitobashira Hitobashira (人柱 – Human Pillar) was the practise of emtombing a person at the base of a structure/pillar with the belief[...]

Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Prince Family: Emperor Sujin (father) Mimakihime (mother) Emperor Suinin (brother) Kunikatahime (sister) Chijitsukuyamatohime (sister) Igahime (sister) Izanomawaka (brother) Birth: – Death: – Yamatohiko Yamatohiko (倭彦命) was the son of Emperor Sujin and Mimakihime.123 Emperor Sujin’s Reign During his reign the kojiki states that the practise of human[...]

Period: Legendary Period Occupation: Sumo Wrestler, Master Potter Family: Haji Clan (descendants) Haji no Mino (great-grandson) Amenohohi (ancestor) Others see below. Birth: Death: Nomi no Sukune Nomi no Sukune (野見 宿禰) was said to have been a descendant of the kami Amenohohi in the 14th generation and great-grandfather to Haji[...]

Ryokō yōjinshū The Ryokō yōjinshū (旅行用心集) was a travel guide published in 1810, written by Yasumi Roan. Chapter themes are included below with choice examples from each one: Introduction from the author. Sixty One tips on travel. You should not reach out your hands for fruit grown in gardens at[...]

First Ruler: – Final Ruler: Takeda Katusyori Dissolution: Suicide of Katsuyori in 1582. Cadet Branches: Aki, Kai, Wakasa For a full list of Japanese Clans see: Clans. Takeda Clan The Takeda Clan (武田氏) was a prominent clan and military house during the Kamakura, Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama Periods, taking their name[...]

Period: Muromachi Period / Azuchi-Momoyama Occupation: daimyo Family: Takeda Shingen (father) Birth: 1546AD Death: 1582AD Takeda Katsuyori Takeda Katsuyori (武田 勝頼), also known as Takeda Shirō, was a daimyo and member of the Kai branch of the Takeda Clan.12 As daimyo he ruled over the Kai, Shinano, Suruga and Kōzuke Provinces,[...]

  Period: Heian Period Occupation: Warrior / Poet / Monk Family: – Birth: 1104AD Death: 1180AD Minamoto no Yorimasa Minamoto no Yorimasa (源 頼政 was a poet and warrior living from 1104-80.12 As a buddhist monk he went by the name of Gensan-in Nyūdo2, but also was known as Genzanmi[...]

Ohaguro Ohaguro (お歯黒) was the Japanese custom of blackening your teeth. It was also known as Kane (鉄漿). Up until the 19th century it was thought to enhance sexual appeal as well as help to maintain healthy teeth. The mixture was achieved soaking iron nails in tea, sake, or various[...]

Okiku Okiku (お菊)is a well known ghost in Japan. Known from the 1741 folktale by the name of Banchō Sarayashiki, she falls into the category of an Onryō (vengeful ghost) Harima Province Version Okiku was from Harima Province, working as a maid servant for the Samurai Aoyama Tessan. Tessan wanted[...]

Tagajō Tagajō (多賀城) was an 8th century headquarters established to help in the wars against the Ezo People,1 constructed in 724 by Ōno no Azumahito.2 It consisted of several buildings in a walled area.1 Orignially known as Taga no ki it later became Tagajō, and is located in Shiogama City,[...]

Shippeitaro Shippeitaro (しっぺい太郎, 竹篦太郎, 悉平太郎, 執柄太郎) is the name of a dog from a Folktale of the same name. In one version of the story, a warrior takes shelter for the night in an abandoned temple. Close to midnight he awakens to see many strange dancing cats, and over here’s[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Caligrapher Family: Fujiwara no Yoshitaka (father) Fujiwara no Yukitsune (son) Birth: 972AD Death: 1027AD Fujiwara no Yukinari Fujiwara no Yukinari (藤原 行成) (972-10271 10282AD) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan. The son of Fujiwara no Yoshitaka, during his[...]

Reign: 29BC-70AD Born: Period: Legendary Period Family: Emperor Sujin (father) Mimakihime (mother) many wives and children, see below. Burial place: misasagi in Fushimi, Sugahara Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Sujin * Successor Emperor Keikō Emperor Suinin Emperor Suinin (垂仁天皇) was the eleventh Emperor of Japan also known as Ikumeiribikoisachi (活目入彦五十狭茅天皇)123. He ruled from[...]