JAPANESE HISTORY
LO2 2.1 - 2.2
I have decided to conduct research into Japanese history and folklore to help with the design of my warrior and fox characters.
One aspect of Japanese folklore that has particularly interested me is the kitsune fox.
Kitsune have been a part of Japanese religious culture for a long time. They are known for their long lifespans, mystical nature, and ability to shape-shift, even into humans. A nine-tailed kitsune is a popular example of how many tails they are said to grow as they age.
Unlike regular foxes, kitsunes live in the spirit world and are fundamentally different from them. Zenko, which means "good foxes," and yako, which means "field foxes," are two different species of kitsune. The zenko are kind, helpful spirits, while the yako are mischievous and like to cause trouble.
Linguists argue that the term "samurai" is a masculine word, and thus there is no "female samurai." Nonetheless, for thousands of years, a few Japanese women have learned martial arts and fought alongside male samurai.
In pre-modern Japan, there lived the "Onna-bugeisha” which translates to “woman warrior.” These women
were a group of dangerous warriors who fought alongside samurai men, and were trained in martial arts and strategy.
Female warrior armour
Japanese straw hats have a long history.
Kasa is the Japanese word for any traditional woven hat, and the hat that was worn by warriors in particular is named "Jingasa" which were primarily used for protection when travelling against the sun.
These hats were usually worn during pre-modern Japan, but even today, it is not uncommon to see farmers or monks wearing woven hats. Jingasa battle hats, on the other hand, would have been made of hard wood, iron, and copper. This type of hat is regarded as an important ceremonial and symbolic piece of clothing. It is typically referred to as a war hat. Japanese straw hat fashion
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Japanese masks are a face covering made of cloth, paper, or fabric that is worn to conceal the wearer's identity. Japanese masks are an important part of Japanese culture.
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The most well-known Japanese mask is known as an Oni mask, after the Japanese folklore's demon-like creatures. These masks typically depict a horned creature with two long fangs protruding from its mouth.
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The oni mask has many numerous interpretations. It is said to have originated from Japanese mythological demons which are typically fierce and powerful creatures, capable of causing destruction. These masks are intended to frighten away the evil spirits and keep people safe. Another widely held belief is that the Oni mask represents the dark and dangerous sides of human nature. ​Japanese masks
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HISTORY RESEARCH CONCLUSIONS
To conclude, I have found out about some interesting aspects of Japanese folklore and history.
The most useful things that I have discovered in this section is the information about kitsune foxes. For example, how they shape shift and can have multiple tails, these are aspects that will be helpful with creating my animation.
I have also enjoyed researching the female warriors and what they might have worn. This will allow me to be more informed on what clothes my character will wear, as seen in a couple of the pictures above.