Greek Myths vs. Japanese Myths Custom Essay

Abstract

The paper compares and contrasts Greek and Japanese mythology. It focuses on principal similarities and differences between them as well as on the role and influence of myths and gods in society and culture of both countries.

Introduction

Myths played a very important role for people all over the world regardless the country or nation. They were a part of their everyday life and traditionally it was quite difficult for people to separate mythology from real life.

It seems to be quite surprising that myths created in different countries, in different parts of the world are similar to a certain extent but at the same time myth of each nation are different in a way and even within one and the same culture myths may be a bit interpreted differently.

This paper would focus on the myths of ancient Greece and Japan, on their differences and similarities as well as on their role for national culture and local population.

Similarities and differences between Greek myth and Japanese myth

Speaking about Greek and Japanese myths, it should be pointed from the very beginning that they are very often considered to be very similar to each other. However, they have some significant differences and each of them has its own national traits and character. In all probability, such differences may be explained by national specific and national culture that naturally influenced the process of creation of myths. At the same time the similarities that really exist between myths of Greece and Japan could be explained by the natural feelings of people and their attitude to the surrounding nature and its overwhelming power, such as an instinctive fear of natural disasters, unfriendly environment, etc.

So, first of all, a few words about principal similarities between myths of Greece and Japan may be said. Actually, the very beginning of life and the creation of the world is quite similar and it is typical not only for Greek and Japanese myths but for myths of other people as well. According to Japanese and Greek mythology, at first there was Chaos a dominant force in the world and the first cause of all things in the world.

Actually, it is not surprising because such attitude to the beginning of life on earth is quite natural since ancient people could only presuppose what was at the origin of life. Consequently, chaos typical for both Greek and Japanese mythology symbolizes attitude of ancient people to the origin of life and their weakness before forces of nature. It also reflects their ignorance and lack of knowledge so that it is the simplest way to explain the origin of different very complicated phenomena from chaos.

The further development is also quite similar at first glance. In both Greek and Japanese mythology numerous gods appears and create or perfect the world, interfere in life on earth, etc. However, analyzed in detail the first differences may be easily found. It is evident that both cultures were characterized by polytheism but human attitude to life of gods was quite different. Even if to have a look at the structure of Greek and Japanese pantheon it would be evident that Greek extrapolated human relations on their gods while Japanese tended to idealize their gods.

Furthermore, traditionally Greeks had two gods, like Zeus and Guerra that ruled and commanded over other, minor gods while Japanese had three practically equal deities, namely Takagi-no-Kami, Izanagi, and Izanami. Though the latter two may be compared to Greek Zeus and Guerra who also were husband and wife and were practically equal to each other.

The relations existing between gods are not less than pantheon structure of Greek and Japanese mythology. Actually, the relations reflect national characters of Greek and Japanese of Occidental and Oriental cultures. Greek gods resemble very much human beings. They have similar problems, interests and even the way of life is to a certain extent similar. Greek gods seem to be taken from real life they are unfaithful, very often they have affairs with humans, they are jealous, revengeful, suspicious, they rebel against each other, the war is normal for them, etc. So they possess a big quantity of negative features that are so typical for ordinary people as ancient Greeks were.

On the contrary, Japanese gods, particularly Izanagi and Izanami, are a bit idealized. Though the attitude between them are not perfect, since it was Izanami who was accused that her mistake caused the birth of ugly children of gods. But together they corrected the mistake and their further life may be characterized as ideal. Even after Izanami death her husband, Izanagi, “remembered how faithful his desperate spouse had been to him, he would yearn for her again, his heart was swollen with sorrow and his eyes filled with tears.” (Shibukawa 1996:211).

By the way, the attitude to death is also quite remarkable. At this respect Greek and Japanese mythology are quite different since Greek gods are immortal while Japanese are as mortal as human beings.

So these are basic similarities and differences between Greek and Japanese myths.

The role of gods and their influence on society and culture

Now, on analyzing both mythologies, it is a high time to dwell upon the role Greek and Japanese gods played and to what extent they influenced national culture and society at large.

So, first of all, it is necessary to underline one more time that myths were a part of real life for people who created them and lived in that epoch. Naturally, people believed in gods and their power. Consequently, they had to respect them and follow the traditions that existed in myths. At this respect quite noteworthy is the attitude of Greeks to their gods who could be in war against each other and consequently people also used them in their earth affairs, including war and peace. They believed that gods help them in wars and for their help they could sacrifice lives of their compatriots like it happened before the Trojan War.

On the other hand, Japanese idealized their gods and naturally attempted to follow their examples. It should be said that the way of life of Greek and Japanese gods characterize the whole society either Greek or Japanese. Japanese mythology obviously stands on the ground of collectivism and mutual support and the example of Izanami and Izanagi mentioned above supports this idea.

Furthermore, unlike Greeks who had only two supreme gods, Japanese had three. It may be interpreted as a tendency of Japanese to collectivism since two gods constitute a family while the third may be treated as one wiser god that is very helpful for solution of problems that may occur in life of the family.

At this context, Greek gods are highly individualistic, they basically care about themselves and very often they use people as means to achieve their own goals.

It also should be say that gods, playing an extremely important role for people, influenced culture and society by shaping human ideas about the supreme forces whose examples should be followed by ordinary people. However, it is not always so. For instance, in the case of Greek mythology, on reading and analyzing works of Homer “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, a cultural transformation from a blind obedience to the will of gods to a rebel (Odyssey) against them. But Japanese culture is rather traditional and it rather keeps its traditions and idealizes gods.

Conclusion

Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that mythology played a very significant role in both Greek and Japanese culture and it influenced not only their further development but European and Asian cultures at large. For instance, themes of ancient Greek myths were later developed in later European culture in many countries, in different arts. It means that initial myth, being a part of life for people who invented it, became a part of culture and art for further generations.