Tale of Ronin

A stylized, ink painting like, piece of concept artwork. It depicts a man dressed in Japanese edo-period style clothing, with a long stick, standing with the sky behind him.

Shugendo: Japan’s Ancient Tradition of Mountain Asceticism

Shugendo is a religion that originates between the late Heian (794–1185) and Kamakura (1185–1333) periods. This ancient ascetic tradition flourished at a time when Buddhism was being imported from China. Combined with the appreciation for art in the Japanese imperial court, the arrival of organized religion and literacy allowed Shugendo to make its mark. The …

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Religion in Edo Period Japan

The Edo Period in Japan was a time of great religious and social change. The Tokugawa Bakufu, the military government established by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1603, brought an end to the strife of the Warring States period and ushered in a new era of peace and stability. This period saw the continued practice of Shintoism, …

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An ink-blot stylized image of an Oni, or Japanese demon, standing with horns and angular physical features.

Oni: The Fierce Japanese Demon

An oni is a type of yokai, supernatural creatures, monsters, and spirits, found in Japanese mythology. While many other entities that fall under the yokai umbrella can be benevolent, oni are almost always malicious and violent. Typical folkloric depictions show oni as having horns, red or blue skin, sharp claws, and wearing tiger skins. They …

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An anime character stands on a tall rock which has many katana sticking out of it.

Katanagatari: NisiOisiN’s Chaotic Alternate Early Edo Period

Nisio Isin, stylized NisiOisiN, is an incredibly prolific Japanese writer whose works are designed to play with audience expectations and feelings. He’s written across a wide variety of genres and mediums, including samurai drama. As one might expect, his take on the genre ended up equal parts bizarre and compelling. The 12-volume-long series Katanagatari, released …

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An image showing two silhouettes of daimyo, Japanese lords, flanking a field of fighting men.

Daimyo: The Feudal Lords of Japan

The Edo period in Japan was characterized by a strict feudal system in which daimyo, or regional lords, were given control over vast areas of land. Daimyo were expected to oversee their territory and keep the peace, but they had to abide by edicts issued by the shogunate. They were given the authority to create …

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Concept artwork of a Tengu for the Tale of Ronin game. It is a humanoid creature with bird-like features, and a long nose.

Tengu: Between Trickster Spirit and Minor God

Tengu are one of the most iconic yokai found across Japan. These entities come in two varieties: the older kotengu or karasu-tengu and the newer daitengu. Kotengu have a long history of terrorizing and devouring humans, while daitengu tend to remain aloof and disinterested in human affairs. However, both types are incredibly powerful and dangerous. …

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