Kumiho

A kumiho (구미호 / 구 "gu" - nine) Korean pronunciation: [kumiho] (literally "nine tailed fox") is a creature that appears in the oral tales and legends ofKorea, and are akin to werefoxes or European fairies. According to those tales, a fox that lives a thousand years turns into a kumiho, like itsJapanese and Chinese counterparts. It can freely transform, among other things, into a beautiful girl often set out to seduce men, and eat their liveror heart (depending on the legend). There are numerous tales in which the kumiho appears, several of which can be found in the encyclopedicCompendium of Korean Oral Literature (한국 구비문학 대계).

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumiho

Dragon

A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that features in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern mythologies, and the Chinese dragon, with counterparts in Japan, Korea and other East Asian countries.

The two traditions may have evolved separately, but have influenced each other to a certain extent, particularly with the cross-cultural contact of recent centuries. The English word "dragon" derives from Greek δράκων (drákōn), "dragon, serpent of huge size, water-snake".

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon

Ballad of Mulan

The sound of one sigh after another, As Mulan weaves at the doorway.

No sound of the loom and shuttle, Only that of the girl lamenting.

Ask her of whom she thinks, Ask her for whom she longs.

"There is no one I think of, There is no one I long for.

Last night I saw the army notice, The khan is calling a great draft.

A dozen volumes of battle rolls, Each one with my father's name.

My father has no grown-up son, And I have no elder brother.

I'm willing to buy a horse and saddle, To go to battle in my father's place."

She buys a fine steed at the east market; A saddle and blanket at the west market

A bridle at the south market; And a long whip at the north market.

She takes leave of her parents at dawn, To camp beside the Yellow River at dusk.

No sound of her parents hailing their girl, Just the rumbling waters of the Yellow River.

She leaves the Yellow River at dawn, To reach the Black Mountains by dusk.

No sound of her parents hailing their girl, Just the cries of barbarian cavalry in the Yan hills.

Ten thousand miles she rode in war, Crossing passes and mountains as if on a wing.

On the northern air comes the sentry's gong, Cold light shines on her coat of steel.

The general dead after a hundred battles, The warriors return after ten years.

They return to see the Son of Heaven, Who sits in the Hall of Brilliance.

The rolls of merit spin a dozen times, Rewards in the hundreds and thousands.

The khan asks her what she desires, "I've no need for the post of a gentleman official,

I ask to borrow a camel fleet of foot, To carry me back to my hometown."

Her parents hearing their girl returns, Out to the suburbs to welcome her back.

Elder sister hearing her sister returns, Adjusts her rouge by the doorway.

Little brother hearing his sister returns, Sharpens his knife for pigs and lamb.

"I open my east chamber door, And sit on my west chamber bed.

I take off my battle cloak, And put on my old-time clothes.

I adjust my wispy hair at the window sill, And apply my bisque makeup by the mirror.

I step out to see my comrades-in-arms, They are all surprised and astounded:

'We travelled twelve years together, Yet didn't realize Mulan was a lady!'"

The male rabbit is swifter of foot, The eyes of the female are somewhat smaller.

But when the two rabbits run side by side, How can you tell the female from the male?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hua_Mulan

Izanagi and Izanami

In Japanese mythology the two deities Izanagi (The Male Who Invites) and Izanami (The Female Who Invites) are the creators of Japan and its gods. In one important myth, they descend to Yomitsu Kuni, the underworld and land of darkness. Stories about Izanagi and Izanami are told in two works from the A . D . 700S, theKojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihongi (Chronicles of Japan).

According to legend, after their birth Izanagi and Izanami stood on the floating bridge of heaven and stirred the primeval ocean with a jeweled spear. When they lifted the spear, the drops that fell back into the water formed the first solid land, an island called Onogoro. Izanagi and Izanami descended to the island and became husband and wife. Their first child was deformed, and the other gods said it was because Izanami spoke before her husband at their marriage ceremony.

The couple performed another wedding ceremony, this time correctly. Izanami soon gave birth to eight lovely children, who became the islands of Japan. Izanagi and Izanami then created many gods and goddesses to represent the mountains, valleys, waterfalls, streams, winds, and other natural features of Japan. However, during the birth of Kagutsuchi, the fire god, Izanami was badly burned. As she lay dying, she continued to create gods and goddesses, and still other deities emerged from the tears of the grief-stricken Izanagi.

When Izanami died, she went to Yomi-tsu Kuni. Izanagi decided to go there and bring his beloved back from the land of darkness and death. Izanami greeted Izanagi from the shadows as he approached the entrance to Yomi. She warned him not to look at her and said that she would try to arrange for her release from the gods of Yomi. Full of desire for his wife, Izanagi lit a torch and looked into Yomi. Horrified to see that Izanami was a rotting corpse, Izanagi fled.

Angry that Izanagi had not respected her wishes, Izanami sent hideous female spirits, eight thunder gods, and an army of fierce warriors to chase him. Izanagi managed to escape and blocked the pass between Yomi and the land of the living with a huge boulder. Izanami met him there, and they broke off their marriage.

Izanagi felt unclean because of his contact with the dead, and he took a bath to purify himself. A number of gods and goddesses, both good and evil, emerged from his discarded clothing as Izanagi bathed. The sun goddess Amaterasu appeared from his left eye, the moon god Tsuki-yomi appeared from his right eye, and Susano-ô came from his nose. Proud of these three noble children, Izanagi divided his kingdom among them.

Source: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Iz-Le/Izanagi-and-Izanami.html#ixzz2bMdfLhRw