Mythology Of Asia And The Far East

In this fabulous reference book, the powerful and enthralling tales of East Asia are revealed in all their magnificence. This exciting publication is essential reading for all those interested in the myths and legends of Asian cultures, their retelling down the generations, and the way they influence and colour our thinking and beliefs in the modern day.

The first anthology in English of South-East Asian myths, this book is an engaging look at these rich storytelling traditions. It includes new translations of some shorter tales and concise paraphrases of longer epics. There are separate sections devoted to poetry, drama, proverbs, and prose from various regions and cultures. A wide range of readers will find themselves absorbed in the romance, tragedy, drama, and adventure of South-East Asian kings, princes, princesses, heroes and heroines, and ordinary people.

In our age of globalization and multiculturalism, it has never been more important for Americans to understand and appreciate foreign cultures and how people live, love, and learn in areas of the world unfamiliar to most U.S. students and the general public. The four volumes in our cultural sociology reference encyclopedia take a step forward in this endeavor by presenting concise information on those regions likely to be most "foreign" to U.S. students: the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The intent is to convey what daily life is like for people in these selected regions. It is hoped entries within these volumes will aid readers in efforts to understand the importance of cultural sociology, to appreciate the effects of cultural forces around the world, and to learn the history of countries and cultures within these important regions.

This magnificent book reveals the powerful and evocative mythologies of the East in all their glory. Mythological themes include Yin and Yang, the avatars of Vishnu, demons and black magic, and the incarnations of the mother goddess. The book covers Asia, ancient Egypt, Persia, Asia Minor, Sumer, Babylon, India, China and Japan, and explores legends of the gods who have shaped Eastern religion and Western philosophy. Illustrated with over 500 evocative photographs, this fascinating guide brings to life to the mythology of the gods and goddesses, heroes, sacred animals and places of the East in a highly readable and accessible style.

This is a selected, annotated list of some 2,000 books on Asia in English and French currently in print, chosen with the aim of providing a long-term historical perspective for the general reader. The list is presented in four main parts: Asia as a whole; the Islamic world; India, South and Southeast Asia; the Far East. Subdivisions cover such topics as: general and reference works; history, social science, and law; history of literature; literature in translation; religion and ideas; arts, crafts, architecture, and science; and the lands in modern times.

An authoritative A-Z guide to mythologies and legends of the East, with 500 sumptuous images.

With their universal themes of love, loss, and justice, myths, which define the values and customs of a particular society, continue to have meaning for us hundreds and even thousands of years after they were first told. The lavishly illustratd volumes in this series of mythological tales and beliefs from around the world explore the cultures of ancient Greece; Scandinavia; Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales; the Far East; Native America; Africa, and Central and South America. An enlightening look at the foundations of Asian culture.