THE JAPANESE MYTHOSby Jerome Arkenberg
(Dragon #13)
Japanese mythology is a mixture of Buddism and Shinto. The
main concern of Shinto is with Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess, and her
relations and descendants. The beliefs of Shinto also includes the belief
that everything (mineral, animal, and vegetable) has its own kami or
spirit. When Buddism was introduced to Japan in the late 6th Century
A.D., Shinto gods and goddesses, to a certain degree, became integrated with the Buddhist pantheon, and vice versa.
THE GODS AND GODDESSES
AMERTERASU — The Sun Goddess
Armor Class: -2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 18” Fighter Ability: Lord — 15th
Hit Points: 300 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Ameterasu is the deity from which the Japanese Imperial family is
descended. She appears as a beautiful, young woman. She can Fly,
Teleport, and use Continual Light, Darkness, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, and ESP spells.
TSUKIYOMI-NO-MIKOTO — The Moon God
Armor Class: -2 Magic Aiblity: See Below
Move: 18” Fighter Ability: Lord — 15th
Hit Points: 275 Psionic Ability: Class 6
The Moon God is the brother of Ameterasu. Though he is her
brother, he does not play a large part in the myths of Japan. Thus he is
not well known by name. He can Fly, Teleport, and use Light and
Darkness spells.
SUSANO — The Storm God
Armor Class: -2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 18" Fighter Ability: Lord — 15th
Hit Points: 290 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Susano is also associated with Forests, as well as with storms. He is
heavily bearded and a middle-aged man in appearance. He is very courageous and very cunning. He has two jewels, one of which is used in
producing hail, the other in producing lightning. He can Teleport,
Shapechange, Control Weather, and produce Lightning Bolts, and Ice
Storms.
IZANAGI & IZANAMI — The Creators
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 200 Psionic Ability: Class 6
This couple gave birth to the gods and goddesses, the mountains,
the land, and all the diverse Kamis. They can clone, Transmute RockMud, Lower and Part water, Move Earth, and use Permanent Spells.
RYUJIN — The Dragon King of the Sea
Armor Class: -1 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15" Fighter Ability: Lord — 15th
Hit Points: 250 Psionic Ability: Class 6
The Dragon King of the Sea is a manlike creature that wears a
crown in the shape of a serpent. He has the aspect of an old man with
long whiskers. His palace is at the bottom of the Sea. He is known to
have rewarded mortals that have done him a service with supernatural
gifts, such as a bag of rice which replenishes whatever is taken from it.
He can Lower and Part Water, Shapechange, Teleport, Polymorph any
object, Massmorph, Create Water, and Water-Breath.
HACHIMAN — God of War
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: Lord — 15th
Hit Points: 200 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Hachiman looks like a man of 35, wearing a loose robe, mounted
on a horse.. His sword is +3 to hit doing 24-48 points of damage. He
also has a set of magical arrows which never miss. They do 7-12 points
of damage. He can Teleport, and use Strength, Shield, and Magic Missile spells.
INARI — Rice God
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15" Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 175 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Inari is a bearded man, but he also appears as a woman and a fox.
The fox, indeed, is the messenger of Inari. He is the patron of swordsmiths and traders also. He can Shapechange, Teleport, Growth/Plant,
Charm Plant, Polymorph any object, Create Food.
KWANNON — Goddess of Mercy
Armor Class: 0 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 16” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 175 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Kwannon is a matronly deity. She will never deny mercy to those
that call on her. If necessary, she herself will suffer whatever the supplicant was to suffer, though usually she will merely try to prevent it from
happening. She can Shapechange, Teleport, Polymorth others, Stun,
Anti-magic Shell, Protection/Evil, Protection/Missiles, Invisibility,
and Stone-to-Flesh.
SUKA-NA-BIKO or MOMOTARO — “Small Renown Man”
Armor Class: 3 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 10” Fighter Ability: Lord — 12th
Hit Points: 175 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Momotaro is dwarvish in size, and wears moth wings and tiny
feathers. He can cure diseases, for he is versed in medical lore. He often appears to lead people to hot springs. He can also cure Light
Wounds and Serious Wounds, and Purify Food and Water.
THE SEVEN GODS OF LUCK
HOTEI — God of Luck
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Hotei has a huge stomach, below which his garments sag. He is
very good-natured. He can use Wish, Polymorph any object, Mass
Charm, Charm Plants, Charm Person, Telekinesis, and Protecttion/Evil spells.
JUROJIN — God of Luck & Longevity
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Jurojin is always in the company of a crane, tortoise, or stag. He
has a white beard and carries a shaku (a sacred staff on which is
fastened a scroll containing the wisdom of the world). He also enjoys
sake in moderation. He can counter the effects of a Staff of Withering.
He can also use Wish, Time Stop, Charm Person, Charm Plants, Mass
charm and Protection from Evil spells.
FUKUROKUJO — God of Luck
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Fukurokujo has a very long and narrow head and a very short
body (actually his head was longer than his legs). He can use Wish,
Charm Person, Polymorph and Object, Charm Plants, and Protection
from Evil spells.
BISHAMON — God of Luck (illus. on pg. 12)
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15" Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Bishamon is alwasy dressed in full armor, carrying a spear in one
hand, and a miniature pagoda in the other. He can use Wish, Charm
Person, Strength, Magic Missile, Shield, Polymorph any Object, and
Protection from Evil spells.
DAIKOKU — God of Luck & Wealth
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Daikoku is also the guardian of farmers and is a cheerful god. He
carries a mallet which can grant wishes. He is usually sitting on ricebales, with his treasure hung over his shoulder in a sack. He can use
Charm Person, Wish, Polymorph any object, and Protection from Evil
spells.
EBISU — God of Luck
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15" Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Ebisu is a hard worker. He is the patron of tradesmen and fishermen. He usually carries a fishing rod and a sea bream. He can Wish,
Charm Person, Polymorph any object, and use Protection from Evil
s p e l l s .
BENTEN — Goddess of Luck and Goddess of the Sea
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15" Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 150 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Benten is many things. She is the patroness of Literature and
music, and a giver of wealth and romantic happiness. The Sea is her
home, and her father is the Dragon King of the Sea. Benten has eight
arms, two of which are always folded in prayer. She is usually either
riding or accompanied by a dragon. She uses a White Serpent for her
messenger. She can use Charm Person, Water Breathing, Lower and
Part Water, Teleport, Shapechange, Wish, Polymorph any object, and
Protection from Evil spells.
SHAKA-NYORAI — The Buddha Sakyamuni
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 20th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 275 Psionic Class: Class 1
Shaka-Nyorai is the Indian Sakyamuni, the Buddha, the founder
of Buddhism. He is a mature man, wearing a simple robe, and is either
sitting or standing, contemplating.
YAKUSHI-NYORAI — The Buddha Bhaisajy aguru
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 15th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 275 Psionic Ability: Class 2
Yakuski-Nyorai is the “Master with remedies”. He is also a mature man, wears a simple robe, and holds a medicine jar in his left
hand. He can cure anything.
AMIDA-NYORAI — The Buddha Amitabha
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 17th
Move: 14" Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 275 Psionic Ability: Class 1
Amida-Nyorai is the “Buddha of Infinite Light”, whose help is
spiritual, and is called upon in the hour of death. He is a nature man,
and is either seated in concentration with his thumbs bent, or standing,
making a welcoming gesture.
DAINICHI-NYORAI — The Buddha Mahavairocana
Armor Class: 0 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 23rd
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 6th
Hit Points: 300 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Dainichi-Nyorai is “the personification of the Absolute in the
form of the supreme, omnipresent buddha.” He is draped in finery and
wears a diadem.
MIROKU-BOSATSU — The Buddha of the Future
Armor Class: 4 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 10th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 275 Psionic Ability: Class 4
Miroku-Bosatsu is the Buddha of the Future, who will appear 5000
years after the entrance of Ahaka-Nyorai into Nirvana. He appears in
the “pensive” attitude, holding a stupa.
KANNON-BOSATSU — The “Great Compassionate One”
Armor Class: 4 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 10th
Move: 14’ Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 225 Psionic Ability: Class 4
Kannon-Bosatsu is the one to call on during times of affliction. He
wears the finery and jewels of a prince.
MONJU-BOSATSU — “Guide of all Buddhas”
Armor Class: 4 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 9th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 225 Psionic Ability: Class 4
Monju-Bosatsu is supreme wisdom. He is usually seated on a lion,
holding a scroll in one hand, a sword in the other.
FUGEN-BOSATSU — “He whose goodness is omnipresent”
Armor Class: 4 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 9th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 225 Psionic Ability: Class 4
Fugen-Bosatsu represents innate reason. He is seated on a white
elephant with six tusks, with his hands joined.
JIZO-BOSATSU — Protector of the Dead
Armor Class: 4 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 9th
Move: 12" Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 225 Psionic Ability: Class 4
Jizo-Bosatsu is the protector of the dead in the after-world, representing them before the judges of the dead. He appears as a monk with
shaven head, “dressed in a long robe and holding a stick with tinkling
rings on one end, which put the powers of darkness to flight.
FUDO-MYOO — The “Immovable” (illus. )
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 13th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 12th
Hit Points: 225 Psionic Ability: Class 5
Fudo-Myoo is the chief of the ‘Five Great Kings of Science’ and
puts evil demons to flight. His body is blue-black, and of a stocky
shape. His teeth protrude from his mouth, one eye is dilated, the other
contracted. He carries a sword in one hand, and a rope in the other. He
is either standing or sitting on a diamond-hard rock. surrounded by
flames. He is a support “in all enterprises requiring strength of purpose.”
AIZEN-MYOO — God of Love
Armor Class: 1 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 14th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 200 Psionic Ability: Class 2
Aizen-Myoo, though popularly worshipped as the God of Love, actually he represents sexual passion changed into desire for enlightenment. He has a red body with eight arms, three eyes, bristling hair, with
a lion in that hair, and seated on a lotus.
OTHER SHINTO GODS
FUJIN — God of the Winds. He holds a bag containing the winds
across his shoulders. His skin is green, and his face has a hideous appearance.
KOSENSEI — The Sage with a Toad. This sage lived a long life, and
could turn himself into a reptile. He is completely hairless with warts
on his skin.
OH-KUNI-NUSHI — The Son-in-law of Susano. He rules the Izumo
peninsula, and has Susano’s sword, bow, and arrows, and koto (harp).
RAIDEN — God of Thunder. He is, in appearance, a demon.
SHI-TENNO — The Four Guardians who keep the world safe from the
attacks of demons.
SHOKI — The Demon Queller
TENJIN — God of Calligraphy. He was a great scholar, a man of great
physical courage, and he appreciated plant life.
UKE-MOCHI — God of Food, This God produces all kinds of foods
(cooked and uncooked, prepared, and unprepared) by opening her
mouth and letting the food spew out of it.
UMI-BOZO — A giant, ghostly, “Sea Priest”, who rises from the
depths of the Sea to frighten travellers on the Ocean.
UZUME — Goddess of Mirth
YAMA-UBA — Female Mountain Spirits
THE CREATURE
THE KAPPA
Armor Class: 3 Magic Ability: Wizard — 14th
Move: 10” Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 100 Psionic Ability: Class 6
The Kappa resemble monkeys without fur. Sometimes they have
fish scales or tortoise shells instead of skin. They are the size of a 10
year old child, yellowish-green in color, and an indentation in the top
of their head, filled with water. If this water is spilled, the Kappa lose
all their powers. They live in rivers, pond, or lakes, and are vampiric,
feeding upon their prey through the anus (truth!!). They also frequently rape women (whenever they can). They also love cucumbers. They always keep a promise, and they are extremely polite (often bowing to
their intended victim, thereby spilling the water in their head). If a human is challenged to single combat with a Kappa, that person must accept.
TENGU
Armor Class: 3 Magic Ability: Wizard — 16th
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 100 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Tengu inhabit pine trees in mountainous areas, and they live in colonies with a King Tengu and a messenger Tengu. They have wings and
a long beak. They are red in color and often wear cloaks and small
black hats. They are good swordsmen and very mischievous. They love
to play tricks on others, but don’t like tricks played on them, and usually retaliate if the latter occurs.
ONI
Armor Class: 3 Magic Ability: Wizard — 16th
Move: 10” Fighter Ability: Lord — 10th
Hit Points: 100 Psionic Ability: Class 6
Oni are devils. They can be pink, red, blue, or gray in color. They
have horns and three eyes, three toes, and three fingers. They can fly,
but seldom do. They are cruel, malicious and lecherous and are not intelligent. They carry a mallet or iron-spiked rod and wear a tiger-skin
loincloth. They delight in the human female and often carry away
young women to rape them.
YUKI-ONNA — The Snow Woman
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: See Below
Move: 15” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 175 Psionic Ability: Class 6
The Snow Woman is a ghastly, ghostly white spirit. She appears in
snowstorms to lull men to sleep and thus death. She is young with a
very beautiful body and seemingly gentle disposition. She can use
Charm Person, Sleep, Invisibility, Shapechange, Teleport, and Ice
Storms spells.
THE HEROES
ISSUN BOSHI — “Little One Inch”
Armor Class: -2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 5” Fighter Ability: 7th
Hit Points: 50 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 12; INT: 14; WIS: 13; CON: 18; DEX: 18; CHA: 14
This hero is only a few inches tall. His sword is a needle stuck in a
scabbard of straw. In spite of his size, he is able to slay monsters and
onis and such by poking their eyes out, and so forth.
KINTARO — The Golden Boy
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1899; INT: 12; WIS: 17; CON: 15; DEX: 16; CHA: 17
Kintaro has marvelous golden skin. He is known for his tremendous strength, loyalty. Eventually he became a warrior for Yorimitsu.
RAIKO or YORIMITSU
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability; Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1850; INT: 17; WIS: 13; CON: 16; DEX: 17; CHA: 15
Raiko was a leader of the Minamoto clan and was served by four
lieutenants. He often fought Oni and rescued women.
TAWARA TODA or HIDESATO
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1865; INT: 14; WIS: 12; CON: 15; DEX: 17; CHA: 15
Tawara Toda was a man of bravery and honor. He once killed a gigantic magical centipede with an arrow for Ryujin. From him he received three gifts: a bag of rice which was self-replenishing; a roll of
self-replenishing silk cloth; and a cooking pot which heats without the
use of fire.
BENKEI
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 14” Fighter Ability: 12th
Hit Points: 100 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1860; INT: 13; WIS: 10; CON: 17; DEX: 17; CHA: 16
Benkei is 10 feet tall, with the strength of a hundred men, and able
to run as fast as the wind. Benkei is very vain and likes to challenge
other swordsmen to show off his skill in swordsmanship. He later became inseparable from Yoshitsune.
YOSHITSUNE
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 11th
Hit Points: 90 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1875; INT: 15; WIS: 12; CON: 17; DEX: 18; CHA: 16
Yoshitsune is another hero of the Minamoto Clan. Yoshitsune was
also the only swordsman to defeat Benkei.
LIGHT-OF-FIRE & SHADE-OF-FIRE
Armor Class: 1 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 17; INT: 14; WIS: 14; CON: 15; DEX: 17; CHA: 17
These two mythical princes were brothers. Light-of-Fire was an excellent fisherman, Shade-of-Fire an excellent hunter. Shade-of-Fire
later married the Sea King’s daughter and she gave him the Tide Flowing and Tide Ebbing Jewels.
YAMAMOTO DATE
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 11th
Hit Points: 90 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1850; INT: 17; WIS: 16; CON: 15; DEX: 17; CHA: 17
Yamamoto Date was the son of the Emperor Keiko and the father
of the Emperor Chuai, though he himself never became Emperor.
However, he was a mighty fighter and patriot.
SHOTOKU DAISHI
Armor Class: 9 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 10th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 50 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 8; INT: 18; WIS: 18; CON: 14; DEX: 10; CHA: 13
Shotoku Daishi introduced Buddhism to Japan. He was a law
giver, a social reformer, and a devout Buddhist, considered a saint by
Japanese Buddhists.
YOSHI-IYE
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1880; INT: 12; WIS: 12; CON: 16; DEX: 17; CHA: 15
Yoski-Iye was an early Minamoto hero. He was a powerful Bowman (once having pierced a rock with a bowshot and causing water to
gush forth). These arrows are +2 to hit.
KIYOMORI
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 18; INT: 14; WIS: 10; CON: 15; DEX: 17; CHA: 17
Kiyomori was the head of the Taira clan, the arch-rivals of the
Minamoto Clan. He was a great fighter and a very lustful man.
TAMETOMO
Armor Class: 2 Magic Ability: Nil
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 10th
Hit Points: 80 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 1845; INT: 15; WIS: 15; CON: 16; DEX: 18; CHA: 15
Tametomo was the uncle of Yoshitsune. He was a great Archer
(once having sunk a ship with a single bowshot!). His arrow are +4 to
hit.
EN NO SHOKAKU
Armor Class: 9 Magic Ability: Wizard — 12th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 4th
Hit Points: 60 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 7; INT: 18; WIS: 12; CON: 14; DEX: 17; CHA: 12
En No Shokaku was condemned to death as a magician. But by
“mystic signs” he caused the Executioner’s sword to shatter, and then
he flew away, never to return.
KOBO DAISHI
Armor Class: 9 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 14th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 70 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 10; INT: 17; WIS: 18; CON: 15; DEX: 16; CHA: 16
Kobo Daiski is known as a sculptor, traveller, preacher, and miracle worker. Disguised as a beggar, he often rewarded the generous and
punished the greedy.
NICHIREN
Armor Class: 9 Magic Ability: Patriarch — 14th
Move: 12” Fighter Ability: 5th
Hit Points: 70 Psionic Ability: Nil
STR: 7; INT: 15; WIS: 18; CON: 15; DEX: 16; CHA: 12
Like En No Shokaku, when Nichiren was condemned to death, he
could not be decapitated. He was a very holy man.
THE TREASURES
THE TIDE FLOWING & TIDE EBBING JEWELS
These Jewels are about the size of Bowling Balls. They are used to
control the ebbing and flowing of the tide. Both are priceless.
JEWELS OF HAIL & LIGHTNING
These jewels are used by Susano, the Storm God, to produce hail
and lightning, respectively. They are both priceless.
IMPERIAL JEWELS
These jewels were given to the Imperial family by Amaterasu, the
Sun Goddess.
IMPERIAL MIRROR
This mirror was given by Ameterasu, the Sun Goddess, to the Imperial family. Mirrors are important to the Japanese. “When the mirror is dim, the soul in unclean.”
IMPERIAL SWORD
This sword was found in the tail of a Dragon by Susano, the Storm
God. It fell into the Sea during the Battle of Dannoura, and has never
been found. It is a Dancing Sword.
THE SAKAKI TREE
The Sakaki tree is sacred to Shinto. Its branches must be used
when calling upon the heroes of Japan.
