{"title":"Series: Myths","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our 'Myths' series collection, where the enchanting worlds of folklore and legend come alive through thoughtfully curated books. Ideal for both enthusiasts and newcomers to the realm of ancient narratives, this series dives deep into the stories that have shaped civilizations and continue to influence cultures around the globe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore \u003cem\u003eThe Japanese Myths\u003c\/em\u003e, a fascinating journey through the rich tapestry of Japan's legendary past. This book reveals the intriguing tales of gods, goddesses, and heroes, providing a window into the country's profound spiritual and cultural landscape. Perfect for readers interested in understanding the cultural beliefs and historical contexts that have shaped societies, this collection is an educational and absorbing gateway into the mystical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're a history aficionado, a mythology enthusiast, or someone with a curious mind, the 'Myths' series promises to captivate and broaden your horizon. Delve into the stories that have been passed down through generations and discover the timeless allure of myths that have inspired countless artistic and literary works throughout history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-japanese-myths-by-joshua-frydman-9780500252314","title":"The Japanese Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe perfect introduction to the world of Japanese myth and legend.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a smart and succinct guide to the rich tradition of Japanese mythology, from the earliest recorded legends of Izanagi and Izanami, their divine offspring and the creation of Japan, to medieval tales of vengeful ghosts, through to the modern-day reincarnation of ancient deities as the heroes of mecha anime. While many around the world love Japan's cultural exports, few are familiar with Japan's unique mythology—enriched by Shinto, Buddhism and regional folklore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMythology remains a living, evolving part of Japanese society, and the ways in which the people of Japan understand their myths are very different today even from a century ago, let alone over a millennium into the past. Offering much more than any competing overview of Japanese mythology, \u003ci\u003eThe Japanese Myths\u003c\/i\u003e not only retells the ancient stories but also considers their place within the patterns of Japanese religions, culture and history, helping readers to understand the deep links between past and present in Japan, and the ways these myths live and grow.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJoshua Frydman takes the very earliest written myths in the Kojiki and the Nihonshoki as his starting point, and from there traces Japan's mythology through to post-war State Shinto, the rise of the manga industry in the 1960s, J-horror and modern-day myths. Reinventions and retellings of myth are present across all genres of contemporary Japanese culture, from its auteur cinema to renowned video games such as Okami. This book is for anyone interested in Japan, as knowing its myths allows readers to understand and appreciate its culture in a new light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46414331674860,"sku":"9780500252314","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2344003482366.jpg?v=1746334264"},{"product_id":"the-celtic-myths-by-miranda-aldhouse-green-9780500252093","title":"The Celtic Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Celtic Myths\u003c\/i\u003e is accessible for readers new to Celtic mythology, but satisfyingly detailed in its analysis of contexts, cultures, and archaeology for those well versed in the stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWritten down in medieval Wales and Ireland, the legends derive from oral poetry composed many centuries earlier. The Celts who shared these myths left behind treasures and monuments that predate the written texts but are closely connected with them. Miranda Aldhouse-Green skilfully weaves together evidence from manuscripts, artefacts, and inscriptions to explore the world of the Celts and their mythology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou will meet the supernatural cast of Celtic lore: the Irish warrior, Cú Chulainn, whose prodigious strength as a child foreshadowed his heroic life; the Welsh lovers Culhwch and Olwen, whose long and happy marriage was won only by Culhwch's Herculean feats; the tragic Lleu, who was betrayed by his wife and lover; and King Arthur and his knights' quest for the Holy Grail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFirst discussing how myths are transmitted, the book recounts the Irish and Welsh myths and their key actors and motifs, before considering themes such as heroes, animals, women, environment, and the Otherworld. In the Finale, Miranda Aldhouse-Green asks how the myths survived the Christianisation of Europe and looks at the influence of monastic chroniclers on the tales, which they preserved and adapted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46843048427756,"sku":"9780500252093","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2341793482366.jpg?v=1758786831"},{"product_id":"the-greek-and-roman-myths-by-philip-matyszak-9780500251737","title":"The Greek and Roman Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho was Pandora and what was in her famous box? Why is a brand of sportswear named after the goddess Nike? How did Achilles get his Achilles heel? What exactly is a Titan? And why is one computer virus known as a Trojan horse?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe myths of ancient Greece and Rome can seem bewilderingly complex, yet they are so much a part of modern life and discourse that most of us know fragments of them. This handy companion takes these fragments and weaves them into a comprehensible and enjoyable narrative, guiding you through the foundational stories of classical myth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Greek and Roman Myths\u003c\/em\u003e, by Philip Matyszak, explains the sequences of events and introduces the major plots and characters, from the origins of the world and the labours of Hercules to the Trojan War and the voyages of Odysseus and Aeneas. He brings to life an exotic cast of heroes and monsters, wronged women, and frighteningly arbitrary yet powerful gods. He also shows how the stories have survived and greatly influenced later art and culture, from Renaissance painting and sculpture to modern opera, literature, film, and everyday products.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePacked with intriguing facts and diverting stories, this carefully researched yet accessible guide is the ideal introduction to the myths and tales that lie at the heart of western culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith 95 illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848018055404,"sku":"9780500251737","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/f10c0e7bdaad99ef7bbff0c6b5e3a6ea.jpg?v=1758963934"},{"product_id":"the-maya-myths-by-mallory-matsumoto-9780500026540","title":"The Maya Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe perfect introduction to the gods, heroes and ancestors of the great Maya civilisation.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHighly complex and divided into politically fragmented noble houses, the Maya civilisation produced a diverse and complicated mythology that varies between groups and retellings. For example, there are three different myths about the origins of the sun and moon. In one creation myth, animals and objects rise up to torment humanity, whilst in another, pots shatter and speak, unleashing demons upon the people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eElsewhere, heroes descend to the ballcourt of the underworld where trees grow fruit in the likeness of severed heads, the ancestors converse with animals, and the Maize God is caught in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. To the Maya, these were more than fireside tales. These myths formed the foundation of their culture, weaving together their ancestral and primordial pasts into a cohesive and meaningful narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Maya Myths\u003c\/i\u003e, Mallory Matsumoto skilfully evokes the enduring vibrancy of Maya culture, from the peak of the Maya hieroglyphic tradition in the eighth century AD, through the invasions of the Spanish conquistadors up to the present day. The book draws from texts, images, and Maya oral histories, reflecting a history of contact and change, rather than a sealed-off past.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Maya region has always been fragmented, leading to a unique cultural and linguistic diversity, resulting in a varied and intriguing mixture of stories. Here are well-known texts like the Books of Chilam Balam and the Popol Vuh, Spanish texts, as well as lesser-known sources. This highlights the richness and varied nature of Maya myths, offering readers a deeper understanding of the communities that produced these captivating stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46848035160300,"sku":"9780500026540","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/86263482366.jpg?v=1758957590"},{"product_id":"the-chinese-myths-by-tao-tao-liu-9780500252383","title":"The Chinese Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe essential guide to the complex, fascinating world of Chinese myths: retelling the stories and exploring their significance in Chinese culture.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a concise and entertaining guide to the complex tradition of Chinese mythology. While many around the world are familiar with some aspects of Chinese myth – through Chinese New Year festivities or the classic adventures of the Monkey King in \u003ci\u003eJourney to the West\u003c\/i\u003e – few outside of China understand the richness of Chinese mythology, influenced by Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOffering much more than any competing overview of Chinese mythology, \u003ci\u003eThe Chinese Myths\u003c\/i\u003e not only retells the ancient stories but also considers their place within the patterns of Chinese religions, culture and history. Tao Tao Liu introduces us to an intriguing cast of gods, goddesses, dragons and monks, including: the ancient hero, Yi the Archer, who shot suns out of the sky to save humanity from a drought; Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, to whom there are temples dedicated all over East Asia; and Madame White Snake, a water snake spirit in the guise of a mysterious widow, her story adapted into countless films and operas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for anyone interested in China, as knowing its myths allows readers to understand and appreciate its culture in a new light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850010710252,"sku":"9780500252383","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2344693482366.jpg?v=1759074774"},{"product_id":"the-norse-myths-by-carolyne-larrington-9780500251966","title":"The Norse Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho were the Norse gods - the mighty Æsyr, led by Óðinn, and the mysterious Vanir? In \u003ci\u003eThe Norse Myths\u003c\/i\u003e, we meet this passionate and squabbling pantheon, and learn of the mythological cosmos they inhabit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePassages translated from the Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Loki's army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, in which enmity and trickery are punctuated by marriages and seductions; the (mis)adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages, and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals, as Óðinn, the All-father, betrays his human protégés in order to recruit (dead) heroes for his army.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCarolyne Larrington describes the myths' origins in pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland, and their survival in artefacts and written sources, from Old Norse sagas and poems to the less approving accounts of medieval Christian writers. She traces their influences into the work of Wagner, William Morris, and J.R.R. Tolkien, and even the recent \u003ci\u003eGame of Thrones\u003c\/i\u003e in the resurrection of the Fimbulvetr, or 'Mighty Winter'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853882577132,"sku":"9780500251966","price":62.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2340523482366.jpg?v=1759223232"},{"product_id":"the-aztec-myths-by-camilla-townsend-9780500025536","title":"The Aztec Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe essential guide to the world of Aztec mythology, based on Nahuatl-language sources that challenge the colonial history passed down to us by the Spanish.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow did the jaguar get his spots? What happened to the four suns that came before our own? Where was Aztlan, mythical homeland of the Aztecs?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor decades, the popular image of the Mexica people—better known today as the Aztecs—has been defined by the Spaniards who conquered them. Their salacious stories of pet snakes, human sacrifice, and towering skull racks have masked a complex world of religious belief.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo reveal the rich mythic tapestry of the Aztecs, Camilla Townsend returns to the original tales, told at the fireside by generations of Indigenous Nahuatl-speakers. Through their voices, we learn the contested histories of the Mexica and their neighbours in the Valley of Mexico—the foundations of great cities, the making and breaking of political alliances, the meddling of sometimes bloodthirsty gods—and understand more clearly how they saw their world and their place in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe divine principle of Ipalnemoani connected humans with all of nature, and spiritual beliefs were woven through the fabric of Aztec life, from the sacred ministrations of the ticitl, midwives whose rituals saw women through childbirth, to the inevitable passage to Mictlan, 'our place of disappearing together'—the land of the dead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Aztec Myths\u003c\/em\u003e provides a captivating insight into the rich cultural heritage and mythology of the Aztec civilisation. Discover their stories and understand the deeper meanings behind the legends that have shaped our understanding of these extraordinary people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46854904840428,"sku":"9780500025536","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780500025536.jpg?v=1759258797"},{"product_id":"the-korean-myths-by-bella-dalton-fenkl-9780500027660","title":"The Korean Myths","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe perfect introduction to the world of Korean myth and legend.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKorean myths are a living and evolving part of society, in both the North and South. With the export of Korean film across the globe, K-pop, fashion, K-dramas, literature and comics, there is a growing desire to understand the folklore and mythical underpinnings of contemporary Korean culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInsu and Bella Fenkl bring together a wealth of knowledge of both the new and the old, the traditional and the modern, to guide the reader through this fascinating history and help understand the people, their traditions, and culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Changsega ('Song of Creation') sung by shamans, to the gods, goddesses and monsters who inhabit the cosmos—including the god Mireuk, creator of the world, and the giant Grandma Mago, who was able to create mountains from the mud on her skirt—these myths have been disseminated for centuries and continue to resonate in popular culture today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46855012679916,"sku":"9780500027660","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780500027660.jpg?v=1759260865"},{"product_id":"the-egyptian-myths-by-garry-j-shaw-9780500251980","title":"The Egyptian Myths","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhich gods created the world according to the ancient Egyptians? How did they explain the sun's movements and its disappearance at night? In what ways did mythology permeate their lives? And what did they believe happened in the afterlife? This handy guide to Egyptian mythology explores how the ancient Nile-dwellers explained the world around them. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe text delves into the origins of life, the creation and evolution of the world, and the reigns of the gods on earth, before introducing us to the manifestations of Egypt's deities in the natural environment; the inventive ways in which the Egyptians dealt with the invisible forces all around them; and the trials and tribulations of the life hereafter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thames and Hudson (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47363104342252,"sku":"9780500251980","price":62.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2340663482366.jpg?v=1772913709"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/series-myths.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}