Q 01/05

In Japanese folklore, the thrashing of which giant creature beneath the islands causes earthquakes?

A) A spider

B) A toad

C) A catfish

D) A boar

Answer · why

C) A catfish

A catfish called Namazu lies beneath Japan, pinned under a heavy stone by the god of Kashima. Whenever his guard slips, the fish thrashes and the grou...

Q 02/05

Which skinned animal does the kind god Ōkuninushi heal in a famous Kojiki tale, winning a princess?

A) A hare

B) A fox

C) A monkey

D) A deer

Answer · why

A) A hare

A hare had lost its fur to the sea beasts it tricked, and Ōkuninushi's cruel brothers told it to bathe in the salty sea. He sent it to wash in a river...

Q 03/05

How did the courtier Hieda no Are preserve the records behind Japan's oldest chronicle?

A) Carved them in stone

B) Memorised them

C) Hid them in shrines

D) Copied them onto silk

Answer · why

B) Memorised them

Memorised them: Emperor Tenmu had Hieda no Are, famed for a flawless memory, learn the records by heart. The recital was written down only in 712, lon...

Q 04/05

Japan's official history of 720, the Nihon Shoki, was written in which foreign language?

A) Sanskrit

B) Korean

C) Pali

D) Chinese

Answer · why

D) Chinese

Chinese, in its classical form, was the language of official documents at the Japanese court, so the scholars working under Prince Toneri used it for ...

Q 05/05

On what are Japan's Seven Lucky Gods said to arrive at New Year, bringing good fortune?

A) A golden cloud

B) An ox cart

C) A giant carp

D) A treasure ship

Answer · why

D) A treasure ship

A treasure ship, the Takarabune, carries the seven gods and their magical cargo. People used to sleep with a print of it under the pillow at New Year,...