Star Lore
in Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia
|
|
Star Lore
|
|
|
Crux
In ancient Vietnam, the Southern Cross was called sao Cá Liệt - the ponyfish star.
|
|
|
Orion
Most of the following are direct quotes from the excellent writings of Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara.
|
|
|
When Orion is near the zenith, some Japanese call the trapezoidal figure Sode Boshi. Sleeves of a kimono are long, rectangular, and hang
almost to the ground. Thus, the stars of Orion appear as though a woman has lifted her arm out, and her decorative kimono sleeve drapes gracefully
toward the Southern Sky.
Source: Renshaw and Ihara Depending upon the particular area of Japan and the predominant activity of people living there, job related objects were often seen in the three stars of the belt. For example, apparent equal spacing of Mitsu Boshi led people in areas whose primary industry related to construction or land management to see various types of linear measures such as Shakugo Boshi (ruler stars). |
 Sode Boshi Source: Renshaw and Ihara |
|
In areas where bamboo was grown, people were
likely to call the three belt stars Take no Fushi (bamboo joints) seeing each of the stars as a joint in a bamboo pole. In textile producing areas,
ordinary citizens often visualized three prongs of a machine used in weaving thread and labeled the three stars Kase Boshi.
Source: Renshaw and Ihara |
|
Much of Japanese star lore concerns specific events in the nation's history. In this regard, Orion's Betelgeuse and Rigel have special
significance in many prefectures of Japan. Bluish-white Rigel (β Orionis) is sometimes
called Genji Boshi, representing the Minamoto Clan, while red
Betelgeuse (α Orionis) is called Heike Boshi, representing the
Taira Clan.
Conflicts between the two families lead to a nationwide civil war between 1180 and 1185. Now, the two feuding clans are kept apart by Orion's Belt. Source: Renshaw and Ihara |
|
|
Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara write: "While some star lore reflects a kind of national "consciousness", there is no singular Japanese interpretation of the
star patterns but rather a variety of objects, memorialized events, seasonal markers, symbols of religious value, and legends based on particular
geographical regions and functional needs of ordinary citizens. ... While this is not necessarily unique Japanese behavior, it is nevertheless
important in understanding the kind of folk poetry that is indeed a part of the culture's heritage."
Steve Renshaw and Saori Ihara: Japan's Cultural Heritage Reflected in the Star Lore of Orion Renshaw and Ihara also provide a list of Modern Japanese Names for Constellations |
|
Ursa Major
Shinto
Taoism
Buddhism
Sources: Wikipedia
|
|
 |
Korea
In Korea, the constellation is referred to as "the seven stars of the north." In the related myth, a widow with seven sons found comfort with a
widower, but to get to his house required crossing a stream. The seven sons, sympathetic to their mother, placed stepping stones in the river.
Their mother, not knowing who put the stones in place, blessed them and, when they died, they became the constellation.
|
Stepping stones;
Wikipedia
|
 |
Mongolia
Wikipedia informs us about a Mongolian version of the prehistoric myth of the
Seven Men:
|
 |
Myanmar
In Burmese, the stars of the Big Dipper are known as Pucwan Tārā (pronounced "bazun taja").
Pucwan is a general term for a crustacean, such as prawn, shrimp, crab, lobster,
|
 |
Malaysia and Indonesia
In Malay, the Big Dipper is known as Buruj Biduk, the Boat Constellation;
in Indonesian, as Bintang Biduk, the Canoe Stars.
|
Biduk Canoe in IndonesiaSource: 1001 Malam
|
Back to Star Lore |
Back to Mythology |
 Back to Space Page |
Back to English |
 Back to Start Page |
