Chinese and Japanese Mythology in Life Classical Chinese and classical Japanese mythology are quite similar, in fact they have more commonalities than differences. For example, one can compare and contrast the two mythologies in terms of characters, form and structure, creation myths, and the mythology's relevance to life. Animals and dragons also appear repeatedly in Chinese and Japanese mythology. In this article it will be shown that Chinese and Japanese mythologies are more similar than different. Characters in Chinese and Japanese myths have similar personalities and reactions. For example, the heroes of both mythologies use tricks, cunning schemes, and general intelligence achieves their goals, instead of strength and wit alone. An example in a Japanese myth, a hero named Ito Soda chased away an evil creature by standing guard all night, despite a sleeping spell. "The false O Toyo, after being frustrated on two occasions, now stays away altogether". An example in a Chinese myth is where a man named Li fought a river god. “The south-facing buffalo with a white stripe across the middle of its body is me… Finally, his chief secretary killed the north-facing buffalo (his opponent, the river god). That was the end of the river deity and all the problems it had caused.” Another major similarity is that characters in both mythologies treat most animals like people. For example, the mythology might say something like: the evil badger plotted to steal food from the main storehouse, rather than the badger simply stole the food. A specific example in a Japanese myth is "The rabbit wanted to help", which shows that the rabbit was a character comparable to people. Chinese and Japanese mythologies feature dragons in... middle of paper... .fuushi/b-eng/e-myth-6.htm (accessed May 20, 2009).Roberts, Jeremy. Japanese Mythology A to Z (Mythology A to Z). New York: Facts on File, 2004. “Old Fool Removes Mountains.” China Vista, China tours, China travel and Chinese culture - the world's leading online gateway to China. http://www.chinavista.com/experience/story/story3.html (accessed May 20, 2009). "Xanga - Signin Lock." Xanga.com - The blogging community. http://www.xanga.com/XangaLock.aspx?user=nowayout001&ReturnUrl=http%3a%2f%2fnowayout001.xanga.com%2f692296546%2freflecting-on-my-dreams%2f (accessed May 20, 2009).humanity , Confucian teachings on and justice. "Chinese Myths and Fantasies." China Vista, China tours, China travel and Chinese culture - the world's leading online gateway to China. http://www.chinavista.com/experience/myth/myth.html (visited May 20, 2009).