Some characters seemed to leap straight from their mythos and onto the pages of the book-from a playful kitsune shapeshifter with fox ears, to a crow lord called the Tengu, to the irascible god of storms Susano.
Figuring out where to hold fast to the original stories, and where to deviate into fantasy, was tricky at times. Many principal kami of folklore became characters in the Red Winter series, and I wanted to stay true to their dual natures. It’s even said they possess two souls, one gentle and one assertive. A defining characteristic of kami is that they embody both good and evil, equally capable of nurturing or destroying. A kami is a god-like being, but the term is far more encompassing than you might expect-it includes anything with a spiritual nature and supernatural powers. My research began with Shintoism and kami. I’ve been fascinated with Japan’s rich, varied, and ancient mythos for many years, and I was so excited to tell a story with magic, creatures, and folklore that aren’t often drawn upon in Western fantasy. Before I knew anything else about the Red Winter trilogy, I knew Japanese mythology would play a central part in the world and magic of the series.
0 kommentar(er)
