The Mythology Behind Spirited Away
The following contains spoilers for Spirited Away.
Spirited Away is one of Studio Ghibli's most famous and beloved movies, both in Japan and abroad. The story and characters have captivated the hearts of so many people over the years, and its popularity has not died down no matter how many new movies Studio Ghibli has made. But did you know that many of the characters and themes in the movie are actually based on characters from Japanese mythology and folklore?
Understanding their inspirations and origins can help bring a whole new level of understanding to Spirited Away's already heartwarming and charming story. While in Japan, most people would be able to instantly make the connections between these characters and their cultural counterparts, others who are less familiar with Japanese folklore may miss the deeper meanings behind them. Nearly all the characters at the bathhouse that Chihiro becomes trapped in have some basis in Japanese mythos, and we will look at a few of the most famous ones.
RELATED: Incredible Studio Ghibli Experience Open for a Limited Time
The very premise of Spirited Away, the story of a young girl who is taken in by gods and works for them in their bathhouse, is based on the traditional Japanese belief of «kamikakushi.» This idea believes that sometimes spirits take away children, and throughout history has been used as a comfort for parents who lose their children. Believing that they were taken by the gods is better than accepting a far darker reality of where their child has gone.
Another small detail important to Chihiro's journey is that she both enters and leaves the spiritual realm through a tunnel. According to Japanese superstition, traveling through tunnels can lead people into another
Read more on gamerant.com
