AboutSteve Battisti Expertise I`m always willing to give help, or at least my opinions on things related to Japan. I think I`m especially strong at helping out non-native Japanese speakers with the language. Also, helping others understand the culture, such as U.S. businessmen who have to do business with Japanese. I`m not doing translations right now, unless it`s just a phrase or a word. More of a language and general Japanese culture guy than a travel/history expert.
Experience 10+ years of studying Japan and Japanese language. I lived there for 5 years, one as a student, four as a businessman. Most importantly, I lived there because I wanted to live there, not because someone sent me there!
Expert: Steve Battisti Date: 5/31/2008 Subject: Information
Question QUESTION: Hey steve, I would like to know more about ninjas, samurais, warewolves and vampires. I'm writing a novel and i need more information, think you can help? please try. But if you can't its fine. I would like to ask if ninjas and samurais coexist on the same era same with the vampires and warewolves. Are there warewolves in Japan? can you guve me a site that tells about the legends, myths and stories about these said creatures? thanks
ANSWER: Lily,
This isn't quite my area of expertise, but I'll do what I can. The obvious difference here is that ninja and samurai were real people, while vampires and werewolves are considered to be myths (by most people).
So, first off, I don't think there's any way to say if they all coexisted in the same era. To my knowledge, Japan has no history of werewolves or vampires. In general, vampires and werewolves descend from Western mythology (primarily Europe), and not from Asian culture.
You can never trust wikipedia 100%, but in many cases Wikipedia articles can lead you to more authoritative works on many subjects. I suggest you start there to learn more about each of the 4 things you mentioned:
If you need better sources than that, look at the references section of each of those articles.
Beyond that, I think your best place to start may be your local library, which almost certainly has books on each of these four topics.
I hope this helps!
Steve
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Steve!!
Its me again!! like to ask another favor. Can you give me a link that can help me have the whole map of Japan. I tried going to the library but it isn't that much of a help. I need more specified and elaborate maps. I know theres a lot of site available out there but i also want to know the history about that specific place. thanks
