Okami is a game by Clover Studios that was released in 2006 for the Playstation 2. Since it was released 8 years ago, it has already received countless reviews, so instead I’m going to go in-depth into the references to Japanese culture and mythology found in the game. 

As a preface, the game revolves around the goddess of the sun, Amaterasu(天照), reincarnated into the form of a wolf, who must restore the land to its former glory after it has been terrorized by Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐の大蛇 lit. 8-branched snake). The game is presented in a Sumi-e (墨絵, ink wash painting) art style and an ink brush is used for the majority of special attacks.

So without further ado, here are some of the references that can be found in Okami.

  Even the name itself, Okami, has some signifance. When written with the kanji, 大神, Okami means great god or great spirit. But when written with the kanji, 狼, it means wolf. Keep in mind that the game revolves around the god of both the sun and the universe Amaterasu, who has been reincarnated as a wolf

Next we have the wandering artist Issun, who accompanies Ametarasu throughout her adventure. He is based on a Japanese folktale called Issun-bōshi (一寸法師 One-inch boy). The story tells of a boy who was only one-inch in size, travelling around the world with a bowl for a boat, chopsticks for oars and a sewing needle as his sword. He eventually comes across a wealthy daimyo and he is hired to protect his beautiful daughter. After saving her from an Oni (鬼 demon, devil, ogre), he is granted normal height using the magical Uchide’s mallet that the Oni coughs up when slain.

Ewan Haggart, Year 10