What is the term for the study of Japanese folklore?

The term for the study of Japanese folklore is Minzokugaku. This field specifically focuses on the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the Japanese people, encompassing various aspects of their folklore, including myths, legends, and oral traditions. Minzokugaku aims to understand and document the cultural heritage of Japan, analyzing how these stories and practices shape the identity of communities.

In contrast, Shinto refers to the indigenous spirituality of Japan, which includes various rituals and practices but is not a study of folklore per se. Animism is a belief system that attributes spiritual essence to various natural elements and phenomena, but it does not specifically pertain to the folklore of Japan or its academic study. Folk Studies, while broadly applicable to the study of folklore in various cultures, is not the specific term used for the study of Japanese folklore, which is comprehensively captured by Minzokugaku.