Journey to the West Research
@jttwresearch.bsky.social
Researching the historical, religious, and folklore influences of the great 16th-century Chinese classic Journey to the West
journeytothewestresearch.wordpress.com
journeytothewestresearch.wordpress.com
I'm going to take a break from writing about 'Journey to the West' for a while in favor of working on a compilation of sources about Heracles/Hercules. The tentative title is 'The Hercules Omnibus.'
Read more here:
www.tumblr.com/journeytothe...
Carving by Antonín Pavel Wagner (1834-1895).
Read more here:
www.tumblr.com/journeytothe...
Carving by Antonín Pavel Wagner (1834-1895).
October 29, 2025 at 3:29 AM
I'm going to take a break from writing about 'Journey to the West' for a while in favor of working on a compilation of sources about Heracles/Hercules. The tentative title is 'The Hercules Omnibus.'
Read more here:
www.tumblr.com/journeytothe...
Carving by Antonín Pavel Wagner (1834-1895).
Read more here:
www.tumblr.com/journeytothe...
Carving by Antonín Pavel Wagner (1834-1895).
Journey to the West gives 3 explanations for Sun Wukong's invulnerability:
- Ch. 7: Samadhi fire refined immortal foodstuff into a "Diamond body" (per Laozi)
- Ch. 34: Laozi's furnace refines a metallic body (Per Sun)
- Ch. 75: Born w/a head of bronze & iron, further refined by furnace (Per Sun)
- Ch. 7: Samadhi fire refined immortal foodstuff into a "Diamond body" (per Laozi)
- Ch. 34: Laozi's furnace refines a metallic body (Per Sun)
- Ch. 75: Born w/a head of bronze & iron, further refined by furnace (Per Sun)
October 20, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Journey to the West gives 3 explanations for Sun Wukong's invulnerability:
- Ch. 7: Samadhi fire refined immortal foodstuff into a "Diamond body" (per Laozi)
- Ch. 34: Laozi's furnace refines a metallic body (Per Sun)
- Ch. 75: Born w/a head of bronze & iron, further refined by furnace (Per Sun)
- Ch. 7: Samadhi fire refined immortal foodstuff into a "Diamond body" (per Laozi)
- Ch. 34: Laozi's furnace refines a metallic body (Per Sun)
- Ch. 75: Born w/a head of bronze & iron, further refined by furnace (Per Sun)
I recently came across a Chinese translation of a 1990 TMNT comic for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Taiwan. I may get it.
October 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM
I recently came across a Chinese translation of a 1990 TMNT comic for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Taiwan. I may get it.
My new article provides a more natural reason for Sun Wukong to fight Heracles from Greco-Roman Myth.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/10/04/s...
Drawing by Dario Virga (Onibotokemaru on Instagram).
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/10/04/s...
Drawing by Dario Virga (Onibotokemaru on Instagram).
October 3, 2025 at 11:30 PM
My new article provides a more natural reason for Sun Wukong to fight Heracles from Greco-Roman Myth.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/10/04/s...
Drawing by Dario Virga (Onibotokemaru on Instagram).
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/10/04/s...
Drawing by Dario Virga (Onibotokemaru on Instagram).
I just figured out a way to insert Sun Wukong into Greek myth. The "Cercopes" (Gr: Κέρκωπες; lit: "tail men") were two bandit brothers that were transformed into monkeys by Zeus for their misdeeds. Another version says they were turned to stone. Why not both?
October 2, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I just figured out a way to insert Sun Wukong into Greek myth. The "Cercopes" (Gr: Κέρκωπες; lit: "tail men") were two bandit brothers that were transformed into monkeys by Zeus for their misdeeds. Another version says they were turned to stone. Why not both?
(1/2) I thought of another parallel between Sun Wukong & Heracles/Hercules: both figures have twins!
- Heracles' twin (half) brother is Iphicles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphicles
- Monkey's twin is the Six-Eared Macaque.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2020/11/04/o...
- Heracles' twin (half) brother is Iphicles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphicles
- Monkey's twin is the Six-Eared Macaque.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2020/11/04/o...
September 27, 2025 at 4:12 AM
(1/2) I thought of another parallel between Sun Wukong & Heracles/Hercules: both figures have twins!
- Heracles' twin (half) brother is Iphicles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphicles
- Monkey's twin is the Six-Eared Macaque.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2020/11/04/o...
- Heracles' twin (half) brother is Iphicles.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iphicles
- Monkey's twin is the Six-Eared Macaque.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2020/11/04/o...
I have written a quick article about the origins of the JTTW episode where the white turtle-spirit dumps the pilgrims and the scriptures into the water.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/08/09/o...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/08/09/o...
August 11, 2025 at 7:11 AM
I have written a quick article about the origins of the JTTW episode where the white turtle-spirit dumps the pilgrims and the scriptures into the water.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/08/09/o...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/08/09/o...
I've archived a PDF of Dr. Moss Robert's four-volume Foreign Language Press translation of Three Kingdoms (Sanguo yanyi, 三國演義, 14-century).
I did this because per the Journey to the West Library blog the book influenced aspects of Journey to the West.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/27/a...
I did this because per the Journey to the West Library blog the book influenced aspects of Journey to the West.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/27/a...
July 27, 2025 at 11:59 AM
I've archived a PDF of Dr. Moss Robert's four-volume Foreign Language Press translation of Three Kingdoms (Sanguo yanyi, 三國演義, 14-century).
I did this because per the Journey to the West Library blog the book influenced aspects of Journey to the West.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/27/a...
I did this because per the Journey to the West Library blog the book influenced aspects of Journey to the West.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/27/a...
Here's a Master's thesis that describes the cultural and political context behind the creation of the animated film 'Havoc in Heaven' (1961/1964).
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/24/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/24/a...
July 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Here's a Master's thesis that describes the cultural and political context behind the creation of the animated film 'Havoc in Heaven' (1961/1964).
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/24/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/07/24/a...
The scorpion-spirit from Journey to the West is one of my favorite baddies. A cursory search of CBETA shows that snakes, scorpions, and centipedes are commonly cited evils in Buddhist literature. This might explain her (ch. 55), the red python-spirit (ch. 67), and the centipede-spirit (ch. 73).
July 22, 2025 at 9:27 AM
The scorpion-spirit from Journey to the West is one of my favorite baddies. A cursory search of CBETA shows that snakes, scorpions, and centipedes are commonly cited evils in Buddhist literature. This might explain her (ch. 55), the red python-spirit (ch. 67), and the centipede-spirit (ch. 73).
Here is my new article about Shi Pantuo, Xuanzang's historical (temporary) guide that likely influenced Sun Wukong.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/06/29/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/06/29/a...
June 30, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Here is my new article about Shi Pantuo, Xuanzang's historical (temporary) guide that likely influenced Sun Wukong.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/06/29/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/06/29/a...
Blood magic is one of Sun Wukong's most powerful skills. In ch. 25, he bites his tongue and spits blood to change trees into the JTTW pilgrims. These clones can even talk and answer questions. They are so perfect, in fact, that Monkey feels a shiver up his spine when his is hit with a magic whip.
June 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Blood magic is one of Sun Wukong's most powerful skills. In ch. 25, he bites his tongue and spits blood to change trees into the JTTW pilgrims. These clones can even talk and answer questions. They are so perfect, in fact, that Monkey feels a shiver up his spine when his is hit with a magic whip.
I've previously posted that Sun Wukong's Buddha title, "Victorious Fighting Buddha" (鬥戰勝佛), is based on the historical Yuddhajaya Buddha (Sk: युद्धजय).
I just learned that Yuddhajaya has another name, "Vijita-saṃgrāma" (Ch: 勇健吉祥佛; Viet: Dũng Kiện Cát Tương Phật; lit: “Brave and Auspicious Buddha”)
I just learned that Yuddhajaya has another name, "Vijita-saṃgrāma" (Ch: 勇健吉祥佛; Viet: Dũng Kiện Cát Tương Phật; lit: “Brave and Auspicious Buddha”)
June 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
I've previously posted that Sun Wukong's Buddha title, "Victorious Fighting Buddha" (鬥戰勝佛), is based on the historical Yuddhajaya Buddha (Sk: युद्धजय).
I just learned that Yuddhajaya has another name, "Vijita-saṃgrāma" (Ch: 勇健吉祥佛; Viet: Dũng Kiện Cát Tương Phật; lit: “Brave and Auspicious Buddha”)
I just learned that Yuddhajaya has another name, "Vijita-saṃgrāma" (Ch: 勇健吉祥佛; Viet: Dũng Kiện Cát Tương Phật; lit: “Brave and Auspicious Buddha”)
I bought this JTTW bag on Taiwan Facebook marketplace.
June 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
I bought this JTTW bag on Taiwan Facebook marketplace.
Two of the neatest things I learned from a book on Indo-European mythology is that someone can recognize a disguised god by two things:
1) They are exceptionally heavy for their size.
2) They walk with great ease, almost like they are skating or hovering just above the ground.
1) They are exceptionally heavy for their size.
2) They walk with great ease, almost like they are skating or hovering just above the ground.
May 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Two of the neatest things I learned from a book on Indo-European mythology is that someone can recognize a disguised god by two things:
1) They are exceptionally heavy for their size.
2) They walk with great ease, almost like they are skating or hovering just above the ground.
1) They are exceptionally heavy for their size.
2) They walk with great ease, almost like they are skating or hovering just above the ground.
My article about the “four monkeys of havoc” (四猴混世, a.k.a. "four celestial primates") is one of my most popular pieces. It's received roughly 45K views in just 3 years. This is surprising since the group is only mentioned by name once in JTTW.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/02/20/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/02/20/a...
May 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
My article about the “four monkeys of havoc” (四猴混世, a.k.a. "four celestial primates") is one of my most popular pieces. It's received roughly 45K views in just 3 years. This is surprising since the group is only mentioned by name once in JTTW.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/02/20/a...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/02/20/a...
I've updated the images on my "Qitian Dasheng Monkey King Temples in Taiwan" article.
The links originally stopped working when my old uni gmail account was deleted in 2024.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2021/02/15/q...
Pic: Monkey spirit-generals from Shengfo Tang (聖佛堂) in Beigang, Yunlin.
The links originally stopped working when my old uni gmail account was deleted in 2024.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2021/02/15/q...
Pic: Monkey spirit-generals from Shengfo Tang (聖佛堂) in Beigang, Yunlin.
May 15, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I've updated the images on my "Qitian Dasheng Monkey King Temples in Taiwan" article.
The links originally stopped working when my old uni gmail account was deleted in 2024.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2021/02/15/q...
Pic: Monkey spirit-generals from Shengfo Tang (聖佛堂) in Beigang, Yunlin.
The links originally stopped working when my old uni gmail account was deleted in 2024.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2021/02/15/q...
Pic: Monkey spirit-generals from Shengfo Tang (聖佛堂) in Beigang, Yunlin.
A British friend of mine visited a Zhu Bajie temple in Yunan, China and got me two of these Talismans. They arrived in the mail today.
May 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
A British friend of mine visited a Zhu Bajie temple in Yunan, China and got me two of these Talismans. They arrived in the mail today.
Zhu Bajie has two giant forms in Journey to the West.
In chapter 29, he grows 8 or 9-zhang (八九丈), which is 83.44 or 93.97 feet / 25.44 or 28.62 meters tall.
In chapter 67, his giant boar form is 1,000-chi (千尺), which is 1,025 feet / 312.42 meters tall.
In chapter 29, he grows 8 or 9-zhang (八九丈), which is 83.44 or 93.97 feet / 25.44 or 28.62 meters tall.
In chapter 67, his giant boar form is 1,000-chi (千尺), which is 1,025 feet / 312.42 meters tall.
May 6, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Zhu Bajie has two giant forms in Journey to the West.
In chapter 29, he grows 8 or 9-zhang (八九丈), which is 83.44 or 93.97 feet / 25.44 or 28.62 meters tall.
In chapter 67, his giant boar form is 1,000-chi (千尺), which is 1,025 feet / 312.42 meters tall.
In chapter 29, he grows 8 or 9-zhang (八九丈), which is 83.44 or 93.97 feet / 25.44 or 28.62 meters tall.
In chapter 67, his giant boar form is 1,000-chi (千尺), which is 1,025 feet / 312.42 meters tall.
Here's a new article analyzing the claim that Sun Wukong can gain the strength and magical abilities of an opponent by copying their appearance via the 72 Changes or hair clones. It's a misconception based on Monkey's battle with Nezha in JTTW chapter 4.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/05/04/c...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/05/04/c...
May 4, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Here's a new article analyzing the claim that Sun Wukong can gain the strength and magical abilities of an opponent by copying their appearance via the 72 Changes or hair clones. It's a misconception based on Monkey's battle with Nezha in JTTW chapter 4.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/05/04/c...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2025/05/04/c...
I was surprised to see that the movie Sinners (2025) has a background dancer wearing Sun Wukong opera garb. They appear in a dream-like sequence while everyone dances to blues music. I wasn't expecting this since the movie is set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta (USA).
May 2, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I was surprised to see that the movie Sinners (2025) has a background dancer wearing Sun Wukong opera garb. They appear in a dream-like sequence while everyone dances to blues music. I wasn't expecting this since the movie is set in the 1930s Mississippi Delta (USA).
I just started reading 'Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs' (2002) by John Lindow. It's interesting.
Here's a PDF for those who may also want to read it:
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
If you enjoy it, please buy the official release.
Here's a PDF for those who may also want to read it:
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
If you enjoy it, please buy the official release.
April 30, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I just started reading 'Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs' (2002) by John Lindow. It's interesting.
Here's a PDF for those who may also want to read it:
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
If you enjoy it, please buy the official release.
Here's a PDF for those who may also want to read it:
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
If you enjoy it, please buy the official release.
I got these resin Monkey King statues on Facebook Marketplace Taiwan. They came with wooden stands that appear to have once held name plates, suggesting that they're originally awards. Each is a little over 17-inches(43.18 cm)-tall and REALLY heavy.
April 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I got these resin Monkey King statues on Facebook Marketplace Taiwan. They came with wooden stands that appear to have once held name plates, suggesting that they're originally awards. Each is a little over 17-inches(43.18 cm)-tall and REALLY heavy.
My 2022 article proposes a real world mantra for the "tight-fillet spell," which causes Sun Wukong's headband to tighten around his skull. It has been surprisingly popular according to my blog analytics. I'm not sure why.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/01/23/t...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/01/23/t...
April 21, 2025 at 11:08 AM
My 2022 article proposes a real world mantra for the "tight-fillet spell," which causes Sun Wukong's headband to tighten around his skull. It has been surprisingly popular according to my blog analytics. I'm not sure why.
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/01/23/t...
journeytothewestresearch.com/2022/01/23/t...
This PDF of Les Sogdiens en Chine (2005) might be useful to someone.
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
April 13, 2025 at 12:03 AM
This PDF of Les Sogdiens en Chine (2005) might be useful to someone.
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...
journeytothewestresearch.com/wp-content/u...