For those of you that don’t know, Epcot has a section called World Showcase which makes you feel as if you are in the actual countries. For example, England’s section has phone booths and an English garden you can walk through, Mexico has a Mayan pyramid that you can go in, etc.

At the various countries, there are also different exhibits that show off various aspects of their cultures. The last time I was in Japan at Disney’s World Showcase, they had an exhibit called Spirited Beast. In short, the exhibit talks about how many of today’s anime characters originated from myths and folklore.

One of the myths showcased was called Moon Rabbit. Basically, a rabbit offers himself up as food for a poor hungry elderly traveler. Much to the rabbit’s surprise, the traveler turns out to be a god in disguise! The god is so touched by the animal’s generosity and selflessness, that he draws a picture of the creature on the moon. And that is why some nights it looks as if the moon has a giant rabbit on it.

For some reason, I was really inspired by this story and drew a picture inspired by it later that night. And thus…Moon Bunnies was born!

Moon Bunnies Bag by ValeriesGallery

• Moon Bunnies is available at Zazzle, Red Bubble (as a print and clothing, stickers, etc.) Imagekind and Skreened
• That I’ve written a squidoo lens called Florida: Beyond Beaches and Theme Parks

A huge thanks to Bebop’s Place for sharing my Double Happiness in Red Wall Clock on the blog The Daily Rainbow on May 22! Check it out!

And here is some more rabbit and/or Japanese inspired works by other talented artist:

Bugs With Carrot Tshirts by looneytunesshow	Footbridge spanning moat at Matsumoto Castle iPhone 5 Cover by corbisimages	Rabbit Playing in the Snow by Hokushu Posters by VintagePets
Geisha iPhone 5 Cover by pjwuebker	Cute Bunny Holding Rose Cork Coaster by FalconsEye	Grimm Fairy Tales – Little Mermaid at Itsukushima iPhone 4 Covers by zenescope
Bunny seeking shelter greeting card by Bebops	Anime Bat Girl Goth Fantasy Sweet 16 Birthday Personalized Announcements by gothicbusiness	“Rabbit grazing” portrait fine art notebook by Mylittleeden
koi carp decorative red fish iPad mini cases by myworldtravels	© P Wherrell Cute rabbit Easter bunny digital iPad Mini Covers by PaulineWherrellGifts	Japanese Horses Antique Reproduction Luggage Tag by ZapTime
Late T Shirts by Brandless	YinYang Poster by Jicha	Cute Blue Bunny Rabbit. Pillow by Animal_Art_By_Ali

And let’s not forget our friends over at RedBubble!

How cute, creepy and awesome is this shirt by shpshift?

Have you seen a design as clever as this shirt by mobii?

And have you seen anything as precious as this piece by Ellen van Deelen? Awww!

Have you ever been inspired by myths, legends or folklore?  Feel free to share in the comments!