A new book about Yōkai (Japanese supernatural creatures)

January 23, 2024 9:36 PM

A 500-Page Book Explores the Japanese Folkloric Tradition of the Supernatural Yōkai Entities.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (7 comments total)

Wow, I wish I had the space and the money for this because it looks absolutely gorgeous and spirits are such a fascinating cultural topic.
posted by smirkette at 9:48 PM on January 23 [1 favorite]

Nice! There have been a number of these books out lately, many quite good (one of my favorites). For those with an interest in yokai and horror fiction, check out Cassandra Khaw's Nothing But Blackened Teeth, which is that and also has an outstanding example of ekphrasis in horror.
posted by cupcakeninja at 4:15 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]

TIL ekphrasis. Thanks!
posted by j_curiouser at 5:26 AM on January 24 [2 favorites]

There is a wonderful exhibition at the Santa Fe International Museum of Folk Art that is winding down; Yōkai: Ghosts & Demons of Japan. Wonderful masks, amulets, drawings, comics and even a obake yashiki (a Japanese “monster house”). I knew nothing about this until I went and now I'm grateful to have been introduced to it. And I learned that Pokemon is rooted in the yokai folklore.
posted by jabo at 8:14 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]

PIE International does a great job with their books, though I haven't bought any of theirs that are this hefty. Looks cool!
posted by May Kasahara at 8:36 AM on January 24

The Great Yokai War was a fun little film. I haven't yet watched the sequel.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 8:48 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]

A Letter to Momo (2011) is a sweet and mostly low-key slice-of-life film about yōkai that I'd recommend too.
posted by Wobbuffet at 9:11 AM on January 24 [1 favorite]