Yōkai : ghosts, demons & monsters of Japan / edited by Felicia Katz-Harris ; original Japanese translation by Kaya Laterman.



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Accompanies the exhibition "Yōkai : Ghosts & Demons of Japan" held at Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA), Santa Fe, December 8, 2019 - January 10, 2021." Includes bibliographical references (pages 243-251) and index. Some essays translated from the Japanese.

Title
Yōkai : ghosts, demons & monsters of Japan / edited by Felicia Katz-Harris ; original Japanese translation by Kaya Laterman.
Artist
Katz-Harris, Felicia, editor.
Subjects
Language
English, Japanese
Type
Book
Abstract
"Vivid in Japanese art and imagination are creatures that are at once ghastly and humorous. The Japanese word yōkai generally refers to a range of supernatural beings such as ghosts, demons, monsters, shapeshifters, tricksters, and other strange kinds of creatures. While their status is commonly described as supernatural, they intermingle with and appear in the natural, human world. Today, yōkai are wildly popular in Japan. They are prevalent across contemporary entertainment genres such as manga ("comics") and anime ("animation") series, horror movies, and video games, and they also manifest as the subject of related material culture objects like game cards, character t-shirts, cuddly plushies, and collectable gashapon capsule toys. This diverse array of yōkai imagery and materiality is deeply rooted in the past. Yōkai images and their stories are enduring, and there is no question that what we see trending today is closely aligned with traditional Japanese folklore. "Yōkai: Ghosts, Demons & Monsters of Japan" explores yōkai and their popularity in Japan through multiple perspectives: what they are, their associated tales, how people engage with or interpret them in different contexts, and why they remain so popular in Japan. The contributors to this book are eminent scholars, creators, and promoters of various aspects of yōkai culture. The interdisciplinary nature of this book's presentation vibrantly illustrates yōkai from different angles, allowing for a broad view of their cultural scope in Japan. In addition, the contributors delve into popular culture themes, connecting traditional folklore, folk art, and imagery to trends in Japan as well as in the United States"-- Provided by publisher.
Year
2019
Original Publisher(s)
Digital Publisher(s)