NEW - Yokai & Ghosts

Discover the wondrously eerie supernatural creatures of Japanese lore in this beautiful hardcover edition with an elegant silk coating and colored borders and closure straps.

Description:
Yōkai are an important aspect of Japanese culture. They are alternately fearsome, playful, and mischievous. They can take the form of malevolent spirits seeking a place in the afterlife, or shapeshifters who trick people with wisdom and sometimes even cruelty.

This unique book features 150 striking illustrations by Hokusai, Hiroshige, Utamaro, and others, capturing the essence of yōkai folklore in stunning detail and evocative imagery. Each chapter, filled with colorful reproductions, focuses on a specific spirit or type. These include the spirit of Oiwa, her face disfigured by poison, as depicted by Hokusai; Toyohara Kunichika's haunting interpretation of Okiku, a tragic spirit with a story of betrayal and revenge; and Yoshitoshi's dramatic image of a samurai bravely confronting a hideous spirit.

In the book, readers will discover how the intricate details of woodcuts allowed artists to exaggerate features and create dramatic effects that enhanced the depiction of yōkai. These prints also reveal aspects of daily life, folklore, and spiritual beliefs of the time, offering a glimpse into Japanese history and hinting at the origins of manga, horror films, and literature.

Specifications:
Original title: Fantomes Yokai
Originally published by: Hazan
Hardcover, 192 pages, 16.1 x 22.6 cm, 6.3 x 8.9 inches, 150 color illustrations