Yokai are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. In the Edo period (1603-1868), many artists, such as Hokusai Katsushika or Kuniyoshi Utagawa, created their works of featuring Yokai inspired by folklore or their own ideas. Yokai have attracted the artists and have been a common theme in art works until these days because of their unique forms and their mysterious behaviors.This book is a visual collection of art works of Yokai in Japan since the Edo period. The works are not only paintings but also wood block prints, scrolls, ceramics, kimonos, children’s playthings such as board games, and more. This would be an attractive book for Yokai beginners/maniacs, and would be also a valuable source for designers and illustrators.
About the collection: Most of the items that will be featured in the book come from personal collections by Koichi Yumoto, who has the largest Yokai collection in Japan. He comments on the history of Yokai and explains about the items in the book.