Strange Japanese Yokai – A Guide – Kenji Murakami
Strange Japanese Yokai – A Guide to Weird and Wonderful Monsters, Demons and Spirits by Kenji Murakami, translated by Zack Davisson / ISBN 9784805317235 / 192-page paperback published in 2023 by Tuttle
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Since time immemorial, Japan has been inhabited by supernatural creatures, spirits, monsters and demons…Here’s your chance to meet them up close and personal.
Strange Japanese Yokai assembles an extraordinary collection of mysterious creatures in every possible shape and size, each with their own unique back story. Some are well-known, others obscure. The one thing they share in common is that they are creepy and weird!
The 122 different Yokai described in this book include:
The Kappa: A dangerous creature who lives in lakes and rivers and attacks passers-by
The Nurarihyon: A mysterious Yokai with a huge head who steals food, tobacco and alcohol
The Yadokai: A mischievous former monk who wanders at night vandalizing and being a pest
The Ohaguru:A scary Yokai with black teeth who looks like a beautiful woman from afar until she gets closer, smiles, and reveals herself
Yokai expert Kenji Murakami identifies each Yokai, explains the history, where they commonly appear, and their strange powers. The book is illustrated with hundreds of full-color drawings showcasing the fascinating features of these strange creatures. Every monster here, no matter how disgusting, is part of the rich cultural legacy of Japan.
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