The Book of Japanese Folklore: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth: The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster K - Hardcover

by Thersa Matsuura (Author), Michelle Wang (Illustrator)

Discover everything you've ever wondered about the legendary spirits, creatures, and figures of Japanese folklore including how they have found their way into every corner of our pop culture from the creator of the podcast Uncanny Japan.

Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a fascinating journey through Japan's folklore through profiles of the legendary creatures and beings who continue to live on in pop culture today.

From the sly kitsune to the orgrish oni and mischievous shape-shifting tanuki, learn all about the origins of these fantastical and mythical creatures. This gorgeous package is complete with stained edges and stunning four-color illustrations. With information on their cultural significance, a retelling of a popular tale tied to that particular yokai, and how it's been spun into today's popular culture, this handsome tome teaches you about the stories and histories of the beings that inspired characters in your favorite movies, animes, manga, and games.

Adventure, mystery, and amazing tales await in The Book of Japanese Folklore.

Author Biography

Thersa Matsuura is an American expat who has lived in Japan for over thirty years. Her fluency in the language allows her to explore her favorite part of Japanese culture: all the myths, legends, folktales, and superstitions. Thersa retells these Japanese folktales and ghost stories on her popular podcast Uncanny Japan. Thersa has also published two short story collections, including A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories and The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales, a collection of horror stories inspired by Japanese folktales, which was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in 2017.

Michelle Wang is an artist based in California. Her artworks are inspired by anime and manga, as well as pop culture, old magazines and photographs, and the beautiful outdoors. Her pieces aim to elicit feelings of awe and serenity through a painterly style, flowing lines, clean details, and nature-inspired colors. Michelle is also a student at UC Berkeley studying computer science, and in her free time enjoys designing and programming apps, as well as practicing yoga and taking long walks with her sister. Her works can be found under the username @NuttyMelon on social media and Etsy.