Japanese horror is known for its stories of vengeful ghosts seeking reprisal for an act of murder or betrayal, and their haunting narratives seem to slowly seep into our consciousness and leave a truly unsettling aftertaste. But as many people have found, there is beauty and attraction in even the most terrifying. Ghosts and monsters from old Japanese folktales were often models for traditional art, and stories of their becoming have been passed down through the centuries to many curious ears.

Combining the beauty and horror of Japanese ghosts and monsters is the ukiyoe Japanese ghost encyclopedia. To be released on July 11th, 2016, it is a gorgeous book that introduces the wide variety of Japanese ghosts, monsters, and fairies, through ukiyoe paintings and descriptive passages in both Japanese and English.

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Source: PR Times

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The ukiyoe paintings featured in the book are those of legendary artists such as Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. They’re eerie but fascinating, and capture different aspects of the often feared protagonists of old Japanese tales. Ghosts described in the book include Okiku and Oiwa, both from famous stories of women seeking revenge after their terrible deaths.

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Source: PR Times

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The ukiyoe Japanese ghost encyclopedia can be purchased for 2,200 yen (21.18 USD) online, but also at the Paramita Museum in Mie Prefecture from June 23rd to July 31st. It will make a great reference book for any fan of Japanese horror, and simply a gorgeous work of literature filled with artwork from world-renowned Japanese artists.

If you’ve been lacking in terrifying Japanese horror stories lately, this encyclopedia will give you just that — and so much more.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.