Monstruos Yokai

In Japan, they dwell where fear surprises us: in the heart of the forest, at the bottom of a well, in the gloom of a room, in the back room of a temple, in the silence of a cemetery, or in the deepest lair. Where blood runs cold and skin prickles, fantastic creatures dwell: the yōkai. Born in an era when only the flickering light of lanterns illuminated the night streets, these monsters are as varied and capricious as the human imagination. Giant animals that emerge from the bowels of the earth, ancient objects that awaken to life, foxes and badgers that bewitch men, hybrid and mischievous beings always ready to lay a trap or elicit a disquieting smile. Their image spread rapidly in the 19th century thanks to the extraordinary expansion of Japanese prints. Since then, these supernatural presences—terrifying and fascinating—have continued to populate the imagination and culture of Japan. In these pages, the reader will delve into his universe through the great masters of fantastic prints—Yoshitoshi, Kuniyoshi, Kunisada, and Sekien—whose works retain their horrifying power and haunting beauty.