Japanese Ghosts and Demons: Art of the Supernatural

by Stephen Addiss

From the seventeenth century to the nineteenth century, many of Japan's most brilliant artists, including Hiroshige, Hokusai, Yoshitoshi, and Zeshin, allowed their imaginations free rein in creating images of the supernatural world in woodblocks, paintings, books, wooden sculptures, and on screens. This is the first book devoted to the study of the supernatural world and its renditions in Japanese art. The illustrations show a stunning array of Japan's more fiendish figures. Each of the ten chapters focuses on one of the most important themes in Japanese lore, discussing its anthropological meaning and literary and artistic interpretations. 49 color illustrations, 75 black-and-white illustrations.

Genres: Art, Japan, Nonfiction, Horror, Folklore, Paranormal, Japanese Literature

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[flannery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Badass. A treasure chest of emaciated ghouls and conniving toads. I got this for one image that has more profoundly affected me than any other. Behold: impassive humanoid ghost staring soundlessly down at a ship in the tsunami.

[Kerfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read simultaneously two books about Japanese spirits and the art that has been made to accompany the stories of these beings.

"Japanese Ghosts and Demons", published 30 years ago, is more scholarly and lacks the clean modern look of "Ghosts and Spirits". But I found that the detailed information about the background of these beings gave a much more nuanced feel to the historical and cultural connections and the resulting art.

The overlap in theme allowed me to compare in a more complete way the different manifestations of these supernatural creatures and also how they have evolved over time. Art and myth together reveal source material for both Japanese manga and animation.

[5 pound poi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only enough in here to whet my appetite, but a decent appetizer nonetheless.

favorites:

Yaji Thinks Kita is a Fox- In the foreground an Asian beats another Asian while yet another looks on distressed, but personally it's not the violence that gets me going. It's the lovely, gentle color scheme, central placement of a powerful & attention demanding tree and the subtle village of huts that is grouped together in the backdrop that really turns me on.

Gods Disguised as Prospective Customers of a Brothel- First of all, I'm already leaning towards sold when you bring me into an adventure into a brothel. Secondly, look at these dude's fucking heads over here! Genuinely cool. Last two things: 1) what a GREAT title for the painting! 2) The Asian whore on her knees peaking through the railing gets me laughing every time.

The Fever of Taira no Kiyomori- Welcome to psychadelic Japan via the 1800s. Definite bonus points for the severed heads.

The Ghosts of Matahachi and Kikuno- Why are the female & female ghost smiling so at each other? I can't make a determination that I'm satisfied with about it. Nonchalant & casual (she sees ghosts all the time, big whoop), long lost lesbian lovers (explains the ensuing male duel on the other side), etc etc.. I could go on with my hairbrained ideas, but I shan't.

The Ghost of Iga Shikibunojo Mitsumune- Best ghost throughout this book is right here: crosseyed, 80s Hair "Metal" scenester, flamboyant dresser with no comprehension of personal space.

The Greedy Hag- Dramatic as all hell, but comes across to me as deeply hilarious in many aspects.

All in all, recommended for those willing to get involved heavily outside the useful box. ^Recommended for the reprints though, not the text.^

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an exceptionally good art book - a pity it retails for $990 on Amazon Australia (yes, that is correct!). Thankfully the State Library of Victoria has a copy on file (which someone has rudely ripped pages out of and they've had to fix with photocopies). Anyway, there are some great essays in here on Yokai and Japanese mythology, as well as expositions on artists like Hiroshige and Japanese spirituality. Very good.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of articles from various authors with a fair amount of decent illustrations, many in color. It's an OK art reference but not a keeper.

[Jake Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scholarly essays written for an art exhibition, more "reference" than "book". The pictures are between the essays, rather than on the individual pages that discuss them.

[Hannah Culbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book features beautiful artwork, mostly woodblock prints, from Japan depicting ghosts, demons and spirits from Japanese folklore. The writing is sort of essay-like, with each chapter by a different author. I loved seeing the artwork, but I wish the writing were more engaging and presented the folktales in a more interesting format than plot summaries. Not a bad starter book on Japanese mythology, though.

[Lanny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to meet in Tokyo an amazing traditional painter
who specializes in scenes dealing with Yokai and hungry ghosts.
I've got his catalog too but its not listed anywhere in English. This is as close as I've got to something like that.
This has a good deal of stuff on Shoki the demon slayer.
Its a fantastic catalogue.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added this book because I love looking through it and reading bits of ancient wisdom. I want to read more from it, and about Japanese culture.

[Jamie Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think they have every book ever on here.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to own this book now. definitely.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my favorites ever. love the fantastical supernatural images so creative is the human imagination