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.
A farmer in old Japan prays to the gods for a wife, someone who is kind, beautiful, and hardworking. What would be even better is if she didn’t eat at all, saving him both money and food. Imagine his surprise when just such a woman shows up at his house one night.
But all is not perfect. The gods have quite the sense of humor, and the farmer soon learns what kind of monster he is living with. But is it too late?
“The Wife Who Didn’t Eat” is author Thersa Matsuura’s retelling of a classic horror-tinged Japanese folktale, “Kwazu Nyobo”. Here she reads her version of the story followed by a short commentary with some of her research notes and thoughts on the tale.
Both the short story and commentary come in at just under one hour.
Thersa Matsuura is a published author of two short story collections, one nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. You can also find her on her podcast, Uncanny Japan, where she talks more about the more obscure parts of Japanese culture.
Reviews:
“Very soothing, educational and entertaining. Love this deep dive into Japanese culture. Not to mention just the right amount of Spooky.”
By Spooks76
“High production value and haunting storytelling helps shed light onto Japanese folklore. Teresa is clear, concise and highlights stories that might otherwise never be heard by Western ears. Highly recommend!”
By Jameswhojamesyu
