THE BOOK OF JAPANESE FOLKLORE: An Encyclopedia of the Spirits, Monsters, and Yokai of Japanese Myth: The Stories of the Mischievous Kappa, Trickster … More (World Mythology and Folklore Series), by Thersa Matsuura and Michelle Wang, Adams Media, April 30, 2024, Hardcover, $16.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)
Learn about legendary spirits, creatures, and figures in The Book of Japanese Folklore, by Thersa Matsuura and Michelle Wang.
Welcome to The Book of Japanese Folklore: a 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. —Synopsis provided by Adams Media
The cover alone of The Book of Japanese Folklore makes you want to pick it up. It foretells of tales and creatures to come, setting the stage for a fascinating read.
The Book of Japanese Folklore features more than 40 different characters. Author Thersa Matsuura provides and introduction and a section on Japanese culture and folklore, including origins and terminology, overlapping stories and common sources.
Matsuura details each creature with an overview, background and popular stories, and roles the creature plays in modern stories. Most also feature a full-color illustration.
This is not the type of book that many will read cover-to-cover. Rather, most will probably skip around reading what interests them. The Book of Japanese Folklore will appeal to those curious about Japanese culture.
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