Mysteries! Not human, not animal, not ghost, but "Yokai."

Scary-looking Yokai may actually be kind or lonely.

Ghosts and aliens are well known as beings beyond human comprehension. In addition, there are legends of mysterious things called "Yokai" in Japan.

Recently, computer graphics technology has made it possible to create realistic images of Yokai fantasies.

They are purported to be born from human psychology, such as fear and anxiety, and although there are too many to count, there are many "local Yokai" that are limited to a region. Let us introduce a few well-known Yokai.

KAPPA

It has green skin, a shell on its back, a round dish on its head, and a beak-like mouth. It is said that when the dish runs out of water, it loses power.

KARAJASA-OBAKE

Characterized by its huge eyes, geta, and long tongue, it is said to have been transformed into a specter out of resentment over an abandoned Japanese umbrella.

ZASHIKI-WARASHI

A spirit-like Yokai that takes the form of a child and lives in mansions, tatami rooms, and storehouses. They play pranks and play with human children. It is said to bring happiness to the house if it is treated with care.

Amabie, with its bird-like beak, is a Yokai that originated in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. It became a topic of conversation during the Corona disaster because of its ability to contain the plague. The illustrations have a variety of touches.

 

Yokai have been loved so much that they have been the subject of manga and anime many times. Many of them are loved around the world, including the manga "Gegege no Kitaro ®️" and the anime "Yokai Watch®️." Although their strange appearance may frighten people, surprisingly few Yokai seem to do bad things to people.