Need some books on Japanese ghosts and monsters?

flashbackjuice · Post by **flashbackjuice** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:26 am

If you're creating a scenario and need some inspiration on Japanese ghosts and beasties, here are two books I can recommend:

Yokai Attack! - for traditional Japanese beasties

Yurei Attack! - for traditional Japanese spirits and ghosts

These books are written by a husband and wife team living in Japan, and are written as a survival guide to encountering these creatures. You will find some really unique stuff here, and although it isn't in-depth it's a great introduction.

If people are interested, I can do some link hunting for other Japanese beasties and spirits and post them here in the future. Or, if you have some links and resources on Japanese monsters please do share!

Also, admins: if this is in the wrong place by all means move the topic!

Keeper Jon · Post by **Keeper Jon** » Fri Mar 07, 2014 4:31 am

This is amazing! Please post more info on Japanese legends and lore, and even urban legends.

And no worries, you're in the right place.

flashbackjuice · Post by **flashbackjuice** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:54 am

Keeper Jon wrote:This is amazing! Please post more info on Japanese legends and lore, and even urban legends.

And no worries, you're in the right place.

Thanks! And will do!

Here are some articles from Tofugu: a general Japanese language and culture site, but they have some great articles on Japanese ghosts and ubran legends that you can insert into your scenarios:

http://www.tofugu.com/2012/10/25/ghosts ... -altjapan/ - Interview with the authors of the book I mentioned in the previous post. Notes some good general differences between western and eastern conceptions of ghosts.

http://www.tofugu.com/2013/08/29/summer ... st-season/ - Information on Obon, or the summer festival of the dead, as well as highlights the types of ghosts and the Buddhist influence on ghosts and ghost stories in Japan.

http://www.tofugu.com/2013/08/22/the-re ... e-reality/ - Information on the Redroom - a Japanese urban legend involving an internet pop-up that prophecies your death.

Will post more here when I find them!

Umbrage · Post by **Umbrage** » Wed Jul 23, 2014 4:22 pm

Another good resource for Japanese folklore inspired ideas: Kwaidan by Lafcadio Hearn (conveniently in the public domain, link is to Project Gutenberg entry.