Yokai & Japanese folklore

A Bestiary of Yokai, Japanese Folklore, Mythology, Charms & Urban Legends! – Sticker Art Series by ©Samkalensky, Over 300 designs & counting!

•What are Yokai?•

“yōkai” (JP: 妖怪) are defined as “Supernatural monsters, spirits, demons & other phenomena from Japanese Folklore, Legends & Mythology.” – The term “yōkai” is often used as an umbrella covering all things that are mysterious, uncanny or eerie, to the generally unexplained, emotional, supernatural, paranormal, even divine phenomena! – The majority of yokai where originally illustrated during the Edo period (1603-1868) though many have oral roots going back much, much further. (to the 8th century!) – in old times, Yokai would also often times be used as a stand-in-explanation for natural phenomena which at the time would otherwise have been otherwise impossible to explain, or used as a way of scaring naughty children into behaving. – Yokai can be depicted as Horrific monsters or adorable creatures, sometimes even bringing good fortune to those that cross their paths! – In recent times: Modern day Cryptids, UMA as well as certain Urban Legends have come to be categorized under this umbrella!

• Hyakki Yagyō – (JP: 百鬼夜行) – “The Night Parade of 100 demons” is when all the Yokai parade through town causing mayhem, mischief and chaos. – it has been interpreted dozens of times over the ages, with well over 1000 years of history and dozens of ancient picture scrolls, emaki, books, etc.

My sticker & zine series was largely inspired by Toriyama Sekiens bestiary: Gazu hyakki yagyo; “The Night Parade of a Hundred Demons” (1776-1784) & other bestiaries like it. – I also cover yokai & folklore which where not included in those books as well. (PS: for more information about the subject check out my bibliography/recommended further reading here.) – My goal is to interpret as many yokai monsters as i can while having a fun time doing so, i hope you’ll enjoy & support my pandemonium and parade!