Jinmenzoshi - 人面草紙のじんめん - [Yokai]

•About This Yokai•

Jinmen Zoshi - "人面草紙のじんめん"

The happy go lucky residents of "Edo City" they dance, play and eat a lot of Dango. 🍡

•History & Early Appearances•

"Jinmen Zoshi" or "The Book of Human Faces" is a one of a kind: hand drawn, ancient manga, written & drawn sometime in 1827! - The exact origin of the book is a mystery, and very little is actually known about the exact origins of these odd characters. 

All of the characters in said book have the same silly dumpling shaped face, is supposed to be cute (and it is!) ...But at times... it also winds up giving a bit of an uncanny valley, eerie feeling at times. (Which really isn't helped by the fact that sometimes normal humans appear along side them, and other Yokai too!

[Apparently the Jinmen can also become Yokai: to name a few: Rokurokubi, Tofu kozo & even Oni!] - There is no strict narrative or even real plot to the book, and it feels like "slice of life" illustrations or like a diary of sorts. (personally, it reminds me a bit of a Richard Scary's "BusyTown" books) – One things for certain though: We should all eat some Dango and live to the fullest!! 🍡

[One can check out said Ancient manga, fully scanned & partially translated in the @mononoke_museums "YOKAI STORYLAND Book."]

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Night parade of 100 Demons - Yokai & Japanese folklore sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!