In
the Edo period, yokai culture developed as an amusement. Illustrated reference
book of yokai, Gazu hyakki yako was
published, and name and picture of yokai were drawn in each page. This book influenced on illustrations of horror novels in this period. Visual images of
yokai spread people because of this book, and people came to enjoy them. Moreover,
many artists portrayed yokai and hyakki yako as a theme on Ukiyo-e (colored woodblock
print) and Emaki (horizontal picture scroll). Hyakki yako is a procession of
yokai in midnight. Moreover, game board which yokai is drawn was made and
popular among children. Furthermore, yokai stories and drama based on folklore of
yokai were in vogue.
In
this post, I hope you will learn Japanese popular culture in the Edo period. I
think the portrayal of yokai in those days is aesthetic and interesting. The Edo
period shows a lot of popular culture of yokai, so this post can be help of the
understanding of Japanese popular culture.
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Reference:
Sasaki, Takahiro. Kaii no Huukeigaku.
Tokyo: Kokonshoin, 2014.
Yokai Wonderland. Tezukayama
University. 2007. 10 Dec 2015.
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