YOKAI | Japanese Monster Art & Yumoto Koichi Collection

For centuries, Japan's supernatural creatures have occupied a world between fear, imagination, and folklore. From mysterious spirits and shapeshifting monsters to vengeful apparitions, yokai have inspired some of the most extraordinary imagery in Japanese art. YOKAI brings this fascinating visual heritage into focus through exceptional reproductions from one of Japan's most important collections of supernatural art.

Long before yokai became familiar characters in manga, anime, and popular culture, they appeared in paintings, illustrated books, and woodblock prints. These strange and often unsettling beings reflected the fears, beliefs, humor, and imagination of Japanese society, particularly during the Edo period (1603–1868).

YOKAI offers a remarkable opportunity to explore this artistic tradition through works selected from the Yumoto Koichi Collection, housed at the Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum (Miyoshi Mononoke Museum) in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Featuring more than 60 carefully selected works, reproduced in high resolution, this substantial volume reveals the extraordinary craftsmanship behind Japanese supernatural imagery. Enlarged details allow readers to examine brushwork, line, texture, expression, and composition in ways that are often difficult to appreciate in conventional reproductions.

A closer look at Japanese supernatural art

What makes this collection particularly valuable is the attention given to the original artworks. Rather than presenting yokai simply as fantastic creatures, the book invites readers to explore how Japanese artists imagined and depicted them.

Through detailed reproductions and accompanying explanations, the book reveals the expressive techniques, imaginative compositions, and visual storytelling that brought these supernatural figures to life.

Works by artists such as Tsukioka Yoshitoshi demonstrate the remarkable sophistication of Japanese printmaking and illustration. From delicate brushwork to dramatic expressions and elaborate scenes, every detail contributes to the atmosphere and identity of these mysterious beings.

With 512 pages, this is a substantial visual archive that rewards careful observation and repeated exploration.

About the Yumoto Koichi Collection

The Yumoto Koichi Collection contains more than 5,000 works dedicated to Japanese yokai and supernatural culture, making it one of the most significant collections of its kind.

Spanning several centuries, the collection encompasses paintings, illustrated scrolls, nishiki-e woodblock prints, textiles, metalwork, folk art, toys, and other objects that reveal how deeply supernatural beliefs have influenced Japanese visual culture.

The collection is preserved at the Yumoto Koichi Memorial Japan Yokai Museum in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, with selected works also presented through international exhibitions.

By bringing together carefully reproduced artworks from this extraordinary archive, YOKAI offers a rare opportunity to study the visual history of Japanese monsters, spirits, and folklore in exceptional detail.

Why this edition stands out

While many books introduce the stories and identities of Japanese yokai, this volume places particular emphasis on the artwork itself.

The large format, high-resolution reproductions, and detailed enlargements make it possible to examine the visual decisions behind these historical images—from expressive linework and intricate patterns to dramatic composition and atmosphere.

For anyone interested in Japanese art, folklore, illustration, printmaking, or the history of supernatural imagery, YOKAI offers a fascinating connection to the original works that helped shape Japan's enduring visual imagination.

Book details

• Title: YOKAI
• Collection: Yumoto Koichi Collection
• Binding: Softcover
• Language: English / Japanese
• Pages: 512
• Artwork: More than 60 selected works with high-resolution reproductions and enlarged details
• Size: 21 × 30.4 × 4.4 cm (8.27 × 11.97 × 1.73 in)