Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons & Yokai in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces

For artists, collectors, and anyone building a deeper Japanese visual vocabulary, Something Wicked from Japan is more than a catalogue of folklore. It is a serious reference for studying how ghosts, demons, shapeshifters, and yokai were made visually unforgettable in Edo-period ukiyo-e.

Presented in Japanese and English, the book introduces 70 supernatural beings from Japanese folklore, each paired with a concise text and supported by 120 ukiyo-e prints from the Edo period (1603–1868).

Rather than offering imagery to copy, Something Wicked from Japan rewards close study. It gives readers the chance to look at how these figures are constructed visually—through gesture, silhouette, expression, costume, masks, movement, and narrative tension.

Featuring works by Hokusai, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, and other legendary ukiyo-e artists, this title is especially useful if you want to:

• study character-driven Japanese imagery through faces, creatures, masks, and dramatic scenes
• build a stronger visual vocabulary for tattooing, illustration, and design
• understand how classic Japanese folklore continues to shape modern visual culture, from tattooing to manga and games

Something Wicked from Japan is a rich bridge between folklore, ukiyo-e, and the visual language that still inspires artists today.

Book details

• Title: Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons & Yokai in Ukiyo-e Masterpieces
• Binding: Softcover
• Language: Japanese / English
• Pages: 240
• Size: 182 × 228 mm