CLASSIC FILMS INVOLVING YOKAI
Kwaidan (1965)
Director Masaki Kobayashi masterfully adapts several horror stories from Lafcadio Hearn’s book Kwaidan in this big-screen omnibus. A must-see classic of Japanese horror filmmaking.
Available on DVD from the Criterion Collection.
Yokai Monsters: 100 Monsters (1968)
A silly Edo-era period piece featuring several yokai, most notably the snake-necked Rokuro Kubi (p. 142) and a stunningly groovy animated sequence with Kara-kasa (p. 110).
Available on DVD from ADV Films.
Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare (1968)
His resting place disturbed by treasure hunters, a vampire-like monster from ancient Babylon comes to Japan, sending the local yokai into a tizzy. Campy, borderline-insane fun for the whole family.
Available on DVD from ADV Films.
Pom Poko (1994)
A playful yet thought-provoking film about a clan of Tanuki (see p. 126) whose ancestral home is threatened by suburban sprawl. Beautifully animated by Studio Ghibli. Your chance to see shape-shifting Tanuki in action!
Available on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
Shinsei Toire no Hanako-san (1998)
Available on DVD for ¥3990 from Pony Canyon.
Spirited Away (2001)
Although never explicitly referred to as “yokai,” many strange mythological creatures populate this exquisitely animated film by director Hayao Miyazaki. Winner of numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Animated Feature of 2003.
Available on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.
Kibakichi (2004)
When a wandering samurai encounters a desolate village populated by yokai posing as yakuza gangsters, mind-bending violence ensues. Directed by Tomoo Haraguchi, based on a comic by Takao Shimamoto and Tatsuya Morino. The same Morino who illustrated this very book!
Available on DVD from Saiko Films and MTI.
The Great Yokai War (2005)
Co-starring Chiaki Kuriyama of Kill Bill fame, this represents J-Horror maestro Takashi Miike’s first foray into kids’ filmmaking. Features legions of yokai. Watch carefully and you might even catch the authors of this book in the crowd!
Available on DVD from Tokyo Shock.
Death Kappa (2011)
A kappa grows Godzilla-sized after being exposed to radiation. Bonus: Hiroko and Matt appear in a brief cameo in the "command center!"
Available on DVD from Sushi Typhoon.
SUGGESTED ONLINE RESOURCES
English-Language
Yokai Facebook group
http://www.facebook.com/YokaiAttackAndYureiAttack
The Obakemono Project
The AltJapan Blog
Japanese-Language
怪異・妖怪伝承データベース
(Strange Phenomenon and Yokai Legend Database)
http://www.nichibun.ac.jp/YoukaiDB/
妖怪ストリート
Yokai Street
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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