“A Guide to Japan’s Supernatural World”
A Guide to Japan’s Supernatural World is a visual and cultural guide to Japan’s unique concept of the “ikay,” an unseen realm that exists alongside everyday life. The book explores how this Otherworld is embedded in Japan’s landscapes, traditions, and stories through four chapters: Spaces, Objects & Daily Life, Events, and Traditional Performing Arts.
Sacred mountains, shrines, bridges, crossroads, and water sites are presented as gateways to the unseen. Folk beliefs, taboos, seasonal events like New Year and Obon, and classical arts such as Noh and Bunraku reveal how the Otherworld shaped Japanese culture.
The book also reinterprets famous tales—Urashima Tarō, Momotarō, Shuten-dōji, Kaguya-hime—as journeys between realms, and includes a nationwide map of regional legends.
Rich illustrations and concise explanations make this an accessible introduction for global readers fascinated by mythology, folklore, and Japanese cultural history.
Who Will Read This Book?
Fans of Japanese culture／Yokai enthusiasts／People interested in other worlds／Researchers and students
Key Selling Points
- A comprehensive visual guide to Japan’s “Otherworld” beyond yokai
- A unique framework that organizes Japan’s supernatural world into four clear categories
- Reinterpretations of beloved folktales through the lens of mythology and anthropology
- High visual appeal through illustrations and maps
- Traditional Chinese edition (Taiwan), Porland edition: SOLD!
Benefits for Publishers
Strong fit for the global folklore/mythology boom with a uniquely Japanese angle.
Author: Itsuki Asazato (Editor)
Itsuki Asazato is a writer who studies yōkai (mythical demons) and the supernatural. Born in Hokkaido in 1990, he graduated from Hosei University in 2014 with a degree in Japanese literature. Today, he conducts research on yōkai and the supernatural as an independent scholar while working as a government employee. Author of multiple works.
Infomation
148×210mm
192pages
ISBN：9784906993987
Rights sold
Taiwan
Poland
If you are interested, please contact us. We will send you a sample PDF.