Rediscovering Yokai Culture
The “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons,” a proud part of Japan’s traditional culture with a long history, is a fantastical scene woven by yokai. This theme now breathes life into modern society through various forms such as anime, games, and local festivals. In exhibitions where the latest technology and art merge, classical works like the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Scroll” and “One Hundred Tales” are digitized, captivating viewers from a new perspective. The “Moving Yokai Exhibition,” held for the first time in Nagoya, offers a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in this mystical world through 3D modeling and video technology, allowing visitors to enjoy encounters with diverse yokai from across Japan.
Additionally, the Yokai Museum in the “Maze Town” of Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is sharing Japan’s unique yokai culture fused with contemporary art with the world. Through such initiatives, Japanese pop culture transcends borders, continually inspiring many people. These exhibitions play an important role beyond mere entertainment, deepening understanding and interest in Japanese culture.
Rediscovering Yokai Culture and Its Impact on Modern Times
Japanese yokai culture, with its long history, is being revived in new forms in modern times. It is particularly prominent in anime, games, and local festivals, captivating many people. This modern reinterpretation of yokai is gaining attention both domestically and internationally.
Yokai in Anime and Games
Anime and games are powerful media for spreading yokai culture. For example, “GeGeGe no Kitaro” by Shigeru Mizuki has been loved by many generations from the Showa to the Heisei era. This work depicts Japan’s unique yokai as unique and relatable characters, gaining a large fan base.
Moreover, the “Yo-kai Watch” series also became a big hit by featuring yokai from a modern perspective. In this work, yokai are depicted as mysterious beings lurking in everyday life, conveying their charm to a new generation. These works are popular not only in Japan but also overseas, increasing interest in Japanese culture.
Experiencing the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons at Local Festivals
Across Japan, the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” is recreated as a unique local festival. In these festivals, local residents dress in various costumes and parade through the streets. For example, at the “Tosa Sunday Market” in Kochi Prefecture, an event called “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” is held, gathering a wide variety of yokai. Such festivals are popular with tourists and serve as opportunities to engage with Japanese culture.
Additionally, exhibitions like the “Moving Yokai Exhibition” held in Nagoya offer opportunities to experience the traditional “One Hundred Tales” through cutting-edge technology. Immersive experiences using digital technology and 3D modeling leave an unforgettable impression once visited.
Creating New Value Through Immersive Experiences
In these exhibitions, the latest technology known as “immersive experiences” is utilized. This technology allows visitors to feel as if they have actually entered the world, not just as mere spectators. This experience, which can be felt with all five senses, leaves a deep impression and understanding on people.
It is also notable that many organizations and companies, such as the Nishio City Iwase Bunko Library and Shodoshima Healthy Land Co., Ltd., support these exhibitions and projects. You can learn about Japan’s unique artistry and historical background from different perspectives.
International Outreach Through Museums and Books
In Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, there is a Yokai Museum in the “Maze Town.” This museum showcases the fusion of Japan’s unique ghost culture and contemporary art. Additionally, the book “POP YOKAI Contemporary Character Art of Japan,” published from this location, has been released in France, spreading its charm beyond Japan.
Such international activities increase opportunities to deeply understand Japan’s unique entertainment and art both domestically and internationally. As a result, they contribute to promoting diverse exchanges.
From Past to Future—The Ever-Evolving Image of Yokai
Since the Meiji era, Japan’s unique ghosts, said to have declined due to Westernization policies, have changed their forms in the new century. However, their essential charm remains unchanged. While each has different backgrounds and meanings, they continue to play roles in human society, which can be said to be a factor in maintaining their universality. Today, efforts to preserve and protect these traditions are becoming more active.
In the current era, where there is a desire to connect and explore new possibilities while evolving in forms that intertwine internally and externally, it is recommended to consider touching on diversity to discover something new.
I Want to Know About the Modern Revival of Yokai Culture
The revival of yokai culture has been gaining attention in various forms in recent years. Especially in anime, games, and local festivals, traditional yokai are expressed in new forms, captivating many people. For example, the “Shigeru Mizuki’s Yokai Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Exhibition,” commemorating the 100th anniversary of Shigeru Mizuki’s birth, introduces how yokai were born and raised through his works. Additionally, at Toei Kyoto Studio Park in Kyoto, about 100 yokai parade as part of the “Uzumasa Night Parade of One Hundred Demons,” entertaining the audience.
What Events Can You See Yokai At?
Various events are held across Japan. The “Shigeru Mizuki’s Yokai Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Exhibition” was held at Tokyo City View. This exhibition introduces many yokai works by Shigeru Mizuki, along with their production background and influence. Also, “Ho Tzu Nyen’s Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” held at the Toyota Municipal Museum of Art became a topic of conversation. Similarly, at Toei Kyoto Studio Park in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, you can enjoy actually moving yokai as part of the “Uzumasa Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.”
Who is Shigeru Mizuki?
Shigeru Mizuki is a renowned Japanese manga artist, known to many for works like “GeGeGe no Kitaro.” He is also praised as a contributor to spreading the word “yokai.” In 2022, a large-scale exhibition, “Shigeru Mizuki’s Yokai Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Exhibition,” was held to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary. This exhibition introduced his well-loved works along with detailed insights into their creation process and influence.
Do They Also Appear in Anime and Games?
Yes. They are frequently featured in the anime and game industries. Not only in representative works like “GeGeGe no Kitaro,” but also in various other works with different styles and story settings. While each has its uniqueness, they are popular as mystical characters that have continued from ancient Japan.
Is There a Relationship with Local Festivals?
Yes, there is. In local festivals, you can see the fusion of traditional aspects and modern culture. Especially in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, the “Uzumasa Night Parade of One Hundred Demons” has become an annual event, where you can see about 100 real-time performances. Such festivals provide opportunities for both local residents and visitors to enjoy together.
Are There Any Other Recommended Related Events?
Aichi Triennale 2019: There is an installation work called “Hotel Aporia” by Ho Tzu Nyen. This project is based on information materials collected from all over Japan and was artified using new interpretation methods. There are various planned exhibitions and events both domestically and internationally, so why not take a look when you are nearby?
Modern Reinterpretation of Yokai Culture
Japan’s traditional yokai culture is being revived in modern times through anime, games, and local festivals. The “Moving Yokai Exhibition” held in Nagoya offered an immersive experience using the latest video technology and 3D modeling, allowing many visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons. Such exhibitions attractively recreate the diverse yokai passed down across Japan, deepening visitors’ understanding of Japanese culture from a new perspective.
Anime like “GeGeGe no Kitaro” and the “Yo-kai Watch” series have gained popularity across generations, with Japan’s unique yokai characters receiving high praise both domestically and internationally. These works have spread Japan’s unique ghost culture, creating new fan bases.
Additionally, the Yokai Museum in the “Maze Town” of Shodoshima showcases the fusion of Japan’s unique ghost culture and contemporary art. The book “POP YOKAI Contemporary Character Art of Japan,” published from here, has been released in France, recognizing its charm outside Japan. Through such international activities, interest and understanding of Japanese culture are further expanding, contributing to promoting diverse exchanges.
Through these efforts, the ever-evolving image of yokai from past to future continues to offer universal charm and new inspiration to people. It is expected that challenges toward new possibilities will continue while emphasizing diversity.