Hishigaki, the Hitotsume-Nyūdō Youkai

A new installment in the Sunday series – this week focusing on Hishigaki from Natsume’s Book of Friends.

This series will explore yokai, their history, and prevalence in a series. Japan is a land where spirituality is prized over religion, and Shintoism is viewed more like tradition than a bind. The tradition of visiting temples on the New Year, adding yuzu fruit to baths during the Winter Solstice, Jizo statues and local shrines are so old that no one remembers its origin story.

See our previous posts on Nyanko Sensei, the Maneki-Neko, Madara, the Okuri-Inu

Continue reading “Hishigaki, the Hitotsume-Nyūdō Youkai”

Madara, the Okuri-Inu Youkai

A new installment in the Sunday series – this week focusing on Madara from Natsume’s Book of Friends.

This series will explore yokai, their history, and prevalence in a series. Japan is a land where spirituality is prized over religion, and Shintoism is viewed more as tradition than a bind. The tradition of visiting temples on the New Year, adding yuzu fruit to baths during the Winter Solstice, Jizo statues and local shrines are so old that no one remembers its origin story.

See our previous post on Nyanko Sensei, the Maneki-Neko.

Continue reading “Madara, the Okuri-Inu Youkai”

Nyanko-sensei, the Maneki-Neko Youkai

Kicking off the #YokaiSpiritSunday series on the official first day of fall, today we will take a look at Nyanko Sensei from Natsume’s Book of Friends!

Of late I’ve found myself writing a lot about yokai, or Japanese spirits. I have always had an interest in them, and read books pertaining to all types of ghosts and supernatural phenomena.

Continue reading “Nyanko-sensei, the Maneki-Neko Youkai”

Would A Yokai Turn You Into A Tree? – Gegege no Kitarou First Impressions

This is a First Impressions review of the 2018 GeGeGe no Kitaro remake.

Gegege no Kitarou (ゲゲゲの鬼太郎 ), or Kitaro of the Graveyard is a 2018 anime based on the 1960s manga series created by Mizuki Shigeru. The opening song has a very old-timey feeling to it, reminding me a lot of an episode of Mushishi.

Continue reading “Would A Yokai Turn You Into A Tree? – Gegege no Kitarou First Impressions”

Natsume Yuujinchou Utsusemi ni Musubu Movie News

We are getting more Natsume Yuujinchou this year!

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