Traveling exhibition “Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan”

Traveling Exhibition
Yokai Parade : Supernatural Monsters from Japan


	BANGKOK
	[Duration]	Sat 15 June – Sun 28 July 2024 \| 10.30 – 19.00 (Closed on Mondays)
	[Total admission]	13,124 people
	[Venue]	TCDC Bangkok, Gallery FL 1 The Grand Postal Building, 1160 Charoenkrung Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
	KHON KAEN
	[Duration]	Wed 7 August – Sun 8 September 2024 \| 10.30 – 19.00 (Closed on Mondays)
	[Total admission]	2,562 people
	[Venue]	TCDC Khon Kaen, Gallery FL 1 123 Mitrapab Rd., Amphoe Muang Khon Kaen, Khon Kaen 40002

The Japan Foundation, Bangkok, in collaboration with The Creative Economy Agency (CEA), were pleased to co-organize the traveling exhibition “Yokai Parade : Supernatural Monsters from Japan.” Curated by Yumoto Koichi (Director Emeritus of the Yumoto Koichi Memorial, JAPAN YOKAI MUSEUM [Miyoshi Mononoke Museum]), this immersive exhibition showcases Japan’s fascinating yokai culture. Yokai are Japanese folkloric imaginary monsters that have captivated people’s imaginations for centuries as have been depicted through a diverse range of media including picture scrolls, nishiki-e (multicolored Japanese woodblock prints), toys, and films.

*Five* Yokai *Monsters Picture Scroll*
Edo period
Handscroll

Yokai has long been a part of Japanese folklore tales, embodying supernatural powers that invoke senses of mystery, surprise and fear. As new science and technology have tremendouly brought changes to people’s lives, however, these creatures have gradually evolved from objects of fear to charming and friendly beings. Nowadays, the popularization of yokai is vivid and palpable and undebiably continue being an endearing part of Japanese culture for not only Japanese people but all walks of life around the world.

This exhibition invited everyone to experience as to how Japanese culture through yokai has transcended borders, captivating audiences worldwide with their timeless allure. Far from relics of the past, these supernatural monsters attested their presence to resonate in contemporary Japan, reflecting multitudinal aspects of Japanese people, their beliefs, and social changes rooted under the veil of economic and social development. Whether being a seasoned fan of Japanese folklore or simply intrigued by yokai or not, “Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan” promised an unforgettable journey into the heart of Japan’s rich cultural heritage through these appealing legendary creatures.

The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Picture Scroll
Edo period/2020
Handscroll (replica)

The exhibition is divided into four main sections, including

Section 1: The Spectacular World of Yokai Picture Scrolls: This section features various elaborate yokai picture scrolls in Edo period. The highlight one is the famous Hyakki Yagyo Emaki (picture scroll of the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons) which continues attracting people’s interest around the world. Also, a variety of works, ranging from playfully humurous ones depecting yokai as if they were human to illustrated reference books detailing each yokai, will be on display to showcase the vast popularity of yokai picture scrolls.

Attack on the Tsuchigumo Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Edo period

Section 2: The Richly Colorful World of Yokai: This part will explore the impact of development of colorful woodblock printing on yokai culture which in turn made the reproduction of yokai works more accesible, affordable and familiar for the public. Particularly, multicolored nishiki-e led to the rise of demand with more diversified contents, propelling yokai to a new stage of familiarization with people.

Section 3: Yokai and Games: As yokai was brought closer to people’s daily life thanks to the soaring popularity of yokai in publication, people became less afraid of yokai and even developed senses of closeness and affection for them. This section will reveal the birth of amicable and almost friendly looking yokai being depicted in numerous traditional Japanese games and toys.

New Playful Monster Collection,
Hasegawa Konobu, Edo period or later/ 2020

Amabiko
Edo period/2020
Drawing on paper (replica)

Section 4: Yokai Passed Down to Present Day: During Meiji period, yokai became an academic discipline as Inoue Enryo, a buddhist philosopher, established “yokai studies” and Yanagita Kunio, a folklore scholar, approached yokai with further research of Japanese people’ thoughts with the natural environment behind yokai creation. Although yokai culture was temporarily suppressed during the war, this last section will focus on their momentum of popularity as can be seen in various non-scary paraphernalia and appearances in manga, anime and games across generations in Japan and their dissemination to other countries.

We hope this exhibition will provide a great opportunity for visitors to delve into the yokai culture and gain insight of their valid presence and undeniable connection as well as impacts on Japanese art, culture, and society through the ages.

PR photos
Section 1: The Spectacular World of Yokai Picture Scrolls