Face To Face

Yokai, From Folklore to the Future

Japanese folklore is full of Yokai, legendary monsters and spirits known feared for their ability to cause inexplicable phenomena. Today, however, they've come to be seen in a different light, and are often featured in popular anime and manga. Komatsu Kazuhiko, a folklore researcher who has been studying Yokai for more than 40 years, believes they provide an insight into Japanese culture and society. He joins us for an in-depth talk on the past, present and future of Yokai.