Yokai scrolls

The Japanese word "yokai" (妖怪) broadly means "supernatural or unaccountable phenomena”, but is more typically used to describe various supernatural or magical creatures from Japanese folklore.

Below are a few picture scrolls, or emaki, featuring yokai. All were painted some time during roughly the 16th to 19th centuries. Click on the thumbnails to view full images.

A repeated theme in yokai emaki is the Hyakki Yako (百鬼夜行), or “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.” Common in these scrolls are Tsukumogami (付喪神). According to Japanese folklore, any item that has reached 100 years of age may come to life, and if they have been abandoned or mistreated, may seek revenge against humans.


Ooishi Hyoroku Monogatari,

smaller right half only left half only

Bakemono Zukushi



"Hell Scroll" This emaki features various forms of sexual torture in Buddhist Hell, overwatched by it's ruler, Enma




Yoshimitsu Hyakki no Zu, right half
smaller


Yoshimitsu Hyakki no Zu, left half
smaller


Hyakki Yako, right half



Hyakki Yako, left half



Hyakki Yako no Zu draft This scroll contains another version of Hyakki Yako no Zu by Tosa Mitsuoki-- it appears to be a draft with annotations.


full scroll


right half


left half


Tsuchigumo Zoshi This scroll chronicles adventures of Minamoto no Yorimitsu, ending in the slaying of the Tsuchigumo.





"Yokai Marriage" This scroll depicts a yokai marriage, starting with the betrothal between the two families and ultimately leading to a new baby yokai. The scroll has been split into three segments.
As with all the scrolls, they are to be viewed from right to left.

right section


middle section


left section



resources and references

Obakemono.com

Man Made Objects as Demons in Japanese Scrolls

Japanese Folk Tales by Yanagita Kunio

the source for many of my scrolls, plus more

Also, several older Japanese folklore and mythology references are available on Google Books. Try some key-word searches.