Grave-robbing rabbits, bum-fondling terrapins, killer cucumbers – it will be no surprise to learn that this roster of bizarre paranormal beings belongs to Japan. RICHARD FREEMAN introduces the Yokai, crazy ghosts and critters more monstrous than any Manga comic.

Japan has a folklore tradition unrivalled for its richness and strangeness. Collectively, the ghosts and monsters of Japan are known as Yokai. With a handful of exceptions, the amazing creatures and characters belonging to this supernatural menagerie are almost unknown in the west.

Yokai is really a catch-all term for any odd, unnatural, ghostly or monstrous being. They fall into a number of categories.

The Henge are shapeshifters. Unlike the western lycanthropes and other were-beasts, the Japanese Henge are usually animals that take on human form rather than vice versa (such inversions of western conventions are not uncommon in eastern lore). Henge can include foxes (Kitsune), raccoon dogs (Tanuki) and cats (Bake-neko); animals most of us would consider harmless. In Japanese legend all of these creatures can take on human form to spread chaos and misery.

Yuki-onna, the snow woman is one of the best known of all yokai, having being popularised by author Lafcadio Hearn. Yoki-onna is the most beautiful and sexually provocative: an inhumanly lovely woman with long, silky black hair and exquisitly pale skin.

The rest of this feature can be read in Paranormal issue 31

Other articles you may be interested in: