Strange Light Afar: Tales of the Supernatural from Old Japan retold by Rui Umezawa and Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons and Yokai in Ukiyo-e

Here is the overture to Handel's Messiah.  I thought maybe we could listen to this Oratorio over the next few weeks, if any of you feel so inclined.

Guess who got a new little monster?  Me.  After the tragic loss of Cosmo, I was granted a second chance.  We went to the store to get fish but instead left with this little blue blizzard.  Say hello to Sophie Grace.  I couldn't come up with a female detective whose name I liked and Sophie fits her spunky nature and Grace...well, she's a Quaker...get it?

Strange Light Afar: Tales of the Supernatural from Old Japan by Rui Umezawa

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Strange Light Afar is a collection of traditional Japanese folktales of the supernatural retold by Rui Umezawa. It was a good companion to the Ukiyo-e art book I have, which I will also review. Ukiyo-e are Japanese paintings by master artists dealing with ghosts, demons and Yokai (supernatural monsters) as their subjects. I had read the art book first so when I recognized certain folk tales in this book I went back to my art book to see the painting illustrating the same story. Many of these stories were performed as Kabuki (classical Japanese drama). The paintings often illustrate the real life actors who portrayed the different characters

There are eight stories in this collection that deal with greed, murder, friendship that lasts beyond the grave; beautiful, bewitching supernatural women; while showing the everyday culture of the Japanese people from peasants to royalty throughout the history of Japan.

While I found Mr. Umezawa's writing style a bit clunky, almost juvenile, (of course he's translating so I shouldn't judge too harshly), I did like how he retold all of these stories from the third person limited or first person. What made this effective was how so many of the narrators, especially the ones talking in first person were not aware of their character flaws, but clearly reveal it to the reader by their words and actions. This was a clever way of allowing us to study the psychology of people who truly cannot see how brutal or self-absorbed they are, but can only perceive how they are treated.

And it is quite subtle. One character is truly evil and ruthless, but can only see himself as the victim. Another is impressed with how "good" and "loving" he is without realizing that his motives are selfish and even cruel.

All of these stories are sad. They are about broken hearts, betrayed trust, or the abused and even murdered. Evil abounds in these stories, but so does a strong justice that is meted out to the evil doer.

Finally, each chapter has an illustration of the story by artist Mikiko Fujita
Those interested in traditional Japanese culture and a better understanding of Ukioy-e will enjoy this collection of stories.



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Something Wicked from Japan: Ghosts, Demons & Yokai in Ukiyo-E Masterpieces by Ei Nakau

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was such a delightful book. All of you who like paintings of the supernatural and are interested in the Japanese concept of things that go bump in the night, will enjoy this collection of traditional Japanese art about, well, ghosts, demons and yokai (supernatural monsters).

The book is not coffee table size, more 8' by 10', but all the paintings are in color and have both full and detailed views. Also, each painting is accompanied by an explanation of the story depicted and the Kabuki actor who is painted in as the character.

The subject matter is scary, exciting, and suspenseful. The paintings are dramatic with rich color and highly expressive postures and facial expressions.

Something Wicked will intrigue and spark your interest the stories behind these paintings and perhaps have you looking for books on Japanese folk lore.



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