Bug-Eyed Guide: Japan’s Playful Yokai Take Center Stage

Contemporary Folk Spirits Bring Humor and Imagination to the Forefront

In the tranquil streets of Tonosho, Japan, a whimsical, bug-eyed creature adorns a building corner, guiding wandering visitors. This peculiar artwork, known as Michi-shirubei, embodies the evolving nature of yōkai, Japan’s traditional folk spirits, now embracing the playful and imaginative.

A Museum of Modern Yokai

The peculiar creation of artist Chubei Yagyu is just one of almost 900 artworks. These reside within the Yokai Art Museum on Shodoshima, an island in Kagawa Prefecture. Yagyu, who is also the museum’s director, orchestrates an open competition for original yōkai sculptures. Submissions pour in from both Japan and various countries worldwide, all displayed across the museum’s four exhibition spaces. Last year, these were published in the book, “Pop Yokai: Contemporary Character Art of Japan.”

“Aspects of daily life have long been imbued with spirits and gods to explain mysterious phenomena, and yōkai dwell within things that provoke fear and anxiety.”

—Masabu Kagawa, Folklorist, “Pop Yokai”

The global popularity of these charming figures is evident in the growing market for related merchandise; the industry is valued at over $1 billion annually (Statista 2024).

From Fearsome to Friendly

Historically, spirits and deities have long been intertwined with the interpretation of the mysterious. Yōkai, dwelling within the things that inspire fear, have a deep-rooted history. The aquatic, occasionally bloodthirsty kappa is one such spirit, alongside the intimidating jorōgumo, or woman spider. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), these entities, often called “bakemono” or monsters, were feared. However, as Masabu Kagawa notes, contemporary yōkai have transformed from dreadful monsters. They now encompass cute, humorous, and lighthearted creatures.