Yōkai 101: Exploring the Thrill of Japanese Folklore

Due to popular demand, “Yōkai 101: Exploring the Thrill of Japanese Folklore” is back – and right after Obon season! Join us on Zoom for our special (and spooky) event on August 17 (US) / August 18 (Japan) about yōkai, supernatural entities and spirits that appear in many Japanese tales. Yōkaiplay an important role in modern Japan. Not only do they appear in folklore narratives told to children, but they also pop up in video games, manga, and anime. They are also on television in the U.S., like in the video game series Yo-kai Watch.

Our yōkai experts speaking at the event include Matt Alt and Hiroko Yoda, who co-authored Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guideand translated Japandemonium Illustrated. Matthew Meyer, a popular yōkai artist based in Japan, will also join the conversation. Meyer created yokai.com, a database of Japanese ghosts and monsters, and recently published The Fox’s Wedding, the newest volume in his yōkaiencyclopedia series. Patrick Macias, editor-in-chief of Otaku USA, will moderate the discussion, bringing his knowledge of pop culture fandom related to Japanese culture and otakuculture in America.

This is a great opportunity to learn about Japanese folklore, its traditional roots, and how both still play a role in Japan today!

Agenda:  5:00 PM (PDT) / 9:00 AM (JST): Welcome | Kendra De Nike, Japan Society of Northern California  5:03 PM / 9:03AM: Opening Remark | Moderator Patrick Macias, Journalist, Editor in Chief, Otaku USA magazine 5:06 PM / 9:06 AM: Matthew Meyer | Yokai Illustrator and Folklorist  5:13 PM / 9:13 AM: Hiroko Yoda, President of AltJapan Co., Ltd., & Matt Alt, Tokyo-Based Journalist and Localizer  5:30 PM / 9:30 PM: Story time… | HirokoYoko, Matthew Meyer and Matt Alt  5:40 PM / 5:50 PM: Fireside chat | Patrick Macias  5:50 PM / 9:50 PM: Q&A  6:05 PM / 10:05 PM: Closing Remarks | Takahide Akiyama, President, Japan Society of Northern California

Zoom link will be sent after you register