Primary Sources

Core texts referenced across entries on this site.

• Gazu Hyakki Yagyō

  Toriyama Sekien（1776）

  The definitive Edo-period yokai picture book; source of many canonical images.

• Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki

  Toriyama Sekien（1779）

  Sequel to the above; includes gashadokuro and many other creatures.

• Konjaku Monogatarishū

  Unknown（c. 1120）

  Late Heian tale collection rich in fox, tengu, and supernatural lore.

• Uji Shūi Monogatari

  Unknown（c. 1221）

  Kamakura-period tale collection including various transformation stories.

• Tsurezuregusa

  Yoshida Kenkō（c. 1330）

  Contains one of the earliest nekomata references.

• Otogi-zōshi

  Various authors（Muromachi–Edo period）

  Short tale collection featuring yamamba, oni, and other figures.

• Shokoku Hyaku Monogatari

  Unknown（1677）

  Edo-period ghost story anthology including jorō-gumo legends.

• Wakan Sansai Zue

  Terajima Ryōan（1712）

  Encyclopedic compendium with descriptions of baku and other Chinese-origin creatures.

• Hokuetsu Seppu

  Suzuki Bokushi（1837）

  Records of Echigo customs and nature, including an umi-bōzu sighting.

• Tōno Monogatari

  Kunio Yanagita（1910）

  Foundational folklore collection from Tōno, Iwate; detailed kappa and zashiki-warashi records.

• Kwaidan

  Lafcadio Hearn（1904）

  English-language collection of Japanese ghost stories including yuki-onna and rokurokubi.