Japanese Art of Extraordinary Beings: A Genealogy of Dark Fantasy

Demons, sorcerers, ninjas……explaining the origins of Japan’s dark heroes from the perspective of Japanese art.In many ”dark fantasy” manga and anime, which are hugely popular today, characters use extraordinary abilities to carve out their destiny.In Japanese art, too, characters who can be seen as prototypes of those manga and anime characters with extraordinary abilities, such as sorcerers or samurai who control magical beasts, have often been depicted. There are also works here and there, such as giants who slay demons and eat humans, or people whose hands stretch, that are reminiscent of world famous artworks. This timeless collection focuses mainly on creatures with ”extraordinary abilities” who appear in ghost stories and legends from the Edo period and explains the current trends behind anime and manga.Chapter I: Lineage of Figures with Supernatural AbilitiesThe Gathering and Revelry of Supernatural Figures; Arhats, Immortal Hermits, Sorcerers, Japanese Mythological DeitiesChapter II: Astounding Physical PerformancesShape-shifting and Extraordinary Mobility of Beings, Falling between Humans and Non-humansChapter III: Threatening Natural PhenomenaDisastrous Destructibility of Fire, Water, Wind, Thunder, LightChapter IV: Concert of BeastsTerrifying yet Dependable Companions; Fierce, Mythical, Divine and Supernatural BeastsChapter V: Profusion of Supernatural BeingsEmbodiments of Human Desires of Flight, Cloning Selves, Curses, EnchantmentChapter VI: Fantastical BattlesOverflow of Life and Imagination; Demon-slaying, Dragon-slaying, Sorcerers’ Duels, Grand ConflictsRead less