Bøker av Shoko Haruki

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 Conflicts

Absorb the invigorating energy that erupts from these ukiyo-e artists' works depicting the space between life and death!Ukiyo-e are paintings of the "floating world" of the Edo Period, in other words, the daily life of the time that is depicted in an exciting, satirical and at times joyful way. Because they were popular among common people, they are said to have laid the foundation of Japanese pop culture.This book is about two painters and their students, who are still highly regarded in the world of ukiyo-e: Kuniyoshi Utagawa, who gained popularity both in Japan and internationally as a "fantastical painter," and Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, who painted a harsh yet beautiful fantasy world, and even influenced modern manga with his at times frenzied depictions, along with the painters who were active in the Bakumatsu years at the end of the Edo period.Flashy, punk, mysterious and bursting with energy, ukiyo-e paintings fascinate not only fans of traditional Japanese culture both in Japan and overseas, but also serve as a source of inspiration for a range of creators around the world, including manga artists, illustrators, and tattoo artists who perceive the dynamic and subversive essence of these works.