Japanese horror (also known as J-horror) is horror fiction arising
from popular culture in Japan, generally noted for its unique thematic
and conventional treatment of the horror genre differing from the
traditional Western representation of horror. Mediums in which
Japanese horror fiction is showcased include literature, anime and
film, video games, and artwork. Japanese horror tends to focus on
psychological horror, tension building (suspense), and supernatural
horror, particularly involving ghosts (yūrei) and poltergeists. Other
Japanese horror fiction contains themes of folk religion such as
possession, exorcism, shamanism, precognition, and yÅ kai.The origins
of Japanese horror can be traced back to the ghost story and horror
classics of the Edo period and the Meiji period, which were known as
Kaidan, literally translated to strange story. Elements of these
popular folktales have been worked into the stories of modern films,
especially in the traditional nature of the Japanese ghost and YÅ kai.
The term YÅ kai was first used to refer to any supernatural phenomenon
and was brought to common use by the Meiji period scholar Inoue Enryo.
Later, the term YÅ kai evolved to refer to vengeful states Shinto Gods
would morph into when disrespected or neglected by people living
around their shrines. Over time, Shinto Gods were not the only ones
able to morph into YÅ kai, but this ability to transform came to be
applied to all beings who have an untamed energy surrounding them,
referred to as Mononoke.Throughout time, Kaidan has come to refer to
early ghost stories in Japanese literature, dating back to at least
the Heian period (794â€"1185). Kaidan stories became popular in Japan
during this period after the invention of printing technologies,
allowing the spread of the written stories. Notable early Kaidan
stories include Otogi Boko by Asai Ryoi, Inga Monogatari by Suzuki
Shojo, and Otogi Monogatari by Ogita Ansei.Kabuki and Noh, forms of
traditional Japanese theater, often depict horror tales of revenge and
ghastly appearances. One difference between these two forms of theater
is Noh is formal and targeted for upperclassmen while Kabuki is
interactive and seen as "the theater of the people." The subject
matter often portrayed in original Noh theater include vengeful
spirits, demon plays, stories of death, and others. Many of the
storylines of these traditional plays have inspired modern horror
depictions, and these stories have been used as source material for
Japanese horror films. In fact, Kabuki was a major subject of early
Japanese films, and Kabuki gradually was woven into the framework of
the modern horror films seen today. For example, the physical
description of Sadako in Koji Suzuki's Ring is taken from what was
seen in Noh and Kabuki theater performances.
from popular culture in Japan, generally noted for its unique thematic
and conventional treatment of the horror genre differing from the
traditional Western representation of horror. Mediums in which
Japanese horror fiction is showcased include literature, anime and
film, video games, and artwork. Japanese horror tends to focus on
psychological horror, tension building (suspense), and supernatural
horror, particularly involving ghosts (yūrei) and poltergeists. Other
Japanese horror fiction contains themes of folk religion such as
possession, exorcism, shamanism, precognition, and yÅ kai.The origins
of Japanese horror can be traced back to the ghost story and horror
classics of the Edo period and the Meiji period, which were known as
Kaidan, literally translated to strange story. Elements of these
popular folktales have been worked into the stories of modern films,
especially in the traditional nature of the Japanese ghost and YÅ kai.
The term YÅ kai was first used to refer to any supernatural phenomenon
and was brought to common use by the Meiji period scholar Inoue Enryo.
Later, the term YÅ kai evolved to refer to vengeful states Shinto Gods
would morph into when disrespected or neglected by people living
around their shrines. Over time, Shinto Gods were not the only ones
able to morph into YÅ kai, but this ability to transform came to be
applied to all beings who have an untamed energy surrounding them,
referred to as Mononoke.Throughout time, Kaidan has come to refer to
early ghost stories in Japanese literature, dating back to at least
the Heian period (794â€"1185). Kaidan stories became popular in Japan
during this period after the invention of printing technologies,
allowing the spread of the written stories. Notable early Kaidan
stories include Otogi Boko by Asai Ryoi, Inga Monogatari by Suzuki
Shojo, and Otogi Monogatari by Ogita Ansei.Kabuki and Noh, forms of
traditional Japanese theater, often depict horror tales of revenge and
ghastly appearances. One difference between these two forms of theater
is Noh is formal and targeted for upperclassmen while Kabuki is
interactive and seen as "the theater of the people." The subject
matter often portrayed in original Noh theater include vengeful
spirits, demon plays, stories of death, and others. Many of the
storylines of these traditional plays have inspired modern horror
depictions, and these stories have been used as source material for
Japanese horror films. In fact, Kabuki was a major subject of early
Japanese films, and Kabuki gradually was woven into the framework of
the modern horror films seen today. For example, the physical
description of Sadako in Koji Suzuki's Ring is taken from what was
seen in Noh and Kabuki theater performances.
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