Japanese folklore abounds with bizarre creatures collectively referred to as the yokai the ancestors of the monsters populating Japanese film, literature, manga, and anime.

Artist Toriyama Sekien (1712-88) was the first to compile illustrated encyclopedias detailing the appearances and habits of these creepy-crawlies from myth and folklore. Ever since their debut over two centuries ago, the encyclopedias have inspired generations of Japanese artists. Japandemonium Illustrated represents the very first time they have ever been available in English.

This historically groundbreaking compilation includes complete translations of all four of Sekien's yokai masterworks: the 1776 Gazu Hyakki Yagyo (The Illustrated Demon Horde's Night Parade), the 1779 Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki (More Illustrated Demons from Past and Present), the 1780 Konjaku Hyakki Shui (Even More Demons from Past and Present), and the 1784 Hyakki Tsurezure Bukuro (An Idle Horde of Things).

The collection is complemented by a detailed introduction and helpful annotations for modern-day readers.