An exhibit of Japanese Yokai in Lahore
Dr Tehnyat Majeed
Visual Narratives Japan, a cultural event jointly organized by The Japan Foundation, the Embassy of Japan, the Lahore Arts Council, and the Lahore Arts Foundation Trust, was inaugurated by Japanese Ambassador Wada Mitsuhiro at the Alhamra galleries in Lahore on 24th September, 2024. The event aimed to foster a deeper appreciation for Japan’s rich traditions, with the highlight being the exhibition Yokai Parade: Supernatural Monsters from Japan. This exhibit took visitors on a captivating journey into the enigmatic world of Japanese folklore of monsters, ghosts and magical beings. Adding to the experience were documentary screenings on traditional Japanese crafts, providing further insight into the country’s artistic heritage. Dr Tehnyat Majeed takes us through the exhibition.
A Walk Through the World of Yokai
The Yokai Parade showcases 84 distinct objects, including traditional handscrolls, woodblock prints, printed books and board games, sculptures, and contemporary merchandise. Spanning over 300 years of Yokai folklore, the exhibition unveils a world of supernatural creatures that reflect humanity’s deepest fears and nature’s mysteries. From grotesque demons to playful spirits, these entities mirror universal themes of the unknown and the liminal spaces between realms.
An enlarged section of a magnificent woodblock print depicting the legendary samurai Minamoto no Yorimitsu, along with his retainers, locked in battle with Tsuchigumo, a terrifying demon-spider, was prominently displayed above the entrance of the gallery. It felt like this striking image symbolically guarded the exhibition, inviting visitors to delve into the supernatural under the protective gaze of the samurai.
Yokai are shape-shifters, mostly nocturnal and capable of assuming terrifying or humorous forms. Their moral ambiguity makes them all the more fascinating. Among the exquisite handscrolls displayed is The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons, a mesmerizing scene of monsters appearing at dusk. Each Yokai carries some paraphernalia, marching to their own rhythm yet maintaining a sense of order in the chaos. The grotesque yet playful procession continues until dawn, with the creatures prancing to the beat of a drum. Legend has it that any human who witnesses this spectacle will either be killed or cursed.
The Night Parade also appears in printed books, most notably in an 18th-century collection by artist Toriyama Sekien, whose work catalogued various mythological creatures. Sekien’s depictions left a lasting influence on Japanese art, literature, and modern media, inspiring visual elements in anime, manga, and film. His illustrations helped shape how future generations would visualize these supernatural beings.
Some Yokai, like the mythological Yamata no Orochi, an eight-headed serpent symbolizing chaos and destruction, trace their origins back to the early 8th century. This fearsome creature was immortalized in later printed books, including versions adapted for foreign audiences. Yokai-themed board games, such as omocha-e and face cards known as menko, became especially popular during the Edo period, teaching children about these mythical characters through playful interaction.
From Tradition to Modernity
The exhibition also introduces the benevolent Yokai as “Beasts of Prophecy,” believed to offer protection and guidance, helping humanity restore balance with the natural world. Among the most intriguing Yokai on display is Amabie, an Edo-period creature who resurfaced in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Said to ward off epidemics, Amabie became a central figure in Japan’s health ministry’s public safety campaigns, appearing on posters and merchandise. This modern revival of Amabie reflects the enduring power of Yokai to bridge ancient folklore and contemporary challenges.
The exhibition highlights this lasting impact of Yokai on modern Japanese art and culture. For instance, we see how Amabie, was reimagined by contemporary artist, Mizuki Shigeru. Similarly, works by other artists like Hirao Tsutomu and Yamada Shinya illustrate how these supernatural traditions organically transition into modern media especially anime and manga, capturing the imaginations of both old and new generations.
Curatorial Vision
Yumoto Koichi, the chief curator of Yokai Parade, envisioned the exhibition as four distinct chapters based on different media, primarily representing the Edo period (1615-1868), but also incorporating objects from the later Meiji and Showa periods into the present day. Chapter 1 explores picture handscrolls (emaki), while Chapter 2 focuses on colourful woodblock prints (nishiki-e) and Yokai-themed printed books. Chapter 3 takes visitors on a playful journey through Yokai-inspired board and card games, while Chapter 4 demonstrates how these supernatural beings have left their mark on modern Japanese pop culture.
In Lahore, venue curator Sabah Husain faced the challenge of adapting this extensive exhibition to Alhamra’s unique spaces. Her primary concern was to create a seamless visual flow between the exhibition areas, allowing the narrative to unfold naturally while highlighting the bold graphic design elements, vibrant woodblock prints, and intricate craftsmanship of the picture scrolls. From adjusting the heights of the artwork to optimizing lighting and making curatorial decisions on which items to display in glass cabinets, Husain ensured that different pieces could be appreciated from multiple angles, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the world of Yokai—even though it comes from another culture and bygone eras.
The logistics were no small feat—10 crates of materials were shipped from Thailand, with personnel from the Japanese embassy overseeing the meticulous unpacking and installation process. “It was a difficult task to install the entire exhibit in just three days,” Husain recalled. “This included assembling the glass cabinets and even creating extra display platforms. The teamwork was immense, but it all came together beautifully.” Alhamra proved to be an ideal venue for this remarkable exhibition, offering the necessary security and climate control to preserve the integrity of the artworks.
Craftsmanship and Tradition
A notable aspect of the exhibition is its focus on traditional Japanese craftsmanship. Most of the works on display are replicas of originals from the Yumoto Koichi Memorial Museum in Miyoshi, near Hiroshima. In Japan, replica-making is a revered art form, with master craftsmen recognized as “Living National Treasures” replicating ancient techniques to preserve the mystique of the originals. The replicas showcased in Lahore offer an authentic glimpse into Edo-period Yokai art while safeguarding the fragile originals.
Engaging a Diverse Audience
The exhibition attracted a diverse audience, including university students and school groups to Civil Services Academy trainees, to art enthusiasts and anime fans. Alhamra’s prime location on Mall Road, surrounded by key institutions and public parks, made the exhibit easily accessible, helping to draw large crowds. Curator Sabah Husain was especially delighted with the frequent visits from younger audiences, particularly anime lovers who recognized many of the Yokai. “One visitor, a girl with a fractured arm, had anime characters drawn on her cast,” Husain shared, “and she spent over an hour exploring the exhibit.” QR codes next to some pieces made the experience even more interactive, allowing for deeper engagement. Moreover, the beautiful exhibition booklet featuring colour reproductions of all the artworks offered a lasting memento for visitors.
Beyond the fascinating world of Yokai folklore, the exhibition invited reflection on the universality of supernatural myths. “Every culture has its own stories of the unknown,” Husain noted, “these myths offer hope, a reminder that perhaps a supernatural force will help us especially during times of crisis.” The connections between the Yokai and creatures from Islamic artistic and literary traditions, such as those in the Shahnameh, Qisa-e Chahar Derwish, Hamzanama, Tutinama or the Ajai’b al-Makhluqat reveal a shared human fascination with the supernatural.
As the Yokai Parade exhibit concluded in Lahore on 3rd October, 2024, it is set to travel to other international destinations, leaving an indelible mark on its visitors. This exhibition, which began its journey in 2021 at the Institute of Japanese Culture in Rome, has harmoniously blended art, history, and mythology, creating a truly rich and enchanting cross-cultural experience.
Dr Tehnyat Majeed has taught university courses in Islamic Material Culture and Museum Studies at LUMS and BNU. She worked as a curator at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Ohio, USA. In 2015, she curated the Lahore Museum-UNESCO (International Fund for the Promotion of Culture) special exhibition, Rediscovering Harappa: Through the Five Elements. She has a doctorate in Islamic Art & Archaeology from the University of Oxford.
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