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HitoshiAriga — YOUKAI - 1

Published: 2011-10-14 16:01:20 +0000 UTC; Views: 11525; Favourites: 246; Downloads: 76
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Description Kappa / Zashiki-Warashi / Karakasa

These are some of the youkai (mythical creatures) that I drew for a children's youkai maze book that I published in Japan. The book was intended for children, but looking back at these illustrations now, I wonder if I made them too scary...

Youkai seem to have always been a part of Japanese culture. I believe their physical appearance and the tales surrounding them offer a richly candid peek into the psychology of the people who populated ancient Japan. Personally, I can't help but find their terrifying appearance quite endearing.

日本で出した、妖怪めいろ絵本に出てくる妖怪たちです。
子供向けの本のはずなんですが、なんだか今見直すと、怖すぎるかもしれない…

妖怪自体は、土着的な存在です。
彼らの姿や物語からは、昔の日本の人々が、何を思い暮らしていたのかが色濃く投影されています。
私は、恐ろしい外見の彼らたちを愛しく思います。

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Comments: 15

CherryBossom0410 [2016-12-20 18:40:44 +0000 UTC]

I just have a question whos the middle one?

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GHENGIZZ [2013-05-30 20:16:19 +0000 UTC]

Such cuties. Especially the Zashiki-Warashi:>

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neolight15 [2013-01-07 01:43:41 +0000 UTC]

their not scary most of them look sad and wird and some of them actually look king of cute

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Akyura44 [2012-03-24 22:36:47 +0000 UTC]

YAY!!

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KentaMaeba [2011-10-16 03:24:53 +0000 UTC]

GAH Youkai! WHERE'S REIMU?!

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Debachi In reply to KentaMaeba [2012-03-20 20:22:37 +0000 UTC]

I guess she's too busy so you may want to contact Sanae.

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sanitrance [2011-10-15 23:14:27 +0000 UTC]

aaaah I love kappa and karakasa! <3 very cool. I love youkai. these are very lovely

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GaiaX2 [2011-10-15 18:26:49 +0000 UTC]

It's the famous trio of japanese popular culture!

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aipe-hirokareo [2011-10-15 14:46:35 +0000 UTC]

I always thought there should be more kappa art~

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Ferretini [2011-10-15 02:46:56 +0000 UTC]

Interesting....I want that umbrella. o-o
So cool!

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HitoshiAriga [2011-10-14 17:00:09 +0000 UTC]

There are many different types of Zashiki-warashi, so you may find other sources that paint a totally different picture of them. For more details, please see the following links:

[link]
[link]

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Sophtopus In reply to HitoshiAriga [2011-10-14 18:42:20 +0000 UTC]

Ariga-sensei, to answer to someone you need to click "reply" otherwise they won't receive your response. Responses will be pushed a bit to the right, and not the same level as the comments

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tobi1480 [2011-10-14 16:26:11 +0000 UTC]

What is a Zashiki-Warashi? That's the only one I've never seen before...

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TheWP In reply to tobi1480 [2011-10-15 15:19:36 +0000 UTC]

It's a youkai that brings riches and fortunes to the household it is in, but if it leaves, the house will fall onto very hard times. Kiri Komori from Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei was mistaken for one in her introductory chapter (she's actually just a hikikomori)

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tobi1480 In reply to TheWP [2011-10-15 15:58:46 +0000 UTC]

Ohhhhhhhhhh Okay, I know now!

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