Japanese Ghosts, Deities and Fantastic Beings/Reader's Passport to Japan

Japanese culture and folklore abound in unusual characters — from ghosts (yūrei), to deities (kami), fantastical beings known from folk tales (yōkai). They were and still are an importantelement of Japanese tradition, so it is not surprising that they have also penetrated into literature.

During the meeting, we will look at where and how ghosts, iyōkai deities appear in Japanese literature — from classical tales, to popular literature, to modern fiction. We will talk about their importance in the context of history, customs and symbolism, as well as suggest how to interpret these characters in different literary genres. We invite you if you are not afraid of ghosts!