Yokai are making a come back in Fukui thanks to legendary yokai artist Matthew Meyer, who currently resides in Echizen Town. Meyer has been introducing yokai to the English world for almost twenty years, since he started drawing a yokai a day in 2007.
Check out his site Yokai.com, a detailed compendium complete with illustrations and a page dedicated to Fukui's yokai. Grab Matthew Meyer's upcoming yokai book!
Three yokai events came to Fukui and I hope they return every year. From original goods to AR games for children, a gallery of Matthew Meyer's yokai illustrations to yokai performers. The kitsune and jorogumo (spider-woman) were especially mesmerizing. My child was delighted with the strange monsters and even drew one to be presented with other kids' yokai drawings.
Bisha ga tsuku, a yokai native to Sakai City, Fukui which is known for its plethora of supernatural phenomenon, from human sacrifices to island curses. Bisha ga tsuku is not so malevolent, although it may delight in a good scare, this yokai is known for following people in the snow, making a "bisha bisha" sound. The sound will grow closer and closer until the person turns to discover nothing there. The best thing you can do is stand aside and let the bisha ga tsuku pass.
For us adults, these outfits were fascinating, I could see them being used in films, to the children they were terrifying. The yokai event was complete with screams that cut through the air as the yokai actors moved about the venue. My son however might be the real yokai as he simply smiled at the performers who snuck up on him for a scare.
You never know what kind of treasures you'll find at these events. It was hard to choose from everything and I regret not buying a bookmark. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my haul. I would have loved to see some handmade yokai figures! I will be sure to return next year!
