Japanese Mythology & Folklore: Ghosts, Monsters, & Strange Tales
In this ongoing class, learners will explore the supernatural side of Japan - its mythology & strange monstrous creatures, ghost stories & folktales, as well as the influence on Japanese media (anime, manga, etc.), culture & history today.
Jennifer M. Yoo
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(95)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hours per weekClass Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Beginner - Intermediate Level
[NEW, IMPROVED & EXPANDED AFTER A LONG HIATUS] Ever wondered what a “tanuki” really is, or what the difference is between a youkai and a yuurei? Find out the answers here! Join us as we explore the supernatural side of Japan, its most iconic (as well as some of the more obscure) monstrous creatures and demons, its strange stories and superstitions, as well as its continued influence on popular culture. In this ongoing class, each week will cover at least one (at most three) of the most prominent supernatural creatures organized around a given "category" or aspect of Japanese folklore, their origins and what they were believed to do or be responsible for, how people in Japan believed they could defend against them, as well as the cultural context for their existence. Learners will be taken through a PowerPoint slide presentation complete with photos/images and video clips (when appropriate). Each class will also include a retelling of at least one Japanese folktale or ghost story, as well as discussion of the role Japanese folklore continues to play in Japan today, such as the influence on contemporary superstitions and its presence in popular culture (anime/manga, video games, movies, etc.). When relevant, aspects of Chinese and/or Korean folklore and how it has either influenced and/or is connected to Japanese folklore may also be included. Questions are encouraged throughout class and learners will be invited to share their thoughts/opinions at several points during each meeting, typically in response to a discussion question of some kind prepared by the teacher. Each week's meeting will include a brief introduction/overview of Japanese folklore at the beginning so that all learners can understand and participate but will mostly feature new material - new creatures, new stories, etc. every week. Class content may be adapted/modified slightly based on the experience and interests of the participating learners that week, but here is the planned material for the scheduled weeks of sections for this class: Week 1 of 9/2-7: Ghosts - "Vengeful" & "Noble" [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 9/9-14] Week 2 of 9/16-21: Magical Animals - Foxes (Kitsune) & Racoon-Dogs (Tanuki) Week 3 of 9/23-28: Legendary Beasts - Phoenixes & Dragons Week 4 of 9/30-10/5: Fearsome Feminine - Monster Women of Snow & Spiders [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 10/7-11 EXCEPT FOR SATURDAY SECTION] Week 5 of 10/12-18: Legendary Heroes of Japanese Folklore - "Magical" Warriors (1) [NO CLASS MEETING ON 10/19] Week 6 (10/26 & 11/1): Other Strange Creatures - Mountain Goblins (Tengu) & River Goblins (Kappa) Week 7 (11/2 & 11/8): Ghosts - "Location-Bound" Spirits & "Living" Ghosts Week 8 (11/9 & 11/15): Magical Animals - Cats, Dogs & Weasels Week 9 (11/16 & 11/22): Legendary Beasts - The Kirin (Chinese "unicorn") & The Baku (dream-eater) Week 10 (11/23 & 12/6): Fearsome Feminine - Monster Women of the Rivers & Seas [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 11/24-30] Week 11 (12/7 & 12/13): Legendary Heroes of Japanese Folklore - "Magical" Warriors (2) Week 12 (12/14 & 12/20): Other Strange Creatures - The Demon/Ogre (Oni) Week 13 (12/21 & 1/3/25): Ghosts - Small Spirits & "Hungry" Ghosts [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 12/22-28] Week 14 (1/4 & 1/10): Magical Animals - Wolves, Otters, Bats Week 15 (1/11 & 1/17): Legendary Beasts - The Nue (Japanese chimera), Mermaids & Giant Catfish [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 1/18-1/23] Week 16 (1/24 & 1/25): Fearsome Feminine - Monster Women of the Mountains, Trees & Rain Week 17 (1/31 & 2/1): Nature Spirits in Japanese Folklore Week 18 (2/7 & 2/8): Other Strange Creatures - "Living" Skeletons & Things Coming Alive Week of 19 (2/14 & 2/22): Ghosts - Contemporary Spirits & Urban Legends [NO CLASS MEETING Week of 2/15-2/20] Week 20 (2/21 & 3/1): Magical Animals - Spiders, Toads & Snakes Week 21 (2/28 & 3/8): Animal Ghosts in Japanese Folklore Week 22 (3/7 & 3/15): Fearsome Feminine - Monster Women with Strange Features Week 23 (3/14 & 3/22): Other Strange Creatures - "Silly" Monsters Week 24 (3/21 & 3/29): Ghosts - Haunted Places in Japan Today Week 25 (3/28 & 4/5): Living in a Supernatural & Superstitious Japan **Please note that depending on the learners in attendance and their expressed interests some material may repeat, though the utmost will be done to make sure that returning learners will come away with something new each meeting of class.
Learning Goals
Learners will develop an understanding and appreciation for the diversity of Japanese culture and history through the exploration of the country's folklore.Learners will be encouraged to express their thoughts and think critically, drawing connections between folklore and real-world/personal experiences.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Given the topic of this class, discussion of certain monsters/supernatural creatures or ghost stories shared in class will occasionally include elements of horror and violence.
Some of the video clips and images shown in class may be taken from horror films, etc. that may also contain scenes of violence or scenes that may be considered suspenseful/frightening, but no graphic violence or gore will be shown.
Additionally, some discussion of Japanese religious and spiritual belief may be required to explain some of the cultural influences present, but as per Outschool policies class content will be still kept secular in its discussion of such topics.
Pre-Requisites
No previous experience or knowledge is required, but at least an interest in Japanese popular culture and/or Japanese folklore is recommended.
Supply List
Video clips (when applicable) will be shared as part of PowerPoint presentations via screen-share on Zoom and won’t require any external resource to view.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
95reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Doctoral Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Hawaii at Manoa
Not only have I studied Japanese folklore as a passion interest for more than 10 years, it is also my field specialization. For my PhD, my dissertation research focuses on the use of ghosts and related folklore in Japanese theatre and films.
From 2017-2019, I spent two years living in Kyoto conducting my research for my doctoral dissertation, during which I studied Japanese folklore, ghost story literature, as well as participated in related events such as "ghost-storytelling tours" across Japan to better understand the role ghosts play in Japanese culture, especially their media, as well as how the character of these classic stories evolved into what is seen so regularly in Japanese films, etc. today.
I have also regularly given talks about Japanese folklore, it’s influence, and continued presence in Japan/Japanese culture for nearly 10 years.Reviews
Live Group Class
$15
weekly1x per week
60 min
Completed by 123 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-10 learners per class
