Sept.13-Nov.22, Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 34
ABOUT the artist
Multiple
ABOUT the exhibition
Humans have always sought explanations for strange phenomena, strange dreams or the feeling of an invisible presence. In Japanese folklore, they talk about Yokai. Yokai are Japanese beings – loved, feared and part of popular culture for hundreds of years. From the scroll paintings, woodcuts and books of the Edo period (1603–1868) – to today’s video games, films and manga.
Yokai provide explanations and answers to unusual events and experiences. They serve as warnings, exhortations and a link to Japan’s dramatic and uncontrollable nature. Many Yokai change shape and can take the form of humans, animals, or everyday objects.
There are several types of Yokai. Among the most popular is Tanuki, a cunning and playful raccoon dog. Another example is ghosts or spirits – Yurei. These are so terrifying that there is a tradition of telling tales about them on warm summer evenings – so that cold drafts cool the listener!
The World Culture Museums are now showing the first major Swedish exhibition ever about Yokai. An image-rich and visual exhibition that first gives a historical look back at the early renderings of Yokai on scrolls, woodcuts and objects, and then lets us follow to today’s anime, games and ai-generated image world.
The exhibition also links to our own Nordic essence, where illustrator and author Johan Egerkrans interprets Japanese essence next to Swedish, such as the neck. The exhibition also explores horror and darkness. Anyone who dares to step into the room with a 15-year-old age limit meets classic horror films such as Ringu (the original for The Ring) and Ju-On (The Grudge).
ABOUT the Gallery
Yokai – Japanese essence is shown 13 September 2024 – 22 November 2026. Please note that this exhibition is not included in the free admission offer valid on Tuesdays 15:00-17:00.
The World Culture Museums, with the formal name Statens museer för worldkultur, is a museum authority consisting of four museums in Sweden; The Ethnographic Museum, the Mediterranean Museum and the East Asian Museum in Stockholm and the World Culture Museum in Gothenburg. We manage a large part of the state’s international cultural heritage in Sweden. In our collections there are objects from all over the world and the museums show exhibitions on everything from Egyptian mummies to global contemporary issues. The authority’s management office is located in Gothenburg.
https://www.varldskulturmuseerna.se