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Category Archives: Japan
The Yuki-Onna, Queen of the Yokai: “Her touch brings freezing death!”
ABOVE: An Edo period ilustration of a Yuki-Onna, courtesy of WikiCommons. The Yuki-Onna, the female snow-spirit with the icy touch of death, was immortalized in Lafcadio Hearn’s retelling of the folktale in Kwaidan, and also Masaki Kobayashi’s 1964 film adaptation of … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Japan
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The Mysterious Kamisama of Japanese Mythology
A quick guide to the main players in the Japanese mythical pantheon (who also appear in the YA Science Fantasy series “Sword, Mirror, Jewel”). … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Mythology, Science Fiction
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The Tengu: Friend or Foe?
Their red-faced masks with the phallic noses can be found everywhere in Japan, from souvenir shops to festival stalls to cheap izakaya pub-restaurants (one chain is even named after them) to packets of beef jerky. But who exactly are … … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Mythology
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The Kappa: Japan’s Mysterious Green Goblins
ABOVE: A painting of some suave Kappa-about-town seen in Nishi-Guchi Yakiton, a pub-restaurant in Asakusabashi, downtown Shitamachi Tokyo. Today we look at one of the many bizarre denizens of Japan’s supernatural universe. They are legendary creatures that turn up as … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Horror, Japan
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The Five Best Steampunk Stores from Steampark Tokyo 2019
BELOW: Denki Endorphin: Chunky jewelry from repurposed industrial debris and found objects. DENKI ENDORPHIN: Web shop https://denkiendorphin.com Email: shop@denkiendorphin.shop-pro.jp BELOW: DM DESIGN: Steampunk waistcoats, dusters and kitbags with a Post-Apocalyptic twist. DM DESIGN: Web shop http://dmdesign.jp/ BELOW: MAYOZONES. … Continue reading
Posted in Art & Design, Japan, Steampunk
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Interview: Award-winning Author Charles Kowalski
ANNOUNCING the latest addition to Excalibur Books! Charles Kowalski writes both adult thrillers, and fantasy for younger readers. His debut thriller, MIND VIRUS, won the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers’ Colorado Gold Award and was a finalist for the Killer Nashville … Continue reading
Posted in Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Mystery, Mythology
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Exclusive Interview: Authors Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani
Excalibur Books is honored to have an exclusive interview with the award-winning author team, Leza Lowitz and Shogo Oketani! Lowitz has published over 20 books in genres including young adult fiction, memoir, poetry, fiction, and translation, and also runs a … Continue reading
Posted in Japan, Literature
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“Sakura: Intellectual Property” – The Interview!
Excalibur Books presents an exclusive interview with the co-creators of the best-selling Cyberpunk SF phenomenon “Sakura: Intellectual Property” – Paul Genesse and Patrick Tracy! Paul Genesse Patrick Tracy How did this project come about? Patrick: Our dear friend, … Continue reading
Posted in Alternative History, Art & Design, Cyberpunk, Japan, Literature, Manga, Science Fiction
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Best Fantasy/Science Fiction Novels Set In Japan – Part 1!
For decades, the nation of Japan has been a magnet for writers of speculative fiction – with authors such as William Gibson and David Mitchell being inspired by the land of paradox. Here is part one of a look at … Continue reading
Posted in Alternative History, Cyberpunk, Fantasy, Japan, Literature, Science Fiction, Steampunk
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Short Story: “Drowning in a Sea of Trees”
The following complete story was first published in Zoe Drake’s collection, “Dark Lanterns”. The Zoe Drake summer 2018 campaign is now over and this story is no longer available.
Posted in Horror, Japan, Literature
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