From chain-rattling English ghosts to Romanian vampires, Irish banshees and even Colonial witch hunts, the supernatural traditions of Europe have long been staples in Western literature. But what hasn’t been explored is the ghostlore of the East, historically the land of spices and fables, of magic and mysticism. Easily as grand in scope as its European counterparts, the supernatural traditions of Asia, Hawai‘i, and the Pacific have flourished independently for thousands of years, but have remained largely unrecognized against mainstream conventions.
Meant to bridge the gap between East and West, this book provides a listing of ghosts, demons, and witches from virtually every single Asian nation and culture. New readers will be introduced to characters previously unknown, due to language and resource barriers, while natives of the outlined countries will see their guei, yurei, kwisin, ma, hantu, multo, and lapu proudly represented alongside each other in one comprehensive volume. From the highest, darkest monastery in the Himalayas, to the loneliest rice fields in the deep countryside, to the culturally diverse islands of Hawai‘i, exploring the night will never be the same again.