The images were scanned from the book ‘Youkai hyakumonogatari emaki’ (妖怪百物語絵巻) published by Kokusho Kankokai in 2003. Fortunately it includes a transcription of the cursive script, along with some notes on the old Japanese and the book has a little commentary about each monster. The Bakemono Zukushi handscroll, painted in the Edo period (18th-19th century) by an unknown artist, depicts 24 traditional monsters that once used to spook the people of Japan. Most of these monsters look pretty scary to me even now days. What is interesting it all looks like it is closely connected to the cult of death and with so called undead. I find it very fascinating.

Oyajirome (親白眼) has a bulging eye on the back of its head and a claw on its one-fingered hand.

Yume-no-seirei (“dream ghost” – 夢の精霊) appears as a thin old man in a white robe.

Yamamba (山姥) is a mountain hag.

Rokurokubi (ろくろくび), a long-necked woman, is pictured next to an Inugami (犬神) dog spirit.

Boukon (亡魂), a departed soul, appears to have pale blue skin, long hair, and a distended belly.

Ushi-oni (牛鬼) is a sea monster with the head of a cow and the body of a giant spider or crab.

Yamawaro (山童) is a one-eyed kappa-like creature found in the mountains.

Buraribi (ぶらり火) is a white, bird-like creature surrounded by ghostly flames.

Uwan (うわん) is a creature that inhabits abandoned buildings.

Akashita (“red tongue” – 赤舌) is a hairy-faced creature that hides in a dark cloud.

Yuki-onna (“snow woman” – 雪女) appears on snowy nights as a beautiful woman with long hair.

Daichiuchi (大地打) is a mallet-wielding monster with a bird-like face.

Nekomata (猫また) cat demon plays the shamisen next to a kitsune (狐) fox spirit.

Kami-kiri (“hair cutter” – 髪切) are known for sneaking up on people and cutting off their hair.

Dōmo-kōmo (どうもこうも) is a two-headed creature with gray skin.

Sara-hebi (さら蛇) is a large, snake-like creature with the head of a woman.

Mi-no-kedachi (身の毛立) has a coat of body hair that stands on end.

Nobusuma (のぶすま) has a brown body, human-like face, spiky hair, claws, and sharp black teeth.

Uma-shika (馬鹿) is a horse-like monster with a horn on its head and a single bulging eye.

Hajikkaki (はぢっかき) has a round white body with short arms and legs.

Odoroshi (おどろし) is a red-faced monster with big eyes, black teeth, and long hair.