Description
Although the horror genre has been embraced by filmmakers around the world, Japan has been one of the most prolific and successful purveyors of such films. From science fiction terrors of the 1950s like Godzilla to violent films like Suicide Circle and Ichi the Killer, Japanese horror film has a diverse history. While the quality of some of these films has varied, others have been major hits in Japan and beyond, frightening moviegoers around the globe. Many of these films-such as the Ringu movies-have influenced other horror productions in both Asia and the United States. The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films covers virtually every horror film made in Japan from the past century to date. In addition to major and modest productions, this encyclopedia also features entries on notable directors, producers, and actors. Each film entry includes comprehensive details, situates the film in the context and history of Japanese horror cinema, and provides brief suggestions for further reading. Although emphasizing horror as a general theme, this encyclopedia also encompasses other genres that are associated with this theme, including Comedy Horror, Science Fiction Horror, Cyber-punk Horror, Ero Guru (Erotic Grotesque), and Anime Horror. The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films is a comprehensive reference volume that will appeal to both cinema scholars as well as to the many fans of this popular genre.
About the Author
Salvador Jimenez Murguia is associate professor of Sociology at Miyazaki International College and Paul Orfalea Center Fellow in Global Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is the author of the forthcoming Failure to Launch: Crystal Pepsi, Mullets, and the Other Doomed Trends of Popular Culture.
Reviews
Murguia, along with more than 50 international academic contributors, presents an A-Z reference guide highlighting Japanese horror (J-horror) cinema. Various aspects of the genre are considered, such as ero guru nansensu (erotic grotesque nonsense), tokusatsu (live-action special effects), and anime. This encyclopedia seeks to provide a 'perspective on the intersection between popular culture and the commercial production of horror' that is 'accessible for general audiences and academics alike.' Films (Ringu; Tokyo Gore Police), directors (Takashi Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa), and series ('Ju-on,' 'Tetsuo,' 'Daimajin') are examined. Entries on films include information such as date, director, and screenwriter along with graphically detailed synopses and brief analysis, in order to give scholarly credence to these works. Many of the movies are disturbing in theme and involve scenes of rape, mutilation, and torture. Splatter, slasher, and 'pink' films (those with sex or nudity) are discussed. This comprehensive source will benefit those looking for material on these films in a single volume and be of value to film students researching the topic. Some articles offer helpful bibliographies for further exploration. VERDICT: For J-horror enthusiasts and academic libraries with film collections. * Library Journal *
For film aficionados, Japanese horror is a well-known genre, influencing horror productions in the U.S. as well as in other Asian countries. Varying widely from monster films, like the iconic Godzilla, to violence-and death-obsessed works, science-fiction-influenced tales, and ghost stories, these films appeal to differing demographics. Designed for both general readers and those in academic venues, this alphabetically organized work covers most of the Japanese horror films made in the past 100 years, both in film-specific entries and those for notable writers, actors, directors, and producers as well as film festivals. Articles, written by approximately 45 international contributors, most with academic affiliations, are accessibly written essays. . . .[T]he essays are generally interesting reading, and many are followed by cross-reference notations and short bibliographies. The contents give film titles and names in both English and Japanese, and the index is comprehensive and accurate. . . .[T]his volume is a sound inclusion for collections at colleges and universities supporting film studies. * Booklist *
This offbeat encyclopedia edited by Murguia seeks to fill a niche as the only English-language work on 'J-horror.' More than 50 international contributors-mainly scholars-provide write-ups, treating horror broadly, including genres such as hyper-violence, erotic grotesque, or anime horror. The bulk of the work focuses on an admirably wide range of specific films; it also offers entries on important directors, actors, and general themes.... [T]his volume belongs on the bookshelves of aficionados and libraries collecting comprehensively in film.... Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. * CHOICE *
Once opened, The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies unleashed wriggly, rubbery tentacles of film analysis and biography and historical context and cultural insight onto the hapless reviewer's initial cursory interest of the topic and infused it with an irradiated concoction of well-written essays, until the reviewer found himself morphing and transforming and mutating into...an ardent appreciator of J-Horror. . . .According to Murguia, in his two-page introduction, The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies stands alone as the only encyclopedia in the English-speaking market focusing on J-Horror. . . .While the essays about the movies provide the reader with the expected summary and analysis of the film or film series, the contributors' expertise add unexpected textures to the content. . . .Does Godzilla lurk within these pages? Yes. Will your library's patrons-J-Horror connoisseur or curious novice-find themselves ensnared by the content of The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies? Place the book on your shelves and walk away. * American Reference Books Annual *
Book Information
ISBN 9781442261662
Author Salvador Jimenez Murguia
Format Hardback
Page Count 422
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Series National Cinemas
Weight(grams) 1071g
Dimensions(mm) 260mm * 187mm * 30mm
About the Author
Salvador Jimenez Murguia is associate professor of Sociology at Miyazaki International College and Paul Orfalea Center Fellow in Global Studies at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is the author of the forthcoming Failure to Launch: Crystal Pepsi, Mullets, and the Other Doomed Trends of Popular Culture.
Reviews
Murguia, along with more than 50 international academic contributors, presents an A-Z reference guide highlighting Japanese horror (J-horror) cinema. Various aspects of the genre are considered, such as ero guru nansensu (erotic grotesque nonsense), tokusatsu (live-action special effects), and anime. This encyclopedia seeks to provide a 'perspective on the intersection between popular culture and the commercial production of horror' that is 'accessible for general audiences and academics alike.' Films (Ringu; Tokyo Gore Police), directors (Takashi Miike, Kiyoshi Kurosawa), and series ('Ju-on,' 'Tetsuo,' 'Daimajin') are examined. Entries on films include information such as date, director, and screenwriter along with graphically detailed synopses and brief analysis, in order to give scholarly credence to these works. Many of the movies are disturbing in theme and involve scenes of rape, mutilation, and torture. Splatter, slasher, and 'pink' films (those with sex or nudity) are discussed. This comprehensive source will benefit those looking for material on these films in a single volume and be of value to film students researching the topic. Some articles offer helpful bibliographies for further exploration. VERDICT: For J-horror enthusiasts and academic libraries with film collections. * Library Journal *
For film aficionados, Japanese horror is a well-known genre, influencing horror productions in the U.S. as well as in other Asian countries. Varying widely from monster films, like the iconic Godzilla, to violence-and death-obsessed works, science-fiction-influenced tales, and ghost stories, these films appeal to differing demographics. Designed for both general readers and those in academic venues, this alphabetically organized work covers most of the Japanese horror films made in the past 100 years, both in film-specific entries and those for notable writers, actors, directors, and producers as well as film festivals. Articles, written by approximately 45 international contributors, most with academic affiliations, are accessibly written essays. . . .[T]he essays are generally interesting reading, and many are followed by cross-reference notations and short bibliographies. The contents give film titles and names in both English and Japanese, and the index is comprehensive and accurate. . . .[T]his volume is a sound inclusion for collections at colleges and universities supporting film studies. * Booklist *
This offbeat encyclopedia edited by Murguia seeks to fill a niche as the only English-language work on 'J-horror.' More than 50 international contributors-mainly scholars-provide write-ups, treating horror broadly, including genres such as hyper-violence, erotic grotesque, or anime horror. The bulk of the work focuses on an admirably wide range of specific films; it also offers entries on important directors, actors, and general themes.... [T]his volume belongs on the bookshelves of aficionados and libraries collecting comprehensively in film.... Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty; general readers. * CHOICE *
Once opened, The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies unleashed wriggly, rubbery tentacles of film analysis and biography and historical context and cultural insight onto the hapless reviewer's initial cursory interest of the topic and infused it with an irradiated concoction of well-written essays, until the reviewer found himself morphing and transforming and mutating into...an ardent appreciator of J-Horror. . . .According to Murguia, in his two-page introduction, The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies stands alone as the only encyclopedia in the English-speaking market focusing on J-Horror. . . .While the essays about the movies provide the reader with the expected summary and analysis of the film or film series, the contributors' expertise add unexpected textures to the content. . . .Does Godzilla lurk within these pages? Yes. Will your library's patrons-J-Horror connoisseur or curious novice-find themselves ensnared by the content of The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Movies? Place the book on your shelves and walk away. * American Reference Books Annual *
Book Information
ISBN 9781442261662
Author Salvador Jimenez Murguia
Format Hardback
Page Count 422
Imprint Rowman & Littlefield
Publisher Rowman & Littlefield
Series National Cinemas
Weight(grams) 1071g
Dimensions(mm) 260mm * 187mm * 30mm
