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The readings for this week emphasize the playful and commercial side of yōkai. In the stories by Baba Bunkō, Shiba Zenkō, and Jippensha Ikku, the tone is comical and the setting is urban. Yanagita, on the other hand, seems to take yōkai quite seriously and indicates that the true home of yōkai (home of true yōkai?) is found in rural areas. In the eyes of Yanagita, what is problematic about the monsters presented in this week’s readings? Do you agree with his assessment that yōkai properly belong to rural areas where traditions remain strong? If you do, then explain why: why would you characterize the monsters in the readings as less authentic than the creatures Yanagita discusses? If you do not agree with Yanagita, explain how you would define yōkai to encompass the products of the urban marketplace.
As before, your response should be about 500 words long.
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