Tono Monogatari

Shigeru Mizuki, Japan’s preeminent master of yokai comics, transforms one of the nation’s most vital works of supernatural literature into a stunning graphic novel. Originally compiled in 1910 by folklorists Kunio Yanagita and Kizen Sasaki, Tono Monogatari serves as a cultural cornerstone comparable to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The text was created to preserve the legends of the Tono region at a time when Japan’s rapid modernization threatened to erase its traditional heritage forever. Crafted during the later stage of Mizuki’s career—after he stepped away from the demanding pace of commercial serialization to focus on deeply personal art—this adaptation seamlessly blends the original folklore with autobiographical reflection. In this evocative retelling, Mizuki attempts to retrace the historic journey of Yanagita and Sasaki through the Tono countryside, only to discover that his aging body struggles to keep pace with their legendary footsteps. As he wanders the landscape, he vividly recounts the region's most celebrated myths, bringing an extraordinary cast of monsters, dragons, and foxes to life on the page. The narrative culminates in a poignant encounter where Mizuki meets Yanagita himself, and the two creators sit together to reflect upon their life's work.