Y-Day

Good news for ghouls: both Yurei Attack! and the revised & expanded edition of Yokai Attack! are finally available on Amazon! (Above: a handmade promo poster being used at bookstores in Japan.)

Yurei Attack! The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide

Yokai Attack! The Japanese Monster Survival Guide (Expanded Edition)

(The expanded edition of Ninja Attack! is coming soon -- it's on the way to Amazon as you read these words.)

Comments

[Gary]

Matt, I got both of these books and am having fun reading them. I'm enjoying Yokai a lot and have yet to unwrap Yurei. However, I wish there were more Japanese in them to help people who know a bit of Japanese. You show the names of the yokai in Japanese, but any romanized Japanese in-line in the text doesn't have the context of the kanji.

Also, the suggested pronunciations of the yokai's names are a bit off, don't you think? I know this book is more marketed toward westerners, but to me personally it gives it sort of a misleading "Japanese-slurp-their-noodles-to-show-their-appreciation-to-the-chef" kind of feeling.

Regardless, great work, I love it, and it's so fulfilling to finally know where all these allegories that are in so much of Japan's culture, everyday life, and fiction get their sources from. Every time I read something, I recognize it in something else from Japan!

[MattAlt]

As a lifelong student of the language myself, I totally sympathize with what you're saying about Japanese text. Early drafts of the book did include Japanese in-line with the English. But in the effort to appeal to the broadest possible audience, those were dropped. Looking back, I think it was the right decision, because Yokai Attack in particular has proved really popular with younger readers; we often get letters from parents saying the book got their kids reading. Ironically, it wasn't written for children at all, but it's really satisfying to hear that it resonates with kids. So let me make a deal with you and everyone: if you ever want to know what the Japanese reading is for something you see in the text, you can mail me anytime.

We took some flak for the pronunciations, but I stand by them for the simple reason that I can barely decipher official pronunciation symbols myself. Even after studying them for the process of writing the book, decided we wanted to go with something easier to understand. I'm not sure I understand the "slurp the noodles" comment -- do you find the pronunciations condescending? I promise you our only intention was trying to come up with something people could sound out themselves, particularly for difficult-to-parse names like "tsukumogami."

Thanks so much for the kind words. I appreciate your taking the time to weigh in, and feel free to drop me a line anytime!

[Gary]

Thanks for the reply! Sorry if I come off as critical. You know us humans, better at being criticizing than praising. I assure you though those were just minor gripes and I love the books.

As for the "slurp the noodles" thing, I only meant that in that it's a partial fact (Japanese DO slurp their noodles), but also partially fabricated (but it's not to please anyone) in travel books or foreign trivia just to keep non-Japanese interested. It just gave me sort of that "Japan through the eyes of a non-Japanese" feeling.

I admit I may not be your target audience with this book, but hey, you're getting children reading this :) so you're more successful than you thought!

And I may take you up on that offer to ask you more questions! I just came back from a trip to Japan so it is fresh in my mind. My last trip was years ago, and this recent one has made me remember why I used to strive to live there. Can I live through you vicariously? :)

[MattAlt]

If you enjoyed it, you're the target audience! ;)

[Benjamin Martin]

Congratulations on the release! Its great to see all the pictures of your books in different stores popping up! Ganbatte!

[Matt]

Thanks! Looks like you have one on the way yourself. Good luck with that too!