Welcome to the Crowdsourcing Mornings segment! Every weekday morning, Geek Alabama talks about and features one crowdsourcing project from crowdsourcing sites such as, Indiegogo, and others. The hope with Crowdsourcing Mornings is to feature and help a project be successful and reach its fundraising goal. Please enjoy today’s featured project!
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About six years ago, I rewatched Spirited Away and found myself wondering:
Were the strange and wonderful creatures at Yubaba’s bathhouse purely inventions of Hayao Miyazaki — or did they have roots in Japanese mythology?
That question sent me down a rabbit hole.
Before long, I discovered the world of Yōkai — supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Since I have been fascinated by mythologies from all over the world since childhood, this felt like opening a hidden door into an entirely new universe.
What began as curiosity slowly turned into creation. I started reinterpreting these legendary beings in my own artistic language.
During my first Kickstarter campaign, some of them found their way onto shirts. But even then, I knew this would not be their final form.
From the very beginning, I carried one clear vision: One day, these creatures would live together inside a book. I hope that time has finally come.
There is a legend about Hakutaku — a wise, ox-like being who once revealed his knowledge of Yōkai to the Yellow Emperor. The Emperor ordered this knowledge to be recorded, and the collection became known as Hakutaku-zu.
This story inspired the title of this project: Hakutaku-zu, Reimagined.
This book is my personal interpretation of that idea — a contemporary bestiary shaped by folklore, research, and my own artistic voice.
It begins by gently opening the door into the world of Yōkai: what the term means, where these beings come from, and how they are traditionally categorized.
At its heart lies the bestiary itself. More than 38 Yōkai are already illustrated, and there will be at least 40 in total. Each Yōkai is carefully illustrated, described, and placed within its historical and regional context. Fragments of folklore, small curiosities, and lesser-known details accompany them.
The last chapter turns toward protection. Because if you choose to open the gate to this world, you should also know how to guard yourself.
And in the final pages, every backer will be credited — because this project would not exist without you.
This book will be released as a limited, numbered edition.
The total print run will be based on the number of Kickstarter backers, plus a small additional quantity. Each copy will be individually numbered.
There are currently no plans for a reprint.
Size: Open 310 x 215mm, closed 155 x 215 mm
Page count: 120
Paper: 140 g/m2 Maple Bright
Print: Offset printing
Finishing: Hardcase
Language: English
As of May 13th, this project has raised $17,500 of their $8,975 goal. This project has 21 days left to raise as much as it can. For a pledge of $77, you will get one art book. For a pledge of $80, you will get one signed book. To learn more and to pledge money, go to: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/makaii-collection/hakutaku-zu-reimagined?
Categories: Crowdsourcing Mornings Stuff
