It was interesting to hear the different folklore and how they’re still used in modern day media

Very informative book. It is quite literally an encyclopedia, with all the entries listed in alphabetical order. All the entries describe the yokai, give an example of a folk story they're in, and then give examples of how it's influenced modern pop culture. 

Very interesting, the author narrates the audiobook herself and has a very soporific voice so it's a good audiobook for bedtime. 

Very useful quick guide. Not best to read like a normal book but each yokkai or tale was broken down nicely into overviews and background story as well as how they're portrayed in modern media. I wish they all had an illustration to go along with them

I appreciate the pronunciation guide; though I wish all the entries had illustrations, not just some of them

While naturally 'youkai' form such an expansive collection it would be impossible to collect them all in any one volume, Matsuura presents a wonderful overview of a good many in this book - and every one is given due space.

Each youkai is presented with name, romanised and in kanji, and other names, as well as the direct translation into English, and similar youkai. There is an overview, including descriptions, and for many a full-page illustration (many beautiful and/or playful), as well as origin stories, retold succinctly but with spirit, connections to actual history, and their appearances in more modern stories.

I found it all very engaging, from the youkai I've long been familiar with to the entirely new (and there was always something new even in the familiar ones), and Matsuura's style is charming and seems to display fondness for her topic, as well as a gratifying thoroughness.