Japanese Yokai Gazette (with 36 New Forms of Ukiyo-e by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi)

When rocks and trees could speak, demons had already been born into the world.

Our ancient ancestors, their living space constantly faced with the lurking dangers of wild beasts in treacherous jungles and fields. As night fell, they were swallowed by endless darkness, and even during the day they could not find peace. They fought against an invisible force hidden behind nature, and under these conditions, a fertile environment for the growth of demon legends was conceived.