JAPANESE FOLKLORE IN HORROR VIDEO GAMES AND horror MOVIES

By Filthy-phil (Philippe Ringuette)

Horror is not always Gore!

Horror = Plot and suspense: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8R1dODSbzU

Gore = Guts and blood: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFKP9lB_F7s

Question : Why movies AND video games ?

‘’Using horror games as a lens, this research finds that many common themes in Japanese horror games can be traced back to non-game cultural origins. (…) In some cases these motifs come fromtraditional folklore or ideas.(…) By studying these games we can therefore learn about the culture of Japan.’’ (Puett, 2010, p.1)

Points : -How ghosts and legends are represented

- How the Shintoism is present

- What is the critique of japanese society

Ringu – The Ring

Ju-on – The grudge

Dark Water

One missed Call

And so on…

Video Games :Resident Evil (games and movies) : Trying to be western

Silent Hill (games and movie) : Cultural mix

Fatal Frame : Pure ghost story

Siren : Religious folklore

Ghost stories : From Buddhism and Shintoism

A ghost is someone who :

-died with feelings of hatred and anger.

Cannot rest in peace

Seeks revenge

Ther are mostly women :

- pureness and symbol of innocence

Shintoism (ancient indigenous religion) : Kind of animism

-Material world and spirit world intertwined

- Calm the vengeful spirit (Ringu series)

- Respect the Deads.

Siren series : -Haunted schools tales-shintoist cults-Symbolically very rich.

Critique of japanese society :

- Warning against cult and religious sects.

- High rate of suicide : social facts, job/work/studiesdishonor

- Role of the woman

- Respecting the Deads

- Examples : Suicide Club, Tokyo Gore Police, Ringu.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYzEmzGL60&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfPhIe5F_68

Why do we like it or not? :

Americans horror movies and games are not the same :

-Conception of evil. Folklore about ghosts

Different social issues

-Japanese horror movies and games:

- Captivating and twisted plot

-Cultural references

-Gameplay

References :

Pruett, Chris. The Anthropology of Fear : Learning About Japan Through Horror Games.