Inoue Enryō and the Development of Monsterology in Early Modern Japan

Abstract

This thesis explores Monsterology (yōkaigaku, 妖怪学), one of Inoue Enryō's seminal works on the study of monsters, first published in 1891. This work signifies a pivotal shift in the Meiji period’s understanding of supernatural phenomena, presenting a modern, rationalist perspective on monsters that integrates Western scientific thought. Inoue’s approach, which aimed to demystify superstition through applied psychology, positioned him as a key figure in the modernization and Westernization of Japanese religious thought. Inoue’s writing also reflects a convergence of classical Japanese and modern academic essay formats, indicative of the broader linguistic and cultural shifts of the period. This work includes an English translation of Monsterology by Inoue Enryō, excluding the chapter “Collection of Secret Techniques and Their Explanations” due to the complexities of translating its Buddhist terms and explanations.