Masao Higashi: Kaidan, a Mirror on the Japanese Belief

Summer in Japan is the season for kaidan, often translated as ghost stories. But kaidan are not just scary. They aim to chill by focusing more on the mystery and fear of the supernatural and surreal, with grudge and resentment being a common theme. Masao Higashi, an anthologist who has just come out with a collection of famous stories, explains that kaidan frequently draw on Japanese folklore and beliefs, providing an insight into Japanese culture and mentality.