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/studies
dishonor
- Role of the woman
- Respecting the Deads
- Examples : Suicide Club, Tokyo Gore Police, Ringu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYzEmzGL60&feature=rel
mfu
http://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.