Yokai are supernatural beings and phenomena of Japanese folklore.
Their appearance can range from creatures that have animal-like qualities such as the kappa, to insects such as the jorogumo, to inanimate objects such as the kasa obake, and even spirits, and humanoids. There are many types of yokai that come from varying origins with varying relationships to humans. Some yokai are tricksters, some are even dangerous and malevolent. Some are quite harmless and may even be helpful to a traveler's journey!
Yokai have been around and can be dated back as early asthe 8th century, and the depictions from the original woodblock prints have been evolving ever since. Artists such as Toriyama Sekien from the edo period is one of many influential artists and folklorists that contributed to the popularisation of yokai, which resulted to a lot of Japanese fine art and stories that many artists now use as our own references for designing yokai to how we visually interpret it and its unique stories. The influences of yokai doesn't just stop at fine arts and tattooing, the yokai lore continues to pop culture and anime-- which if you're an avid watcher without a doubt have recognised some types of yokai. A popular Japanese animation definitely comes to mind when speaking about yokai lore and that is -- Studio Ghibli. The films by cofounders Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki and Isao Takahata incorporate Shinto connections, the Japanese way of life, paired with the presences of yokai and a sense of whimsy resulting in (and I think I speak for everyone) many films we've enjoyed watching growing up. The very popular No-face is one based on a folklore, from a creature called noppera-bo who posseses a blank face.
The yokai lore has been something that's fascinated me for a while and I hope to learn more about it. Understanding it's rich history and the influence it's had on Japan's culture, art, and tattoos I think is essential so I know how to create my very own and spread yokai friends and tell their stories everywhere!