The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films

The Encyclopedia of Japanese Horror Films, edited by Salvador Jiménez Murguía, was published in 2016 as a comprehensive reference guide to the genre. It serves as a structured academic attempt to categorize a vast landscape of cinema, moving beyond common tropes to provide historical context for both well-known international successes and obscure direct-to-video titles. The project reflects a period of heightened Western interest in Japanese genre cinema, aiming to bridge the gap between casual fandom and formal film studies.

The book is designed as a scholarly resource, organized to assist researchers and enthusiasts in navigating the complex evolution of the 'kaidan' tradition and contemporary J-horror. Jiménez Murguía curated contributions from various experts in the field, ensuring a breadth of coverage that accounts for societal shifts, technological impacts, and directorial styles. Upon its release, the volume was noted for its utility and dedication to cataloging films that had previously lacked English-language documentation.