Eric Faure

Eric Faure, an extraordinary storyteller and scholar, has devoted decades to unraveling Japan's most enchanting legends. Since 1993, he has called Kyoto his home—a city steeped in history and overflowing with tales waiting to be discovered. When not inspiring students in the lecture halls of Kyoto’s universities, Eric embarks on captivating explorations through the city's archives, libraries, and streets, seeking the mysteries whispered by time.

His passion culminated in a remarkable series of books published between 2003 and 2009 by Éditions L'Harmattan. Not stopping there, Eric achieved academic acclaim in 2018 with a doctorate from INALCO, delving deep into recurring themes in Japanese folklore. Regular appearances in French and Japanese media reflect his dedication to sharing these narratives.

In 2020, Eric unveiled his magnum opus: the anthology Japon légendaire. Sparked by his daughter’s curiosity for his legendary tales, this groundbreaking collection presents fifty original stories in each of its five volumes, with Fifty Tales of Yokai standing out as an especially enthralling exploration. Its unparalleled scope makes it a treasure for readers.

Building on his success, Eric’s 2023 publication From Kyoto to Dazaifu: A Journey Through the Legends of Ancient Japan examines how history transforms into legend, focusing on Sugawara no Michizane (845–903)—an enduring figure in Japan’s cultural tapestry. With every book, Eric Faure brings the mesmerizing world of Japanese legends to vivid life, bridging past and present with his unparalleled scholarship.

In 2024, he publishes Yoshitoshi, The Last Great Master of Ukiyo-e, the first monograph dedicated to the printmaker Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892).