PRINCETON NJ Announcement

Spirits Among Us: Yokai Paintings by Minako Ota @Princeton Public Library

Princeton, NJ — Princeton Public Library is hosting Spirits Among Us: Yokai Paintings by Minako Ota, a two-month exhibition of 25 original paintings exploring the world of yokai—supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. The exhibition will be on view from May 1 through June 26, 2026, in the Library's second-floor Reading Room.

Minako Ota, a Japan-born local artist, has in recent years focused on painting animals, developing them within her own distinct visual language. Since last year, she has turned her attention to yokai, drawing inspiration from classical Japanese literature and visual traditions. Her work reflects a unique synthesis of artistic training: traditional Japanese painting techniques developed during her studies at an art university in Tokyo, combined with over 20 years of experience in the US and Europe working in Western painting conservation. This hybrid practice lends her yokai both historical depth and contemporary immediacy.

An opening reception will be held on May 14 at 6:00 PM in the Community Room, featuring an artist talk by Minako.

The exhibition is the centerpiece of a broader series of yokai-themed events, including:

• A yokai painting workshop on May 17
• A fan art contest for teens
• A talk by yokai blogger Aki on June 23 at 6:00 PM in the Community Room

Together, these programs invite visitors of all ages to engage with yokai not only as cultural artifacts, but as living, evolving forms of imagination.

For more information, please visit www.princetonlibrary.org