Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2010

Courtesy of Idea International

As investment options go, it’s certainly an odd one. The Yokai Fund, a new initiative that aims to spread the joys of traditional Japanese spooks and monsters, is currently seeking financial backers. Shares cost ¥30,000 a piece, and money raised will be used for “various yokai projects” (no, we’re not sure what that means either). Thankfully, there are also cheaper ways to support the cause: in collaboration with design store Idea International, the Fund is producing a line of highly covetable daruma dolls, made by traditional artisans from Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture. There are 24 different varieties available so far, including eight based on characters from Shigeru Mizuki’s monster-tastic manga GeGeGe no Kitaro, with plans to produce 120 in total.

¥2,100 each. Available at branches of Idea International (www.idea-in.com) and select department stores. www.yokaifund.jp