Enryō’s mystery studies received recognition from society, and his fame spread so much that he became known as “Mystery Doc” and “Dr. Specter.” In modern times, yōkai are seen as “cute” monsters rather than as a threat, and the world of yōkai has become a popular subculture, the subject of anime, movies, and novels. Historically speaking, yōkai cul-ture began to appear in paintings and writings during the Edo period (1603–1868). Some researchers argue that this indicates the establish-ment of this world. However, this is only the opinion of enthusiasts, and for most regular people, yōkai were things rooted in everyday life that caused feelings of fear and torment. They were not things to be spoken of openly in society. It was none other than Dr. Spector, In-oue Enryō, that stood unashamedly in front of people and discussed these shadowy yōkai in a scholarly way. Today, Enryō might only be talked about peripherally alongside “Ghostbusters,” but in actuality he changed history by creating the platform for today’s yōkai culture. In January 1896 Enryō published an advertisement in the journal of the Philosophy Academy, Oriental Philosophy, asking for funds for the establishment of a new oriental studies department and an accom-panying library. For this purpose Enryō purchased around eleven thousand square meters of land in Haramachi, Koishikawa ward (present-day Toyo University Hakusan campus) in 1895 and around fifteen hundred square meters in 1896, for a total of around twelve thousand square meters. This land was next to the home of Katsu The “Fire Disaster” and Moving to New School Grounds 110
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