Jack Stoneman

Jack Stoneman is an Associate Professor of Asian & Near Eastern Languages at Brigham Young University. His work focuses on Japanese folklore, cultural history, and supernatural studies. He has contributed to prominent media outlets like Smithsonian Magazine and Atlas Obscura, analyzing topics such as the 19th-century healing spirit Amabie during the pandemic era and Japan’s early-modern exotic animal trade. Stoneman has curated exhibitions at the Harold B. Lee Library, including ‘Ukiyo-e Heroes’ (2019) and ‘Japan’s Ghouls, Goblins, Ghosts’ (2019), and maintains the Bakemono no e website documenting Japanese supernatural imagery. His research bridges historical folklore with modern cultural narratives, emphasizing public engagement through exhibitions, podcasts, and digital platforms.

Stoneman’s academic contributions include interviews on Japan’s imperial transitions and collaborative projects like the ‘Bakemono no e’ Wikipedia initiative. His work often explores how traditional cultural elements like yokai (supernatural beings) adapt to contemporary contexts, reflecting broader themes of resilience and cultural memory.