A Japanese mangaka, illustrator and a leading researcher in youkai painting and youkai research. Although born in Osaka, he was raised in Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture. In 1943, during World War II, he joined army as a soldier under New Guinea Front - Rabaul. After many harsh war experiences, he lost his left arm in an attack by the US.

He debuted in 1958 with his work "Rocketman." From 1960, he started releasing one of his most famous works "GeGeGe no Kitaro" series. For a while he worked for rental magazines, until 1964, when he debuted for his first commercial magazine, i.e, Garo. As a youkai researcher, he has served as president of the World Youkai Association , a member of the Japanese Folklore Society, and a member of the Council of the Folk Art Society.