Takashi Shimizu's Ju-on franchise was a principal instigator in the rise of contemporary Japanese horror and its international popularity at the turn of the millennium. Following the success of Hideo Nakata's Ringu (1998), the first cinematic release of Ju-on: The Grudge in 2002 crystallized Japanese horror's rise to prominence and outlined the new decade's thematic interest in supernatural technology and fear of contagions, while skillfully navigating domestic social concerns, such as Japan's growing elderly population and domestic violence. This Devil's Advocate explores the production roots of Ju-on The Grudge, followed by a critical reading of the film that highlights its essential themes and motifs, in addition to a section on cultural influences, before concluding with a section on Shimizu's continued involvement with the Ju-on franchise and its ongoing legacy. The book serves as an excellent primer for readers without prior knowledge of Japanese horror or the Ju-on film cycle, while providing fresh perspectives on the film that makes it equally appealing to J-horror aficionados.

The Play-Party in Oklahoma.--B. Botkin. Folk-Lore Relating to Texas Birds.--J. Strecker. Tall Tales for the Tenderfeet.--A. Penn. Fishback Yarns from the Sulphurs.--J. Deaver. Paul Bunyan:Oil Man.--J. Brooks. Pipeline Days and Paul Bunyan.--A. Garland. Le Loup Blanc of Bolivar's Peninsula.--P. Tucker. Pioneer Folk Tales.--M. Atkinson and J. Dobie. The Corn Thief-A Folk Anecdote.--J.raddock. The Texas Pecan; The Man in the Moon.--G. Bludworth. Follow the Drinking Gourd.--H. Parks. Some Negro Folk-Songs of Texas.--M. Bales. Six Negro Folk-Songs.--N. Smith. Confidences from Old Nacogdoches.--M. Emmons. The Ghosts of Lake Jackson.--B. Dobie. How Mr. Polecat Got His Scent.--K.O'Connor. De Pot-Song.--P. Throop. Notes on Some Recent Treatments of Negro Folk-Lore.--R. Law. Some Characteristics of Cowboy Songs.--N. Gaines. More Ballads and Songs of the Frontier Folk.--J. Dobie.

Budget report for 1929/31 deals also with the operations of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1928 and the estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1929.