Our Story

The Yokai club started when I felt trapped in my 9-5 job. Like the most of us, the thought of going back to our corporate jobs was mentally draining. My girlfriend always wanted to get a haanya mask tattoo which represents layered emotions of pain, jealousy, and transformation. But her parents dismissed it as something devilish. This made my friends and I realize how misunderstood Japanese folklore is in India.

Inspired by her interests in the tales of Japanese folklore, specifically the Yokai being the mischievous and mysterious spirits, we saw this as an opportunity to connect people with these stories, a way to express it even if tattoos weren’t an option. That’s how the idea of The Yokai Club was born —a streetwear brand that’s all about celebrating the art and soul of Japanese folklore.

It wasn’t just about escaping my mundane job—it was about creating something meaningful. And, we realized there were no brands in India celebrating the Japanese folklore in this way. The t-shirt being our canvas, and each design telling its own story capturing the very essence of Japanese folklore while still staying modern. 

Each design reflects deeper themes, like the Hannya mask’s complexity of human emotions or the Tengu’s wisdom and protection. These aren’t just visuals; they’re wearable expressions of resilience, transformation, and identity.

The Yokai Club fills a unique niche, offering clothing with meaning, rooted in storytelling and cultural appreciation. We’re still in our early days, but the response has been heartening. For us, it’s not just about T-shirts; it’s about celebrating culture and empowering self-expression. My friend may still wait for her tattoo, but she now wears our Hannya mask T-shirt with pride—a symbol of resilience and the spark that ignited a dream