When I was a child, I was told a story. If I don’t go home after dark, a yake in the form of a bird, as large as a mountain, would take me away and I would never find my way home. Rather than becoming frightened, I grew fascinated with this monstrous creature. I searched for many years to find this mythical bird, when finally one day I met her, Ubume. She had been lying between the covers of Uji Shūi Monogatari.     Ever since, I have been transfixed by the stories in that book. Ubume was just the beginning for me. I eventually came to know all of the multitude of demons within. Through my collection, I wanted to bring these stories to life. I want to ensure that these stories, that I so cherish, will continue to be told. I see my work as part of their preservation. My wish is that the stories in Uji Shūi Monogatari will find new life in a foreign culture and inspire people like how they inspired me.