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Japanese Ghosts, Spirits, & Demons

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A Creature Covered with Hair?

I have always found the diverse spirits, ghosts, and demons of Japan to be the most interesting, shocking, and sometimes hilarious of all of the world's mythical creatures. Japan has a long and colorful history of fascinating folklore that is influenced by the primary religions in the country - Shinto and Buddhism. There are so many striking creatures that decorate Japanese folklore with the most peculiar stories behind them.

This list is not meant to come close to being complete. After all, I couldn't possibly include everything here. This list is to serve as an introduction to the wonderful world of Japanese creatures of folklore. It should certainly get you hungry to learn more if this is your first introduction to the subject.

Enjoy!

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Akaname

Image Credit: WikipediaAka-name, meaning "filth licker," is a strange creature that appeared in Toriyama Sekien's famous Gazu Hyakki Yako. It is likely that this creation was based on the aka-neburi, a creature that lives in dilapidated houses and public bathrooms. It was said to appear in especially dirty areas in which filth and grime had accumulated for it to lick.

This is most likely a scary story that was told to children to get them to wash up after themselves in the bathroom.

Pretty funny creation. No?

Yokai

Meaning literally monster, demon, or spirit, the Yokai are a group of supernatural creatures in Japanese folklore.

Yokai 

Bakeneko

Image Credit: WikipediaThe bake-neko (monster cat) is a cat with paranormal abilities. Regular cats, in Japanese folklore, would become monster cats in a number of ways. Some of these circumstances included having a long tail, reaching an old age or reaching a certain weight.

The bake-neko would have shape-shifting abilities and haunt the household in which it was kept. Some Japanese were said to have become so afraid of their cats becoming bake-nekos that they cut their tails off.

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Oni

The Oni are popular in Japanese literature and art. They include demons, devils, ogres or trolls.

Keukegen

Image Credit: WikipediaKeukegen means "fluffy hair appearance" or, when written in a different kanji, "an unusual thing which is rarely seen." The latter seems appropriate since a creature made of long hair isn't something you see every day - or ever.

The Keuegen is said to live in dark, moist places where it causes those close to it to fall ill.

Kitsune

The fox, or "Kitsune" in Japanese, is believed to have magical powers and shows up a lot in Japanese folklore.

Image Credit: Wikipedia

Kitsune 

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Ittan-momen

Image Credit: MonstropediaThe Ittan-momen, or "one-tenth hectare of cotton," is a curious piece of cloth that flies around and attacks people by wrapping around their faces. If one manages to win their trust, they enjoy being worn.

The Ittan-momen has made many appearances in various animes. There was even a similar creature in the popular Harry Potter series called "Lethifold." Lethifold, for those of you who are not Harry Potter fans, was a cloak that attacked and devoured its victims.

Yuki-onna

The Yuki-onna is a popular character in Japanese folklore. She is a spirit with inhuman beauty that appears on snowy nights, able to strike terror into the hearts of those who come across her path.

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Yuki-onna 

Japanese Ghost Stories & Legends Ep.1 :The Story of Okiku

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Kappa

Image Credit: WikipediaThe kappa is a water sprite that has different forms in Japanese folklore. They seem to serve the purpose of warning children of the dangers of what looms in waters. There are similar variations of this creature in Germany, Scandinavia, and Scotland.

Kappas are typical depicted as reptilian humanoids with scaly skin. They are troublesome little creatures that like to partake in all types of mischief - some of which is relatively harmless.

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Norman A. Rubin: Ghosts, Demons and Spirits in Japanese Lore
Belief in ghosts, demons and spirits has been deep-rooted in Japanese folklore throughout history.
Ghosts, Demons and Spirits in Japanese Lore
Belief in ghosts, demons and spirits has been deep-rooted in Japanese folklore throughout history.
Monstropedia
Monstropedia is the ultimate universal encyclopedia of monsters in myth, legends, magic and art.

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anticloud

I am a graphic designer and freelance writer living in the humid south with my adorable son, quirky husband and crazy dog.

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