The Japanese demons ( Oni ) And other ghostly and monstrous creatures are common in Japanese popular culture.
From time immemorial, There has been talk of the presence of these monstrous creatures in the Japanese country . Even Japan's oldest historical source, Kojiki or Furukotofumi: Chronicles of ancient facts of Japan , Tells about the existence of youkai (Ghosts) And oni.
It is interesting to note that the oni, unlike the youkai, had in their majority a look similar to the one of the humans. Although they can also have zoomo aspect R Of inanimate objects.
One of the most important sources of Japanese folklore is Gazu Hyakki Yakō or "The illustrated night parade of hundreds of demons" , book of Toriyama Sekien Published in 1781. This cartoonist is one of the most important representatives of the Japanese stamp, genre of autochthonous painting of Japan. Sekien specializes in drawing folk motifs.
List of 19 Japanese demons
1- Amanojaku
This demon is able to see the darkest desires of a person and provoke him to use those desires against him.
He Amanojaku or Amanjaku Is considered a small demon and is usually represented as a rock. He likes to instigate people to fulfill their darkest and most forbidden desires.
It is known by the folk legend of Urikohime or the Melon Princess. This legend tells that a little princess was born of a melon and was raised by an elderly couple who protected her from the outside world. One day the princess is deceived by the Amanojaku and and This is eaten in front of the elderly couple.
2- Joro-Gumo
Why do men disappear? It tells the legend of Joro-Gumo that there exists a giant spider capable of transforming into a beautiful woman and seduce any man.
This monster is dedicated to attracting men who have been lost in the forests or who wander incautious through different cities without being settled in any. According to legend, when the men are trapped by the beautiful woman, she changes her form and catches them and then eats them.
3- Namahage
Is there a whimsical child around? It is one of the questions that the devil does Namahage , A traditional f Rhythm Re of the peninsula of Oga.
This character is considered to visit family homes on New Year's Eve and punishes children who misbehave or are crying. This demon has become one of the main characters of the Japanese festivals, since it teaches children to behave well.
It is considered that the devil can teach a lesson to children who do wrong, so during this celebration parents remind their children to maintain good behavior.
4- Dodomeki
According to folklorists and culturists, the legend of the devil Dodomeki Reflects the belief of the Japanese, that people with long hands tend to steal. It is considered that this demon had long arms and hands full of eyes.
The eyes are also a reflection of old coins that were used in Japan and were called"birds eyes"or chōmoku. According to popular tradition, this demon shot fire and spat a poisonous gas.
5- Kodama
The sound of the forest is a cry of a kodama. These Are spirits that inhabit the trees, although trees are also called Kodama. According to the Japanese legends est The plants Can curse the woodcutter who dares to cut them, that is why many Japanese pray to the trees to ask permission and forgiveness before cutting them.
The echo in the mountains is usually attributed to these demons. Other legends tell that people listen to the Kodama when they die and that you can talk to these trees in deep forest places.
6- Uwan
Does any noise scare you into an old Japanese house? If so, then a Uwan He is trying to talk to you. It is considered that the Uwan have no body and live in old or abandoned homes.
Your scream can pierce the ears to whoever hears it. They do not exist physically and are only sounds that do not represent a great physical danger. On the other hand, there are several descriptions of these creatures. According to the Edo period , yes They have a body that re or Ne various objects and fragments of the homes where they live.
7- Kasha
Also called Chariot of fire, is a demon or creature who steals the bodies of people who have died and who would have done wrong and committed many sins during his life. Kasha collects the evil energy from cemeteries and funerals to get stronger.
The Japanese have developed a methodology to protect the bodies of the Kasha. According to some legends Kasha are cat-like demons Nekomata or Bakeneko , Who seize the souls of sinners and lead them to hell.
8- Women demon (kijo and onibaba)
Vengeful women become demons. According The Japanese folk tradition , Women who have been betrayed by their husbands, or girls and grandmothers who have been abused or mistreated, can become demons or monsters. Las j young boys Are calls Kijo And the grandmothers are called Onibaba .
One of the most famous legends of young demons is the story of Kiyohime. According to the Japanese folklore, Kiyohime was the daughter of the head of a town that was called Shōji. His family received travelers passing through the village.
Kiyohime fell in love with a monk who once visited his village. The monk Anchin also fell in love with her but only admired her beauty without following his passions. This upset Kiyohime, who decided to follow the monk.
The monk escaped the Hidaka River and asked the sailors not to help the girl across the river, so Kiyohime threw himself and decided to swim to the other side. When she swam, her fury made her turn into a snake.
The monk, seeing this, took refuge in a temple asking the priest of the temple to hide it Ie In a bell. Kiyohime followed him and found the bell. Spitting fire through his mouth, he melted the bell and apparently killed the monk. Kiyohime is considered a serpent woman who kidnaps men in the villages.
9- Onibi
Have you seen a floating blue fireball? It can be a Onibi.
The onibi Are floating fireballs that are formed with the spirits or S of humans and vengeful animals, who have remained in the world of the living. In the per Edo, it was considered that the flying torches had the ability to steal the souls of the people who approached them. According to some legends these torches accompany other more powerful demons.
Ten- Tengu
Are they birds or dogs? Although the word Tengu translates as"heavenly dog", these creatures are considered to be birds. Some consider youkai and other gods.
In folk sources it is described to The Tengu as winged humanoids, who can also trans S Completely formed in birds. In many stories, the Tengu are crows. The Japanese Buddhist tradition considers them demons of war that announce bad news. The Tengu live in mountains that they protect with their powers.
11- Nopperabo
Why do not the Japanese walk at night through dark streets? It is due to the presence of Nopperabo. Is about A ghost who has no face and walks down the dark street looking down.
If someone greets you, this monster turns around and attacks whoever greets or frightens him. That's why the Japanese are afraid to greet strangers in dark streets.
12- Enenra
Only people of the pure heart can see them enenra. It is considered that these pyres of fire are youkai, which can take human form. The first time this monster was described in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi in 1781 Was told the legend of an enenra, which emerged each night from the fire of the pyre and walked through a village.
13-Tsuchigumo
Why do not Japanese hunters go into the woods at night? The Tsuchigumo are strange creatures with tiger bodies, a spider's legs and a demon face.
These monsters are relentless and eat the unsuspecting scouts, who walk during the night. Usually fear paralyzes the victim because of how grotesque these cr I Aturas
14- Ningyo
Are there mermaids in Japanese mythology? Ningyo or pe Ces in the form of Human are Beings , As the sirens in Popular tradition Europe to , Which in Japan are considered a symbol of calamity.
According to some legends, the Japanese sirens t in in Mouth monkey and fish teeth, your skin shines, as your esca M ace They are Golden S Or voice is as soft as the sound of a flute. further HE Considers that they are l or Ngevas and if someone proves their meat can live also for many years. They can hide their true shape by becoming ordinary fish.
Count the legend of Happyaku Bikuni that a fisherman invited his friends to dine the fish he had caught. One of the fishermen could talk and asked him not to eat it. The man understood that this fish was not normal and left it in the kitchen, while in the dining room with his friends. But his daughter who knew nothing about this fish, killed it and cooked it. His father, realizing, tried to stop her, but it was too late.
At the end of the party, the father explained what happened to his daughter, but apparently nothing was wrong with her. Time passed and Both forgot this event. After the death of the father , When the girl was married and already a woman or Come, she told herself or account from Which does not age.
Her husband grew older every year, while she stayed the same. Her husband died and the woman emigrated to another city and married again. Thus 800 years passed, and the woman married multiple times without aging.
In the end, she became a nun and traveled many places. But the loneliness was too much, so he returned to his hometown and took his own life.
15- Kamaitachi
Who attacks the peasants and steals their crops? The Kamaitachi are monsters that look like weasels and usually attack in groups of three.
They usually cause deep wounds on the legs of peasants with sickles that are tied in their paws. The wounds of the Kamaitachi are painless. These beings attack so quickly that they are imperceptible to the human eye.
16- Gashadokuro
Drought and famine cause the peasants to die and create monsters like the Gashadokuro. This demon is a Giant skeleton Which is formed from the bones of all the people that They died during Droughts Y famine S .
This monster attacks the living, as it wants to quench the famine of those who died during the time of crisis. This monster is full of negative energy from all the victims.
17- Hyousube
Who eats the harvest of the Japanese peasants? Hyosube Is a demon with aspect of Dwarf com E eggplant and live in The orchards Of peasants . It's travies or Y Reckless, as any R That you look at the Eyes, Will die Slow and painfully. These Beings They walk Blatantly in the night.
18- La Yamamba
He is considered a demon by some and by others a deity. It is an old-looking creature that sometimes helps those who are lost in the woods to find their way home, but other times they eat the humans they encounter. It is a female spirit of the mountains and adopts very varied forms in legends from different regions of Japan.
19- Rokurokubi
Who stole the oil from the lamps? He Rokurokubi Is a woman who by day is extremely beautiful and at night lengthens her neck to drink the oil from the light lamps.
It is considered non-aggressive and lives among humans. Its great beauty allows it to attract men. S According to some legends Uses the vital energy of these to feed.
In conclusion, it can be affirmed that mythology and folk Lore Japanese are very rich. Despite the influence of Chinese mythology, Japanese mythology is indigenous and has been enriched thanks to Buddhism and Shinto traditions.