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Jan 2, 2018 · It's been a while since we last took a look a Japanese Folklore, so today we explore the origins of one of the most iconic demons in Japanese Folklore, The Oni. If you enjoy mythology and...
- 6 min
- 924.9K
- Mythology & Fiction Explained
- What Are The Oni?
- What Are Yōkai?
- The Legend of Shuten-dōji
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Oni are figures in Japanese mythology and folklore most similar to demonic spirits. Depending on the story, they can be described as a demon, an ogre or a troll. Although they are most like these figures from European folklore, they aren’t exactly synonymous. Oni are typically portrayed as negative figures within folklore. They are known to tor...
Yōkai is a word that combines two Kanji symbols meaning ‘attractive,’ and ‘apparition.’ This is a great way to describe them, for they are spirits that are anything from mischievous to evil. However, these spirits can also be positive forces within stories, and often walk the line between good and evil. Oni are considered to be Yōkai, however, they...
One of the most infamous Oni comes from the Legend of Shuten-dōji. This character is considered the King of the Oni. It’s an old story and there are a lot of different versions, but Shuten-dōji is generally considered to have once been a normal man. His story goes like this: Shuten-dōji was an unusually intelligent and capable boy, after being shun...
So to conclude, the Oni are closest to demons in other parts of the world. They are terrible figures who terrorize Japanese folklore and are generally considered to be evil. The legend of Shuten-dōji is a story that explains the life and eventual downfall of one of the most notorious Oni, but they also commonly appear in other traditional stories. ...
How Can A Person Become An Oni?
In Japanese folklore, any person has the potential to become an oni, however, this only happens in scenarios of great distress or dishonor. If you follow some of the most common Shintomyths, the part of a person’s soul known as ‘aramitama’ can transform into an Oni if that person has been terribly wronged or insulted.
Why Do People Wear Oni Masks?
Over the years, Oni masks have been used in Japanese culture to represent a lot of different things. They are used in theatre, in religious ceremonies (usually to help dissuade any demons that might be lurking) and in the modern day, they are used as a cool costume for a variety of different occasions. For the most part, people now consider Oni to be symbolic creatures, so there is a lot less superstition about wearing clothing usually attributed to them.
- Tengu. Tengu is a legendary yokai that you’d likely have come across whilst exploring Japan. This popular folklore creature is often printed on arts and crafts and is featured in many cultural performances.
- Oni. Arguably one of the most famous yokai in Japan, the Oni is an ogre who is strong, fearsome, and mischievous. They are known to bring bad luck and disaster with them wherever they go.
- Umi-bozu. This sea creature is usually described as having a huge dark head that just appears out of the water. It’s said that when it appears, it will break through any boat that is nearby and kill its passengers.
- Yurei. Yurei are the most typical-looking ghost creatures within the yokai category. They are often depicted as floating white corpses, dressed in a draping kimono, with long black hair.
According to Japan’s techno-wizards, the northeast direction from which evil arrives is called “the demon’s gate” or the “Ox-Tiger” direction, based on the Chinese Zodiac. The latter supposedly explains why oni have long been portrayed with ox horns and wearing tiger-skin loincloths.
Jun 7, 2022 · Oni describes the mythical demon or ogre often appearing in Japanese folklore. Alongside other famous creatures like the Japanese kappa , the Japanese oni is one of Japanese culture’s most famous yokai (Japanese ghosts or spirits) demons.
Sep 28, 2022 · Did you know that Japan is populated by supernatural creatures, also known as yokai? Among them, the Japanese oni is a very popular demon in Japanese folklore. But, what is hidden behind this evil spirit?
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Mar 13, 2024 · According to Japanese mythology, Oni is a type of Japanese Yokai that have a daunting appearance and a barbaric nature. Yokai is the Japanese term for demons and they can also mean shapeshifters, ogres, evil entities, ghosts, etc.
