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- Yokai are Japanese demons that can come in many shapes and forms, from shape-shifting animals to demonic monsters. They can possess a physical form but can also be spirits that evaporate into thin air.
sugoii-japan.com/most-popular-yokai-japanese-legendary-creaturesThe 20 Most Popular & Scariest Yokai: Japan’s Legendary Demons
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Why should you learn about Japanese yokai?
Japanese yokai in popular culture often includes elements of the cute, comical, the goofy, and the bizarre. Some creatures appear in both Chinese and Japanese folklore as yaoguai and yokai, such as the scaly water shuihu (水虎), wilderness demons denoted as chimeiwangliang (魑魅魍魉), and nine-tailed fox demons (九尾狐).
- Amabie. Amabie, 2003, Kyoto University.
- Tatsu. Tatsu (Dragon) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 19th Century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
- Kirin. Kirin by Kikuoka Mitsuyuki, 18th Century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
- Ningyo. Ningyo (Mermaid) by Tadayoshi, 19th Century, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
- What Are Yokai?
- 15 Demons and Spirits from Japanese Myths
- Summary
Supernatural and mysterious, yokai are legends of Japanese folklore. A connection to the spiritual world, the yokai can be human shaped, beastly animals, and even possessed objects. Yokai might seem unusual to Western audiences, but they feature heavily in classical and even modern Japanese fiction. In recent years, the legends of yokai have spread...
Kitsune
Perhaps the best known Japanese yokai, Kitsune are fox spiritswith a reputation for mischief. Japanese legend has it that all foxes possess the ability to transform into humans, and they often use this power for trickery. A distinctive feature of the Kitsune is their numerous fluffy tails — they can have up to nine! A Kitsune with nine tails is old, wise, and powerful. One famous yokai fox spirit is Tamamo no Mae. Sometimes appearing as a beautiful woman, Tamamo no Mae was the favored courtes...
Kappa
Shaped like a human with green skin and webbed hands and feet, Kappa are yokai that resemble a cross between a human and a turtle. On their back, the Kappa carry a turtle-like carapace. They live in the water, but occasionally venture onto land. Kappa can be largely benevolent, but they’re also known for luring people into the water. Although cucumber is the favored food of the Kappa, some will drown and eat unsuspecting humans. Despite their small size, the Kappa is said to possess immense s...
Tengu
The Tengu is among the most famous of the Japanese yokai, with an appearance that’s mutated throughout the centuries. Often, the Tengu appears as a cross between monkey, human, and bird of prey. Tengu frequently have red faces, long noses, and feathered wings. Early depictions of the Tengu show them as enemies of Buddhism (see also ‘Do The Japanese Practice Buddhism? – Japanese Religions Explained‘). They would lead monks astray, and the sight of the Tengu was a harbinger of war. However, the...
The stories of the yokai are wide and diverse. Some yokai, such as the Kitsune and the Tengu, are known across the world, and have featured in movies and TV shows. Other yokai stem from localized stories, and the details change from province to province. With a history stretching all the way back to Ancient Japan, many yokai have changed and mutate...
Oct 28, 2022 · Yokai are supernatural creatures of the Japanese folklore, sometimes also considered as specters or demons. They come in various appearances, and can look like animals, humans and even objects. Those who encounter yokai can be affected by their actions negatively as well as positively.
Sep 22, 2024 · Yōkai are a fascinating and diverse group of supernatural creatures, spirits, and demons from Japanese folklore and mythology. They are deeply rooted in Japan’s cultural heritage, appearing in traditional stories, literature, art, and popular media for centuries.
In Japan the creatures and strange phenomena of folklore have been known historically by a variety of terms, including mononoke, bakemono and obake, but most commonly today they are called yōkai, a word that has become a catchall for everything spooky—from creepy monster, to ghostly spirit, to mysterious phenomenon.
