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What Are The Oni? 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.
Oni, written in kanji as 鬼, is read in China as guǐ , meaning something invisible, formless, or unworldly, in other words, a 'ghost' or the 'soul of the dead'.
Oni, in Japanese folklore, a type of demonic creature often of giant size, great strength, and fearful appearance. They are generally considered to be foreign in origin, perhaps introduced into Japan from China along with Buddhism.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Chinese character for oni essentially means “a ghost,” or “a formless spirit.” The Japanese word oni, though, refers to corporeal beings but ones that are hard if not impossible to perceive, since their name is reportedly a corruption of “on” and “onu,” meaning “to hide.”
おに. Translation: ogre, demon. Habitat: Hell; remote mountains, caves, islands, abandoned fortresses. Diet: omnivorous; especially livestock, humans, and alcohol. Appearance: Oni are one the greatest icons of Japanese folklore.
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.
Apr 11, 2023 · In Japanese folklore, Oni (鬼) are a type of supernatural demon or ogre, often depicted as horned, red-skinned, and fierce-looking creatures. These yokai have played a significant role in Japanese culture, art, and storytelling for centuries, and are still very much a part of modern-day Japanese popular culture.