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Feb 13, 2021 · Yokai is not simply the Japanese word for demon, as is sometimes believed. They are the embodiment of a moment: a feeling of dread and bewilderment, or awe and wonder over an extraordinary event; or a strange sound or peculiar scent that demands an explanation; an ineffable phenomenon explained only by a supernatural entity .
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- 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.
- 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.
Japanese oni (鬼), on the other hand, are evil beings that have substance, live in certain places in the human world, such as mountains, have red or blue bodies with horns and fangs, are armed with kanabō (metal clubs), and can be physically killed by cutting with Japanese swords.
Yōkai are often referred to as Japanese spirits or East Asian ghosts, like the Hanako-san legend or the story of the "Slit-mouthed girl", both of which hail from Japanese legend. The term yōkai can also be interpreted as something strange or unusual.
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.
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.
