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Jul 24, 2023 · In folklore, oni are often characterized as malicious troublemakers, capable of terrible deeds like spreading disease and attacking humans. They’re also known to emerge from the abyss of hell itself — or Jigoku in Japanese Buddhism — to frighten mortals, or torment evildoers who are sent there.
- Alex Orlando
Particularly powerful oni may be described as kishin or kijin (literally "oni god"; the "ki" is an alternate character reading of "oni"), a term used in Japanese Buddhism to refer to Wrathful Deities.
Famous characters such as Shuten-dōji, the most renowned and powerful Oni in Japan, have become emblematic figures in Japanese mythology. Oni in Folktales and Traditional Stories. Oni feature prominently in traditional Japanese folktales, where they serve as both antagonists and cautionary figures. These stories often illustrate moral lessons ...
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.”.
Oni (鬼) are one of the most well-known and iconic figures in Japanese folklore. These supernatural creatures are often depicted as fearsome demons or ogres with a variety of appearances and roles, ranging from terrifying villains to more neutral or even protective figures.
1. Giant Size and Strength. Oni are often depicted as towering giants, many times larger and stronger than humans. Their immense size and strength make them formidable opponents, and in stories, they are known for their brute force and destructive power.
Among the many stories of oni in Japan, the legend of Shuten-dōji is by far the most well-known. It has been rendered in countless works of traditional arts, including picture scrolls and ukiyo-e, jōruri storytelling, and noh, kabuki, and bunraku theater performances.
