Investigating the calm inside a hurricane
Akaname, which roughly translates to “filth licker,” are one of many yokai that dwell in bathrooms, baths, and toilets. Living off of grime, mold, and scum, they can only be found in the most derelict of washrooms.
Buruburu are tall, ghostly figures that feed off the fear of humans. Usually, they’ll latch on to a particularly cowardly individual and follow them around with their hands resting on their shoulders or shirt collars, sending shivers down the unlucky host’s spine.
Tsukumogami are a group of kami, or spirits, that inhabit inanimate household objects. These spirits are known to possess anything from kimono robes to temple bells and brooms. While some tsukumogami are harmless, others are known to take the lives of users who mistreat them.
Kappa are mischievous, water-dwelling yokai. They look like bipedal reptiles, but are helplessly clumsy on land. Respected by some as river gods while detested by others as mischievous nuisances, their behavior can be unpredictable.
Chochin-obake are born from old, decrepit paper lanterns. When the paper begins to tear, a mouth forms, and a giant tongue will roll out from inside. Eventually, eyes will develop as well, and the yokai will spend the rest of its days frightening its unsuspecting victims.
Kyokotsu directly translates to “crazy bones.” They are yokai that come from bodies that were improperly disposed of by being thrown down a well, and they spend the rest of their days rising from out of their wells to scare people hoping to collect water.
Nure onna are sea serpents with the body of a giant snake and the head of a woman. Usually found near the shores of Japan’s southern islands, they subsist exclusively on the blood of their victims and are consequently known as vampire serpents.
The most fearful type of yokai, the oni, usually take on the appearance of large orcs or ogres. Shuten doji is the king of the oni, and is very close to the top of the entire yokai food chain. Shuten doji translates to “little drunkard,” a nickname given to him due to his excessive drinking habits.
Yamauba are old witches that live in the rural hills of Japan. They occasionally offer up their huts to weary travelers, but once their guests fall asleep the yamauba capture and eat them.
Tamamo-no-Mae is one of the most famous spirits in Japanese folklore. Sometimes appearing as a human, sometimes as a nine-tailed fox, she was known during her mortal lifetime to have an insatiable lust for power, and even tried to assassinate the emperor.
The yuki onna is the snow woman of the mountains. She is known to lurk in the deep, shadowy passes and crevices of the treacherous northern mountains, and sap the energy and life force from individuals traversing the dangerous terrain.
Shōji is the term for the paper sliding walls that are found in most traditional Japanese houses. These walls are, of course, very fragile, and if they are torn there’s a chance a mokumokuren will inhabit the tears in the shōji in the form of eyes peering into the rooms of the house.
The kasa obake are one of the goofier yokai, and don’t cause very much harm. They take the form of old paper umbrellas, with a giant eye and a long, protruding tongue. While not exactly dangerous, they do have a proclivity for sneaking up on humans and giving them a big lick with their massive tongue!
The kanbari nyudo is another yokai that is not particularly violent, but can still be very frightening. They only appear on the eve of the New Year, and lurk outside public restrooms to spy on people. They are said to be covered in patches of thick hair.
If a tree is cut down, made into a pole or a pillar, and then placed back in the ground upside down, it can grow very angry and become a sakabashira. In addition to moaning loudly at night and creaking incessantly, they are also known to bring bad luck upon the people that placed it in this disorienting position.
The legend of the ashiarai yashiki dates back to the Edo period. The story tells us that one night a giant, dismembered foot broke through the roof of a samurai’s house. The foot demanded to be washed, and after the servants scrambled with buckets and mops to clean the terrifying foot as soon as possible, the foot rose back up through the roof and disappeared.
When bears reach a certain age in Japan, they sometimes transform into onikuma, or spirit bears. Onikuma are admittedly not much different from normal bears, but they can grow to be much larger than any of their mortal counterparts.
The uwan is an elusive yokai that is known much more for its sound than its appearance. It lurks around temples and old buildings, waiting for an unsuspecting victim. Hiding behind a corner, the uwan lets out a blood-curdling scream, and is rejuvenated by the fear it causes.
Gaki, or “hungry ghosts,” are tortured souls who live in a type of purgatory between worlds. These poor spirits are doomed to wander with an insatiable hunger, able to eat but never able to be full.
Late at night in old, wooden houses, the yanari yokai come out to play. The yanari are tiny, humanoid spirits whose only goal is to make noise. All night long they will scamper around the house, banging on the furniture and stomping on the floors.
The ushi oni, whose name translates to “ox demon,” is a massive, fearsome oni yokai that is usually found near the coastal waters on the west coast of Japan. These violent creatures are usually described as having the head of an ox and the body of a spider.
Sources: (Owlcation) (Yokai.com) (Grunge)
See also: Why people see ghosts, explained
Sometimes, when soldiers die in battle and aren’t given a proper burial, they turn into massive spectral skeletons known as gashadokuro. They haunt the battlegrounds where they lost their mortal bodies, and are quick to attack anyone who crosses their path.
Nurikabe literally translates to “painted wall,” and that is precisely what they are. Nurkabe cause no physical harm, but they will materialize in front of travelers and stretch to the left and right until they meet another barrier, making it impossible for the traveler to cross.
The jorogumo are spiderlike yokai that are said to prey on young men who are looking for love. Jorogumo begin their lives as normal golden orb-weaver spiders, but once they reach 400 years of age they gain magical powers and a more human-like form.
Yamawaro are short, one-eyed, humanoid creatures who dwell in the mountains. While not particularly malicious demons, yamawaro are known to harbor an intense hatred for cows, and will attack cattle on sight.
The funayurei are said to be souls of lost sailors searching for their former shipmates. Doomed to haunt the high seas for eternity, these apparitions can be seen only when the Moon is either new or full, and are known to capsize unlucky ships.
Japan has one of the most expansive and colorful folklore canons in the world. Hundreds of spirits of all shapes, sizes, and demeanors are thought to coexist with humans in the cities, mountains, trees, and waters of Japan. These creatures are known as yokai, which translates to "strange apparition." Some of them are fearsome, some seductive, and others are simply mischievous. Together, they make up a fascinating spirit world that is intertwined with ours.
Intrigued? Read on to learn more about Japan's strangest spirits.
Meet the spirits, demons, and ghosts of Japan
Yokai, oni, and everything in between
LIFESTYLE Folklore
Japan has one of the most expansive and colorful folklore canons in the world. Hundreds of spirits of all shapes, sizes, and demeanors are thought to coexist with humans in the cities, mountains, trees, and waters of Japan. These creatures are known as yokai, which translates to "strange apparition." Some of them are fearsome, some seductive, and others are simply mischievous. Together, they make up a fascinating spirit world that is intertwined with ours.
Intrigued? Read on to learn more about Japan's strangest spirits.