Eggsquisitely Mythical #12: Japan
- Wera Niyom
- Mar 29
- 22 min read
Hello, fellow eggs and mythology lovers!
For our next Eggsquisitely Mythical issue, we are doing a deep dive on the myths and legends of Japan.
BACKGROUND
Japan is an island country located in East Asia. The capital and largest city in Japan is Tokyo. Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the entire world with 37 million residents. The national language is Japanese.
DEITIES
Ajisukitakahikone / Ajishikitakahikone / Ajisukitakahiko is the god of agriculture and thunder.
Amanozako is the ancestor deity of all yokai.
Amaterasu-Ōmikami / Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun. Her name means "shines from Heaven" or "the great kami who shine Heaven."
Amatsuhikone is the third son of Amaterasu.
Amatsumara is the god of ironworking and blacksmiths.
Ama-tsu-mika-boshi is the god of stars.
Amenohoakari is the god of the sun and agriculture.
Ame-no-hohi is the second son of Amaterasu.
Ame-no-Koyane is the god considered to be First in Charge of Divine Affairs.
Ame-no-Minakanushi is the Lord of the August Center of Heaven. One of the first deities that created heaven and earth.
Ame-no-Naemasu is the son of Futsunushi.
Ame-no-oshihomimi is the first son of Amaterasu.
Ame-no-Tajikarao
Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto is the goddess of dawn and revelry.
Ame-no-wakahiko is the god of grains.
Atago Gongen is the protector against fire.
Azumi-no-isora is the god of the seashore.
Benzaiten / Benten / Benzaitennyo is the goddess of everything that flows: words, speech, eloquence, and music. One of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Bishamonten is the god of fortunate warriors and guards and punisher of criminals. One of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Daikokuten is the god of wealth or of the household. One of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Ebisu is known as the "Laughing God." The first child of Izanagi and Izanami. One of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Fukurokuju is the god of wisdom and longevity, also a star god. One of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Fūjin / Futen / Kaze-no-kami is the god of wind, believed to be present during the creation of the world.
Futodama is an unknown god.
Futsunushi is the main deity of Katori Shrine, warrior god.
Hachiman is the god of war and divine protector of Japan.
Haniyasu no kami are two gods of earth, clay, and poetry.
Hoderi is the deity of the bounty of the sea and an enchanted fisherman.
Hoori is the god of cereals or grain.
Hotei is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Inari Ōkami / Ō-Inari is the goddess of rice and fertility.
Isetsuhiko is the god of the wind.
Ishikori-dome no Mikoto is the god of metalworking.
Izanagi is a creation deity.
Izanami is a creation deity.
Jurōjin is the god of longevity and one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.
Kagu-tsuchi is the god of fire.
Kamimusubi is the "Divine Creator", one of the creation deities.
Kanayago-kami / Kanayako-kami is the god of metal and metal-working.
Kawaya no Kami is the god of the toilet.
Kawa-no-kami is the god of rivers.
Kaya-no-hime is the goddess of vegetation, grass, and fields.
Kisshōten / Kichijōten / Kisshoutennyo / Kudokuten is the goddess of good fortune.
Kōjin / Sambō-Kōjin / Sanbō-Kōjin is the god of fire, the hearth, and the kitchen.
Konjin is the god of metals.
Konohanasakuya-hime is the goddess of Mount Fuji.
Kotoshironushi / Yae Kotoshironushi no kami is the earthly deity of Izumo Province.
Kuebiko is the god of knowledge and agriculture.
Kukunochi is the ancestor of trees.
Kukurihime no Kami / Kukurihime no Mikoto / Shirayama Hime / Shirayama Hime no Kami is a Shinto goddess.
Kuninotokotachi is a deity typically identified as genderless.
Kuraokami is the legendary dragon and Shinto deity of rain and snow.
Kushinadahime / Kushiinadahime / Inadahime is the goddess of rice, agriculture, marriage, love, childbirth, and child rearing.
Kuzuryū / Kuzuryūshin is a minor water god.
Mitsuhanome is a water deity.
Moreya / Moriya is the god of the Lake Suwa.
Nakisawame is the god born from Izanagi's tear after Izanami died after giving birth to Kagatsuchi.
Nesaku is the god of stars.
Nigihayahi-no-mikoto / Toshigami is an unknown god.
Ninigi-no-Mikoto / Ninigi is the grandson of Amaterasu.
Ōkuninushi / Ō(a)namuchi / Ō(a)namochi is the god of nation-building, farming, business, and medicine.
Omoikane is the god of wisdom and intelligence.
Omodaru and Ayakashikone are the sixth generation of heavenly gods.
Ōmononushi / Miwa-no-Ōkami / Miwa (Dai)myōjin is the god associated with Mount Miwa.
Oshirasama is the god of the home.
Otonoji and Otonobe are the fifth generation of heavenly gods.
Ōyama-tsumi / Ohoyama-tsumi / Sakatoke is the god of mountains, sea, and war.
Raijin is the god of thunder and lightning.
Ryūjin is the god of the sea.
Sarutahiko Ōkami is the god of the earth.
Seidai Myōjin is the god of sports.
Shinatsuhiko is the god of wind.
Sukuna-Biko-Na is the god of medicine and rain.
Suijin is the god of water.
Sumiyoshi sanjin is the gods of the sea and sailing.
Susanoo / Susanoo-no-Mikoto is the god of storms.
Tajimamori is the god of wagashi (sweets, confections).
Takamimusubi is the "High Creator", a god of agriculture.
Takemikazuchi is the god of thunder and swords.
Takeminakata is the god of wind, water, and agriculture. Patron god of hunting and warfare.
Takitsuhiko is the god who is believed to bring rain.
Tamanoya is the creator of Yasakani no Magatama.
Tamayori-hime is the mother of Emperor Jimmu.
Tatsuta-hime and Tatsuta-hiko are a pair of wind gods who bring autumn.
Ta-no-Kami is the god of the harvest.
Torento-no-kami is the god of support and gratitude.
Toyokumono is the second generation of heavenly gods.
Toyotama-hime is the daughter of Ryūjin.
Toyouke-Ōmikami is the goddess of food.
Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto is the god of the moon.
Tsunuguhi and Ikuguhi is the fourth generation of heavenly gods.
Ugajin is the god of harvest and fertility.
Ugayafukiaezu is the father of Japan's first Emperor.
Uhijini and Suhijini is the third generation of heavenly gods.
Ukanomitama is the god of food and agriculture.
Uke Mochi is the goddess of food.
Watatsumi is believed to be same god as Ryūjin.
Wakumusubi is the god of agriculture.
Wakahiru-me is the goddess of the rising sun.
MYTHICAL CREATURES
Animals
Karura is an anthropomorphic eagle.
Keukegen is a small-dog like creature that is covered in long hair.
Komainu is a pair of lion-dogs that guard the entrances to temples.
Mujina is a badger that can shapeshift.
Myōbu is a title given to the messenger foxes of Inari.
Nyūnaisuzume are sparrows that flew from the mouth of Fujiwara-no-Sanekata, an exiled poet.
Ōgama is a giant toad that can breathe rainbow-like smoke and wield a giant spear against those who attack it.
Shachihoko is an animal with the head of a tiger and the body of a carp. It's said it can create rainfall, so they are often built onto of roof ornaments of temples and castles to protect against fire.
Shisa is the Okinawan version of Shishi.
Shishi are lion-dogs that are known for guarding the entrance of temples.
Son Gokū is the monkey king, also known as Sun Wukong in Chinese mythology and Journey to the West.
Tsuchinoko is a snake-like creature.
Tsukinowaguma is a legendary bear.
Uma-no-ashi is a horse's leg that dangles from a tree and kicks those who pass by.
Waira is a large beast that typically lurks in the mountains.
Yamako is an ape-like cannibalistic creature that is capable of reading minds.
Yatagarasu are Amaterasu's three-legged crow.
Yofune-nushi is a sea serpent/sea monster that was known for terrorizing the Oki Islands. Every year, it would demand a virgin tribute.
Curses / Spells
Kitsunebi are flames that have been created by the kitsune.
Kuda-gitsune / Kuda-kitsune is a type of spirit possession involving a small fox.
Ushi-no-tokimairi is a curse that is typically done between 1 and 3 in the morning (also referred to as the "ox hour") by a black magic user.
Dragons
Mizuchi is a water dragon that's known to be dangerous.
Ryuu means dragon.
Wani is a water dragon/monster that looks like an alligator or crocodile.
Yamata no Orochi is a legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed dragon/serpent.
Zennyo Ryūō is a dragon that makes rain.
Fish
Akkorokamui is a giant Ainu monster resembling a fish or octopus.
Akugyo is an enormous species of mermaid found in the waters around Japan.
Amemasu is an Ainu creature resembling a giant fish or whale.
Bake-kujira is a ghostly skeleton of a whale that drifts along the coastline of Shimane Prefecture and is often accompanied by strange birds and fish.
Hyōsube is a type of kappa that is covered in hair.
Ikuchi is a sea serpent that travels over boats in an arc while its drips oil.
Isonade is a giant shark-like monster with a barb-covered tail.
Issie is a lake creature that is similar to the Loch Ness Monster.
Kappa is a water monster with a water-filled head.
Koromodako is an octopus-like demon that lives in the waters that border Kyoto and Fukui.
Namazu / Jishin-namazu is a giant catfish that dwells beneath the earth and causes earthquakes when it moves.
Ningen is an enormous white sea creature with humanoid features.
Ningyo is a fish person; mermaid.
Samebito is a shark-like creature that is believed to have black skin, emerald green eyes, a demon's face, and a dragon's beard.
Demons / Spirits / Ghosts
Abumi-guchi is a furry creature formed from the stirrup of a mounted military commander who worked for Yamata no Orochi.
Abura-akago is an infant ghost who licks the oil out of andon lamps.
Abura-sumashi is a large-headed spirit who lives on a mountain pass in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Akabeko is a red cow involved in the construction of Enzō-ji in Yanaizu, Fukushima.
Akamanto is a ghost in a red mantle that offers either red or blue toilet paper rolls in bathrooms, then kills whoever answers based on their choice.
Akaname is a spirit who licks off filth in untidy bathrooms.
Akashita is a creature that looms in a black cloud over a floodgate.
Akateko is a red child's hand dangling out of a tree, accompanied by a hypnotically beautiful woman standing beneath the tree.
Akkorokamui is a giant Ainu monster resembling a fish or octopus.
Akurojin-no-hi is a ghostly fire from Mie Prefecture.
Akubōzu is a spirit that lives in the ashes of hearths from Akita Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture.
Akugyo is an enormous species of mermaid found in the waters around Japan.
Amabie is a mermaid demon.
Amaburakosagi is a ritual-disciplinary demon from Shikoku.
Amamehagi is a ritual-disciplinary demon from Hokuriku.
Amanojaku is a small demon that instigates people into wickedness.
Amazake-babaa is an old woman who asks for sweet sake and brings disease to whoever answers, whether they give her any or not.
Amefurikozō is a little boy spirit who plays in the rain.
Amemasu is an Ainu creature resembling a giant fish or whale.
Ameonna is a rain-making female spirit.
Amikiri is a net-cutting, bird-headed, crustacean-armed, snake-bodied spirit.
Amorōnagu is a tennyo from the island of Amami Ōshima.
Anmo is a ritual-disciplinary demon from Iwate Prefecture.
Aoandon is the demonic spirit which arises from an andon lamp at the end of a Hyakumonogatari Kaidankai.
Aobōzu is a blue monk who kidnaps children.
Aonyōbō is a female ghost who lurks in an abandoned imperial palace.
Arikura-no-baba is an old woman with magical powers.
Ashimagari is a spirit which entangles the legs of travelers at night.
Ashinagatenaga are a pair of demons, one with long legs and the other with long arms.
Azukiarai / Azukitogi is a spirit that washes azuki beans on a shoreline.
Bake-kujira is a ghostly skeleton of a whale that drifts along the coastline of Shimane Prefecture and is often accompanied by strange birds and fish.
Bakeneko is a shapeshifting cat spirit.
Baku are supernatural creatures that take of the form of a tapir to devour dreams and nightmares.
Bashōnosei is a banana tree spirit.
Betobeto-san is an invisible spirit that follow people at night, making the sound of footsteps.
Binbōgami is a spirit that is known for bringing poverty and other such misery.
Buruburu is a spirit that clings to people, inducing cowardice and shivering.
Byōbunozoki is a tsukumogami that emerges from byōbu to spy on people.
Bakeneko is a shapeshifting cat spirit.
Chōchinbi are demonic flames which appear in the footpaths between rice fields.
Enenra is a monster that is made of smoke and darkness.
Enkō is a kappa from Shikoku and western Honshū.
Fūri is a monkey-like demon.
Funayūrei are the angry ghosts of humans who have died at sea.
Furaribi is a creature that is engulfed in flames and flies aimlessly.
Furutsubaki-no-rei is a soul-sucking plant.
Furu-utsubo is a quiver that belonged to slain archers.
Futakuchi-onna is a two-mouthed woman demon.
Gagoze is a demon that is known for attacking young priests.
Gaki are ghosts that perpetually starve, they are known to be especially greedy individuals.
Gashadokuro is a giant skeleton that is the spirit of the unburied dead.
Goryō are the vengeful spirits of dead nobles/martyrs.
Gozu and Mezu are two guards of the Underworld.
Guhin is another term for tengu.
Gyūki is another term for ushi-oni.
Daidarabotchi is a giant demon that is responsible for creating the geographical features of Japan.
Daitengu is the most powerful tengu, each lives on a separate mountain.
Danzaburou-danuki is a type of tanuki that is from Sado Island.
Datsue-ba is an old woman in the Underworld that removes the clothes or skin of the dead.
Dodomeki is a female demon with long arms that are covered in bird's eyes.
Dōnotsura is a headless humanoid-like demon that has its face on its torso.
Hakanohi is a fire which sprouts from the base of graves.
Hakutaku is a yak-like beast known for handing down knowledge on harmful spirits.
Hanako-san is a spirit of a young World War II era girl who inhabits and haunts school restrooms.
Haradashi is a creature with a giant face on its stomach.
Harionago is a woman with a thorn-like barb on the tip of each strand of her hair.
Hashihime is a woman whose jealousy turned her into an evil spirit, associated with the bridge at Uji.
Heikegani are crabs with the faces of humans on their shells, said to be the spirits of the warriors killed in the Battle of Dan-no-ura.
Hibagon is the Japanese counterpart of Bigfoot or Yeti.
Hiderigami are spirits said to bring droughts.
Hihi is a baboon-like Chinese demon.
Hikeshibaba is an old woman who extinguishes lanterns.
Hitodama is a fireball ghost that appears when someone dies.
Hitotsume-kozō is a one-eyed child spirit.
Hitotsume-nyūdō is a one-eyed monk spirit.
Hiyoribō is the spirit which stops rainfall.
Hoji is the spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae.
Hone-onna is a skeleton woman who seeks love but brings death.
Hyōsube is a type of kappa covered in hair.
Ibaraki-doji are the offspring of an oni.
Ikiryō are souls of the living.
Inugami is a dog spirit that has been created, worshipped, and employed by a family through means of sorcery.
Inugami Gyoubu is a type of tanuki.
Itsumade is a fire-breathing monster that is bird-like.
Iyaya is a woman whose face is an old man.
Jami is an evil mountain spirit.
Janjanbi is a type of fireball.
Jibakurei is a spirit that protects a specific place.
Jikininki are ghosts of evil individuals who have been condemned to eat human corpses.
Jinmenken is a human-faced dog spirit.
Jorōgumo is a spider demon that shapeshifts into an attractive woman to lure men.
Kahaku is another name for a kappa.
Kamaitachi is a demon that takes the form of a slashing sickle-clawed weasel and is known for haunting mountains.
Kamikiri is a demon that likes to secretly cut people's hair.
Kambarinyūdō is a monk spirit that likes to spy on people when they're using the bathroom.
Kanedama is a spirit that carries money.
Karasu-tengu is a crow demon.
Kasha is a cart-like demon that descends from the sky. It can also be a cat-like demon, but both versions are known for carrying away the corpses of evildoers.
Kawauso are river otter spirits.
Kawaakago is a river spirit that is known to pretend to be a crying baby.
Kechibi are fireballs with human faces.
Keneō is an old man in the underworld who weighs clothes.
Kijimuna are tree sprites that resemble red-headed children.
Kirin is the Japanese name for qilin in Chinese mythology.
Kitsune is a fox spirit.
Kitsune no yomeiri is the procession of ghost lights.
Kiyohime is a woman who transformed into a snake demon because of unrequited love.
Kodama are spirits who live in trees and are believed to be the cause of echoes.
Kokakuchō is a bird version of the Ubume.
Konaki-jiji is a demon that disguises itself as an abandoned baby to draw people in so it can crush those who approach it.
Konoha-tengu is the bird version of the tengu.
Koromodako is an octopus-like demon that lives in the waters that border Kyoto and Fukui.
Kosenjōbi is a fireball that floats over former battlefields.
Kotobuki is a chimera that has the head of a rat, the ears of a rabbit, the horns of an ox, the comb of a rooster, the beard of a sheep, the neck of a dragon, the back of a boar, the shoulders and belly of a tiger, the arms of a monkey, the hindquarters of a dog, and the tail of a snake.
Kubikajiri is a demon that takes the form of a headless beast and stinks of blood and eats the heads of its victims.
Kuchisake-onna is a demon that takes the form of a slit-mouthed woman.
Kudan is a demon that is a cow with a human face.
Kyonshī is a vampire.
Kumo Yōkai is a spider demon.
Kyōkotsu is a demon that takes the form of a skeletal figure and emerges from a well.
Mekurabe is a demon that takes the forms of skulls that multiply.
Menreiki is a spirit that is made of Gigaku masks.
Miage-nyūdō is a spirit that grows taller as fast as a person looks up to it.
Mikaribaba is a demon that takes the form of a one-eyed woman.
Mikoshi-nyūdō is a bald goblin that can extend its neck.
Misaki is a general term for various high-ranking divine spirits.
Mokumokuren is a demon that is a swarm of eyes that appears on a paper sliding door in an old building.
Mononoke is a general term for demons of unknown origin.
Morinji-no-kama is another name for a tanuki.
Mōryō is a general term used to refer to water demons that eat corpses.
Namahage is a demon from the Oga Peninsula.
Nekomata is a cat demon with two tails.
Nobusuma is a flying squirrel-like demon.
Noderabō are demons that stand near a temple bell.
Noppera-bō is a faceless ghost that likes to scare people.
Nozuchi is a demon that is fat and snake-like.
Nogitsune is a type of kitsune that is known to possess people.
Nue is a chimera that has the head of a monkey, the body of a raccoon dog, the legs of a tiger, and a snake-headed tail.
Nure-onna is a female snake-like demon that tends to appear on the seashore.
Nuribotoke is an animated corpse.
Nurarihyon is a demon that sneaks into houses during busy evenings.
Nyūdō-bōzu is a demon that grows taller the further someone looks up.
Obake is a group of various shapeshifting spirits.
Obariyon is a demon that rides piggyback on a human and becomes unbearably heavy.
Oboroguruma is a demon that is an oxen cart with a face in its carriage.
Oiwa is the ghost of a woman with a distorted face who was murdered by her husband. It is the most famous version of the Onryō.
Ōkaburo is a demon that cross-dresses.
Ōkami is a wolf spirit that can either take someone's life or protect it. It depends on the actions of a person.
Okiku is a plate counting ghost of a servant girl.
Ōkubi is a huge face of woman that appears in the sky and this typically is a omen for disaster or the cause of a disaster.
Okuri-inu is a ghost-like dog that follows lone travelers and attacks them if they trip.
Ōmukade is a giant human-eating centipede that lives in the mountains.
Oni is a classic Japanese demon that is an ogre-like creature with horns.
Onibaba: a demonic hag.
Onibi: a demonic flame that sucks the life out of those who come too close to it.
Onihitokucki is a one-eyed demon that kills and eats humans.
Onikuma is a bear demon that can walk on two legs.
Onmoraki is a bird-like demon that is created from the spirits of freshly dead corpses.
Ōnyūdō is a giant demon.
Onryō is a vengeful spirit that is formed from feelings like rage or sorrow.
Otoroshi is a hairy demon that perches on the torii gates of shrines and temples.
Osakabehime is a demon that takes the form of an old woman and can read and manipulate hearts. It resides in Himeji Castle
Raijū is a thunder beast. Its body is made of lightning and appears in the form of a white and blue wolf or dog. Though it's been represented as other animals as well. It is the companion of Raijin, the god of lightning.
Rōjinbi is a supernatural fire.
Rokurokubi is a demon that looks human that typically appears with one of the two characteristics: its ability to stretch its neck very far or to detach its head and have it fly around freely.
Sa Gojō is a water monster, also known as Sha Wujing in Chinese mythology and Journey to the West.
Sankai is a demon that is born to a mortal woman.
Sansei is a humanoid demon that has a single leg that is twisted backwards.
Sarakazoe is a ghost light that appears as a counting plate.
Satori is an ape-like demon that is known to read minds.
Sazae-oni are demons that resemble large mollusks.
Sesshō-seki / Tamamo-no-Mae are poisonous killing stones. It's said that Tamamo-no-Mae's spirit transformed into one of these killing stones.
Shibaemon-tanuki is a tanuki based in Awaji Island.
Shichinin misaki is a group of seven ghosts of humans who have died from calamities and accidents, especially drowning. They appear as a group of seven near water, such as oceans, seas, and rivers, to possess and kill one person. As a new person is killed, a spirit of the shichinin misaki are able to leave in peace and the person who has been killed will take their place. The number never decreases or increases.
Shidaidaka is a humanoid demon that can change its size and is known to appear above roads.
Shikigami is a small ghost that are conjured to follow the orders of their master (i.e., the person who conjured them). They are known to lose control by raiding and killing their master out of revenge.
Shinigami are gods or supernatural spirits that invite humans towards death.
Shiranui is a ghost light that has been seen over the seas in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Shiryō aresouls of the dead.
Shōjo is a red-haired sea sprite that loves alcohol.
Shōkera is a creature that is known for peeking in through a skylight of an old house.
Suiko is another name for a kappa.
Sunekosuri is a dog-like demon that is said to get into people's way when they're walking.
Shuten-dōji is an oni (demon) leader.
Taka-onna is a demon that is typically depicted as a tall woman.
Tamamo-no-Mae is a legendary nine-tailed fox who appears as a courtesan. She is known for her wickedness.
Tanuki is a raccoon dog with the ability to shapeshift.
Teke Teke is a vengeful schoolgirl spirit who appears with an half upper-torso body. She usually goes around killing individuals by slicing them in half with a scythe so they mimic her own disfigurement.
Ten is a shapeshifting weasel that is known to be mischievous.
Tengu is a demon that has two variants: a red-skinned man with a long nose or a bird-like demon.
Tenjōkudari is a female demon that crawls on ceilings.
Tenka are ghost lights, similar to will-o'-wisps.
Tenko is an elderly fox spirit that has reached the full extent of its power.
Tōfu-kozō is a demon that takes the appearance of a child with a tray of tofu.
Tsuchigumo is a clan of spider-like demons.
Tsurube-otoshi / Tsurube-oroshi is a demon that drops out of the trees to attack and eat those who pass the trees they lurk in.
Ubume is the spirit of woman who died in childbirth. They are known to linger to protect the child that was left behind.
Umibōzu is a giant sea spirit that appears on the surface of a sea.
Umi-nyōbō is a female sea monster who is known for stealing fish.
Ushi-oni / Gyūki is a term for a group of ox-headed demons.
Ushirogami is a one-eyed, footless spirit.
Uwan is a demon with black teeth and grotesque features that is known for the sound it makes when it's surprised. It typically had three fingers.
Wanyūdō is a demon which takes the form of a burning oxcart, with the tormented face of a human man.
Yamabiko is a mountain god, spirit, and demon that creatures echoes in mountains and canyons. It is said they resemble something between a dog and a monkey.
Yamajijii / Yamachichi / Yamanjii is an old spirit with one eye and one leg.
Yamaroshi
Yama-inu is a dog-like mountain spirit that may attack, kill, or be friendly towards a traveler they may come across on mountain roads.
Yama-uba is a crone-like demon.
Yashima no Hage-tanuki / Tasaburō-tanuki is a raccoon dog demon.
Yobuko is a supernatural monster that is believed to be the cause for echoing sounds.
Yōkai / Youkai are a class of supernatural entities and spirits.
Yomotsu-shikome / Shikome are hags of the Underworld. They are usually considered demons or women.
Yonakinoishi
Yōsei were believed and feared in the past that they could bring people back from the dead. The word is synonymous with "fairy."
Yosuzume is a bird yokai that appear at night.
Yuki-onna is a spirit/yokai snow woman.
Yūrei are ghosts.
Zashiki-warashi is a protective childlike house spirit.
Zunbera-bō is another name for a Noppera-bō.
God-like Creatures
Amanozako is a monstrous goddess.
Byakko is the Japanese version of the White Tiger in Chinese mythology.
Genbu is the Japanese version of the Black Tortoise in Chinese mythology.
Hakuja no Myojin is a white serpent deity.
Hō-ō is the Japanese version of the fenghuang in Chinese mythology.
Seiryū is the Japanese version of the Azure Dragon in Chinese mythology.
Shikigami is a small ghost that are conjured to follow the orders of their master (i.e., the person who conjured them). They are known to lose control by raiding and killing their master out of revenge.
Shinigami are gods or supernatural spirits that invite humans towards death.
Sōjōbō is the king and god of the tengu.
Suzaku is the Japanese name of the Vermillion Bird in Chinese mythology.
Tennin / Tenshi / Tennyo are the divine spiritual beings that are similar to angels, nymphs, or fairies in western mythologies.
Yamabiko is a mountain god, spirit, and demon that creatures echoes in mountains and canyons. It is said they resemble something between a dog and a monkey.
Yato-no-kami are snake deities that were known to kill the families of anyone who saaw them.
Zuijin is a type of god that guards shrine gates.
Human-like Creatures
Hōsōshi is a ritual exorcist.
Hotoke is a term used for a deceased individual.
Koropokkuru is a small person.
Momonjī is an old man who likes to wait for travelers at every fork in the road.
Nukekubi is a human-like creature that can detach its head from its body.
Onmyōji is a human who has demon-like powers.
Sunakake Baba is an old woman who throws sand in other people's faces.
Te-no-me: the ghost of a blind man who has his eyes on his palms.
Teratsutsuki is the ghost of a man who lived in the sixth century (CE).
Tesso is a priest who was disrespected by the emperor and became a swarm of rats to lay waste to a rival temple.
Ushi-onna is a woman in a kimono with a cow's head.
Yadōkai are former monk spirits who have become mischievous.
Yomotsu-shikome / Shikome are hags of the Underworld. They are usually considered demons or women.
Yubaba is a witch who can shapeshift and use telekinesis.
Objects
Aosaginohi is a term used to describe a luminescent night heron.
Bakezōri is a spirit that inhabits a straw sandal (zōri).
Biwa-bokuboku is a biwa lute that has been inhabited by a spirit.
Chōchinobake: a possessed chōchin lantern.
Hannya is a noh mask that represents a jealous female demon.
Hinode is a term for the sunrise.
Hoshi-no-Tama is a ball guarded by a kitsune and can give the one who obtains it power to force the kitsune to help them. It is said to hold some reserves of the kitsune's power.
Hyakki Yakō is a night parade of demons.
Ichiren-Bozu are animated prayer beads.
Ittan-momen is a possessed roll of cotton that tries to smother people.
Jinmenju is a tree with human-faced spirits.
Jatai is a folding-screen cloth that's come to life.
Jubokko is a vampiric tree that is known to grow on old battlefields.
Kameosa is a snake jar that's been possessed.
Kasa-obake is a paper-umbrella that's been possessed.
Katawaguruma is a type of firewheel, but it has the face of an anguished woman instead of a monk in a burning wheel.
Kosode-no-te is a possessed kimono.
Kunekune is a strip of paper that wiggles on rice or barley during summer.
Kyōrinrin are possessed scrolls or papers.
Nuppeppo is an animated lump of decaying human flesh.
Nurikabe is a wall that traps travelers at night.
Ōmagatoki is a word used to describe the moment when dusk in the spirit world and material world overlap.
Shirōneri are mosquito nettings or dust clothes that are possessed.
Suzuri-no-tamashii is an inkstone spirit.
Tsukumogami is an animated tea caddy that Matsunaga Hisahide used to bargain peace with Oda Nobunaga. However, nowadays, this term is used to refer to objects that are one hundred years old that have come to life.
Ungaikyō is a possessed mirror that can manipulate their reflection to resemble anything they want. If a human gazes into one, they will see a monstrous version of themselves in the reflection. It has also been used by humans to trap spirits.
Zorigami is an animated clock.
LEGENDS, MYTHS, AND FOLKTALES
Please note that this section doesn't cover all the legends, myths, and folktales. We thought we'd share the ones that sound interesting and inspire you all! We may share more stories at a later time.
TAMAMO NO MAE / SESSHO-SEKI / THE KILLING STONE
Tamamo no Mae is one of the most famous kitsune in Japanese mythology. She was a nine-tailed fox and one of the most powerful yokai (i.e., spiritual being) to ever exist. She was also labeled "Abe no Yasunai." She was born around 3,500 years ago, spending her time to become a powerful sorceress and eventually, a golden fox with great magical power. She used her abilities as a female kitsune and sorceress to influence human political affairs.
In Shang Dynasty China, she called herself Daji and disguised herself as a beautiful woman, going as far as becoming King Zhou's favorite concubine. She eventually brought disaster and caused the collapse of the Shang Dynasty. She escaped persecutors and fled to India in 1046 BCE.
In Magadha, India, she became Lady Kayō, a consort of King Kalmashapad (who was known in Japan as Hanzoku). She charmed him to do unspeakable things like killing priests. Eventually, the King's mind was purified by Buddhism, so she fled back to China.
She arrived during the Zhou Dynasty and gave herself a new name: Bao Si. She became one of the most desirable women in all of China, so she ended up becoming King You's concubine. She used her tricks to remove Queen Shen from her position and make her queen. However, she still was unhappy. In order to please her, King You resorted to evil tactics that all nobles abandoned him. He was killed and Bao Si was captured. In 771 BCE, the Zhou Dynasty ended, but Bao Si managed to escape her persecutors' clutches once again. She hid for many years, known to resurface as Wakamo in the 700s and stow away on a ship to Japan.
In the 1090s, she appeared to the humans a human baby, where a married couple would find her and take her in as their daughter. They named this baby Mikuzume. Her beauty and intelligence captivated everyone, so much so that she ended up reading poetry to the Emperor when she was just seven-years-old.
When she turned eighteen, there was a terrible storm that hit the palace, while they celebrated at a poetry and instrument recital held in Mikuzume's honor. A bright light emanated from her body, filling the room with light when the candles went out, and everyone thought she was a holy creature. From that day, she was named Tamamo no Mae and Emperor Toda declared her his consort.
Soon after, the Emperor became deathly ill. An onmyōji known as Abe no Yasunai was summoned to read the Emperor's fortune and detected he was marked by a bad omen. He gathered several high priests and monks to pray for the Emperor, but it was to no effect. When Abe no Yasunai read his fortune again, he discovered that Tamamo no Mae was the cause of the Emperor's illness. She was shortening the Emperor's life span so she could take over as the ruler of Japan.
To confront Tamamo no Mae, they prepare the most secret and powerful spell for all onmyōji, Taizan Fukun no Sai. Unaware of what they had planned, they invited her, thinking that an evil spirit couldn't participate in a holy ritual. She was initially reluctant, but they told her she would be perceived well in court and be liked more among the nobles, so she accepted. During the ritual, she recited the words, but when she waved the ceremonial staff, she disappeared, proving Abe no Yasunai's divination.
The Emperor summoned the best warriors to find and kill her. An army of 80,000 purified soldiers pursued her and found her when they reached the town of Nasuno. However, every time they found her, she would outsmart them with her tricks. This continued for several days, but the warriors refused to give up.
One night, one of the soldiers (Miuranosuke) had a dream in which a beautiful girl appeared to him, asking him to save her. He refused and woke up to try to search for Tamamo no Mae with his soldiers. The next day, they finally caught her by shooting an arm, killing her. However, her evil didn't vanish upon her death. One year after she died, so did Emperor Konoe. The year after, Emperor Toba died too. This ignited the Fujiwara-Minamoto rivalry, which eventually led to the Genpei War, the end of the Heian period, and the rise of the first shoguns. Her spirit also possessed a giant boulder that killed every living thing that approached or touched it.
That concludes today's discussion about Japanese Mythology. We hope you enjoyed learning about the enchanting myths and legends of Japan and how it influences their culture today.
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