Inugami

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Inugami and Shirachigo
Depiction in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyo.

Inugami and Shirachigo

The Inugami (犬神 – Dog kami) is a type of yōkai depicted in the gazu hyakki yagyō alongside the creature Shirachigo (白児 – White Child). The Inugami is also seen in the hyakkai zukan.

The Inugami has associations with Western Japan and the island of Shikoku, here venerated as powerful spirits capable of possessing, protecting, and cursing humans. Normally depicted in Buddhist robes, Toriyama Sekien depicts them wearing the clothes of a Shinto Priest.

The Shirachigo is depicted alongside this creature (in the gazu hyakki yagyō) acting as a Scribe. Sekien here may be depicting the concept of Spirit Possession (kamigakari), for discerning the will of the kami.1

The depiction of the creature in the hyakkai zukan (below) show the creature in the garb of Buddhist robes.

Other Depictions

Hyakkai ZukanBakemono no e

External Links

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

List of Supernatural Creatures

Abura akago * Aka Manto * Akaname * Akashita * Amanozako * Amefuri Kozo * Amikiri * Aōbozu * Aonyobo * Aosagi no hi * Buruburu * Chochin bi * Dōjōji no kane * Dōmeki * Dorotabō * Enenra * Funa Yurei * Furaribi * Furutsubaki no rei * Gaikotsu * Ganbari Nyudo * Gagoze * Gensuke * Haka no hi * Hangonkō * Hannya * Hashi-Hime * Hiderigami * Hikeshi baba * Hinode * Hitodama * Hitotsume Kozō * Hiyoribo * Hōkō * Hone Onna * Hyōsube * Ikiryō * Inugami * Jakotsubaba * Jorōgumo * Kamaitachi * Kamikiri * Kanedama * Kageonna * Kappa * Kasha * Katawa Guruma * Kawa Akago * Kawauso * Kitsunebi * Kejoro * Kerakeraonna * Kodama * Kokuribaba * Kosenjo no hi * Kurozuka * Makurageishi * Mikoshi * Momonjii * Nekomata * Ningyo * Ninmenju * Noderabō * Nopperabo * Nuppeppō * Nurarihyon * Nureonna * Nuribotoke * Nyūnai Suzume * Obariyon * Ōkaburo * Ōkubi * Okiku * Ōmagatoki * Oni * Onmoraki * Osakabe * Oshiroibaba * Otoroshi * Ouni * Rokurokubi * Sakabashira * Samebito * Sansei * Sarakozoe * Satori * Seta * Shinkirō * Shirachigo * Shiranui * Shōkera * Shokuin * Shuten-dōji * Sōgenbi * Suiko * Takaonna * Tamamo-no-mae * Tanuki * Tenasobi * Tenjō-Kudari * Tengu * Tengu Tsubute * Tenome * Teratsutsuki * Tesso * Tōdaiki * Tōfu Kozō * Tsurubebi * Ubagabi * Ubume * Umibozū * Umizatō * Ushinotoki-mairi * Ushioni * Uwan * Waira * Wani * Wanyudo * Yamabiko * Yamauba * Yamawarawa * Yanari * Yukionna * Zenki and Goki

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