Wiki Category: Supernatural Literature

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Poet Family: Sugawara no Michizane (grandfather) Birth: – Death: – Sugawara no Fumitoki Sugawara no Fumitoki (菅原 文時) was the son of Sugawara no Michizane and had a poem in the Wakan rōeishū which went as follows: ‘Peach and Plum Blossoms do not speak. How many[...]

Kakurezato Kakurezato (隠れ里 – Hidden Village) is a type of yōkai/place depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This is the separate realm where yōkai, ghosts, mythical beasts, immortals and others not of this world live. This depiction of Kakurezato shows a celebration headed by Daikokuten, the god[...]

Hakutaku Hakutaku (白澤 – Bai Ze) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to come from China, and taught the Yellow Emperor how to counter hauntings of every type. It gave the Emperor a detailed guide to the 11,520[...]

Takirei-ō Takirei-ō (滝霊王 – Waterfall Spirit King) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to appear in waterfall basins of various regions. In the Blue Dragon Commentary it says all demons and calamities must submit to its authority. He[...]

Hōsōshi Hōsōshi (方相氏 – Fangxiang Shi – An Exorcist) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This creatures role is detailed in the 2nd Century Chinese Rites of Zhou which states: “The duty of Fangxiang Shi is to cover himself with bearskin, a[...]

Iyaya Iyaya (否哉 – Oh No!) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This is a sound response to seeing something. In the yōkai depiction it is when a beautiful woman catches her reflection in the water but she looks ugly.1 External Links View[...]

Ushirogami Ushirogami (後神 – The Kami Behind You) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. It is said that this kami accompanies the kami of cowardice. Whenever you think it is infront of you it will disappear behind you and pull your hair.[...]

Mekurabe Mekurabe (目競 – Stared On) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. The story around this creature states that one night Taira no Kiyomori woke up to see skulls everywhere in a dream, they mulitplied from 2 to millions. He stared them[...]

  Kyōkotsu Kyōkotsu (狂骨 – Crazy bones) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. The creature is a skeleton in a well, though it is portrayed as quite ghost like. The depiction of a skeletal looking bamboo pole against withered tall grass can[...]

Mokumokuren Mokumokuren (目目連 – Eye Eye) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. Sekiens desribes the creature as: ‘Spring mists leave no traces; gone like those who once lived in this abandoned house, now filled with eyes corner to corner. Perhaps it was[...]

Keukegen Keukegen (毛羽毛現) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This is a strange creature that is covered with hair, and it is said that sighting of this uncommon creature are rare. The name is written with the kanji Fur-Feather-Fur-Appearance.1 External Links View[...]

  Byōbunozoki Byōbunozoki (屏風覗 – Screen Peeper) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This is a type of spirit that can manifest from the grudge born of a woman not being able to be with her lover, the promise of meeting for[...]

Suzuri no tamashii Suzuri no tamashii (硯の魂 – The Haunted Inkstone) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. The story surrounding the creature states that a man had a fondness for the Akama-ga-seki (now Shimonoseki) inkstone he had. He fell asleep reading tale[...]

Bashō no sei Bashō no sei (芭蕉精 – Plantain Spirit) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This particular creature is said to come from China where plantain trees are said to sometimes take human form and tell stories when they do. These[...]

Yonaki no ishi Yonaki no ishi (夜泣き石 – The Stone that Wails at Night) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This particular stone can be found in the Sayo no Nakayama pass in Enshū. The story around it says that a pregnant[...]

Himamushi-nyūdō Himamushi-nyūdō (火間蟲入道 – Firebug Monk) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. They are also called Himamushi-yonnyūdō. This creature is said to form from the spirits of people who had floated through their lives and wasted them, transforming after death. They are[...]

Fūri Fūri (風狸 – Wind Tanuki) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This four legged creature is said to be able to barrel up cliffs and trees as fast as a bird can fly when driven by the wind. The creature is[...]

Ōzatō Ōzatō (大座頭) is a man portrayed as a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. He was a shamisen player, who performed at brothels, dressed in ragged clothes, wooden sandals and clutching a wooden cane. He was said to wanders streets on stormy nights.[...]

Hatahito Hatahiro (機尋 – Loom Span) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This particular creature relates to a grudge which says: A womans husband left her and so she abandoned her loom. The grudge transformed her intro a great serpent twenty spans[...]

Kosode no te Kosode no te (小袖の手 – The Kimono’s Hands) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This creature relates to a part of a womens soul which is said to remain in the clothing and other items that she wore. With[...]

Jatai Jatai (蛇帯) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. This particular creature is said to come about from the obi sash that has been worn by a jealous woman. It is a poisonous snake capable of wrapping iteself around a victim seven[...]

Onihitokuchi Onihitokuchi (鬼一口 – One Swallow of an Oni) is the act of an Oni swallowing a person whole. It is included in yōkai compendiums including the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien. One such tale can be found in the Tales of Ise in which the unnamed protagonist of[...]

Kidōmaru Kidōmaru (鬼童丸, 鬼同丸) is a type of yōkai, more specifically an Oni. It has been depicted by various artists, including in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi by Toriyama Sekien; though he merely calls him Kidō. Artistically in Sekien’s illustration, the scabbard is given a tiger-striped design; which coupled with the ox[...]

Ayakashi Ayakashi (あやかし) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This particular creature is portrayed by Toriyama Sekien as a sea creature with long tentacles said to dwell in the ‘Wester Sea.’ The tentacles themselves are so long they would take two to three days to slither[...]

Gangikozō Gangikozō (岸涯小僧 – River Terrace Boy) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to catch fish by the river side. Eating them with teeth as sharp as rasps. A lot of wordplay is used in the name of this creature. gangi-yasuri is[...]

Kosamebō Kosamebō (小雨坊 – Drizzle Monk) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to live on Mount Ōmine and Mount Katsuragi and can be found begging for alms on nights with gentle rain.1 External Links View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online.[...]

Ameonna Ameonna (雨女 – Rain Woman) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. Toriyama Sekien alludes in his portrayal of this woman that she is some form of rain spirit with the description alongside the creature stating: ‘I shall appear as a cloud to you in the[...]

Otogi Bōko The Otogi Bōko (御伽ばうこ – Hand Puppet Tales1) was a piece of kana-zōshi literature published in 1666 by Asai Ryōi. The book consists of 68 tales of which 21 were adapted from the Chinese novel, Jiangdeng xinhua.2 The books contains the first reference to the yōkai known as[...]

Aoandō Aoandō (青行燈 – The Blue Lantern) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to appear when the shadows flare as the last candle goes out and the room becomes plunged into darkness. Toriyama Sekien in his depiction of the creature mentions[...]

Minobi Minobi (蓑火 – Raincoat Fire) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi, also known as mino-mushi. This was a phenomenon in folklore which stated mino raincoats would at times spark during the rain. The only way to stop this was to remove the mino, but[...]

Kazenbō Kazenbō (火前坊 – Bonze Before the Fire) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to rise form the bones of those interred on Mount Toribe when smoke rises over the mountain. This site was also the area where Buddhist monks practised[...]

Oboro-guruma Oboro-guruma (朧車 – Gloom Cart) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. It is depicted as a travelling cart with a giant face. In essence it is not truly a creature, but a manefestation of the grudges of those who would try to find the best[...]

Momiji-gari Momiji-gari (紅葉狩 – Momiji Hunting) is a depiction of a woman with a connection to a particular demoness in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. In this depiction she is shown in a mountain, holding a long-handled sake pot. This particular creature relates to the Demoness known as Kijo (a possible[...]

Enenra Enenra (烟々羅 – Smokenet) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature was the smoke cast from fire to repel mosquitos away from the house of a poor man. The ‘En’ uses the kanji for smoke, with ‘Ra’ using the an archaic term for[...]

Kerakeraonna Kerakeraonna (倩兮女 – Cackling Woman) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. She is depicted as some kind of giantess who is seen cackling over a wall. It appears that Sekien has merged two concepts together in the portrayal of this creature. A huge character[...]

Kageonna Kageonna (影女 – Shadow Woman) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This particular creature is the shadow of a woman which is cast on the shoji doors in haunted houses.1 External Links View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online. Footnotes 1. Yoda,[...]

Jakotsubaba Jakotsubaba (蛇骨婆 – Snakebone Hag) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. The story concerning this creature related by Toriyama Sekien says that perhaps it comes from northern China as there are people there who bear a blue snake in their right hand and a[...]

Oshiroibaba Oshiroibaba (白粉婆 – Face Powder Hag) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to be the handmaiden of the kami for beni and oshiroi (lipstick and facepowder) by the name of Jifun-senjō. In his depiction of this creature Sekien partly quotes[...]

Kokuribaba Kokuribaba (古庫裏婆 – Hag in the House) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to have been the wife of a head priest from several generations ago. Now she spends her time stealing the money and offerings made to the temple and[...]

Dorotabō Dorotabō (泥田坊 – Mudman) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is described as a dark figure with three fingers (like an Oni) and only one eye who resides in one particular rice paddy. He is also heard to say the phrase “ta kaese![...]

Tōdaiki Tōdaiki (灯台鬼 – Candle Stick Demon) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This tale can be found in the Wakan Sansai Zue. This creature was made after Minister Karu (軽大臣) was sent to China as an envoy. Once he was there he was poisoned by[...]

Dōjōji no kane Dōjōji no kane (道成寺鐘 – The Bell of Dōjōji) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. The story behind this creature relates to the priest Anchin and his love Kiyohime. Kiyohime was the daughter of a wealthy merchant family and that her and[...]

Tengu tsubute Tengu tsubute (天狗礫 – Tengu Gravel) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. Sekien states that ‘when the wind blows through mountains and valleys the valleys respond by loosing boulders.’1 External Links View the book online here: Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Online. Footnotes 1. Yoda, H.[...]

Hōkō Hōkō (彭侯 – Penghou) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is the spirit of a 1000 year old tree said to take the form of a black dog with no tail. Sekien in his information here is quoting a 4th century Chinese[...]

Hangonkō Hangonkō (返魂香 – Soul-returning Incense) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This particular creature is a type of fictious incense that can conjur images of the dead in its smoke. The story related by Toriyama Sekien and this creature is that of the Chinese[...]

Ningyo Ningyo (人魚 – Mermaid) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This particular creature is made up of a human face and fish body with no legs. From the chest up it resembles a human, and below that resembles a fish. It is said to[...]

Ninmenju Ninmenju (人面樹 – Human-faced tree) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is said to live in valleys and take the form of human heads growing on a tree. They do not speak but laugh constantly, their laughter causing them to fall from[...]

Shokuin Shokuin (燭陰 – Torch Shadow) is a type of yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. This creature is a dragon with a human face, a body that is 1000 leagues long and is scarlet in colour. When he closes his eyes there is darkness, and when he opens[...]

Shinkirō Shinkirō (蜃気楼 – Mirage) is a type of mirage yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Hyakki Shūi. The creature itself is a type of giant clam capable of creating illusions out in the ocean. The mirage in question it creates is that of the city of Horai a fabled land[...]

Konjaku Hyakki Shūi Konjaku Hyakki Shūi (今昔百鬼拾遺 – More of the Demon Horde from Past and Present) is a compendium of Yōkai, demons and ghosts compiled by Toriyama Sekien, published in 1780/81. The books were inspired by the 10th Century Demon Horde’s Night Parade. These books, alongside the previous book, the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō, Konjaku Gazu Zoku[...]

The Greengrocer’s Daughter The Greengrocer’s Daughter is a tale stemming from the Edo Period and which led to the superstition of a woman born in the year hinoe-uma is a great worry for the family. The story goes that in 1681 there was a girl called Oshichi who fell in[...]

Wakan rōeishū The Wakan rōeishū (和漢朗詠集, Collection of Japanese and Chinese Poems for Singing) is a compilation of Chinese and Japanese poetry. This piece was solely edited by Fujiwara no Kintō,1 containing 216 Japanese poems and 587 Chinese couplets,23 compiled around 1013.2 The book was seperated into two books, one[...]

Hinode Hinode (日の出 – Sunrise) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This is not strictly a yōkai but is instead the act of the sun rising every day. Sekien notes that the night time is when the horde will run wild, but[...]

Amanozako Amanozako (天逆毎 – Heaven Opposes All) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. She was born from Susano-o after his chest filled with rage and he expelled it. And she herself had a child through virgin birth called Amanosaku. Her appearance[...]

Kanedama Kanedama (金霊 – Gold Spirit) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Sekien notes it is the essence of the metal element and that “[austere people] can sense gold and silver in the night.” He depicts the creature as gold koban[...]

Momonjii Momonjii (百々爺 – Old Man Momo) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Sekien muses that the creation of its name was from the combination of two other yōkai. The Nobusama, which is also known as momonga, and the Gagoji. When a[...]

Ōkubi Ōkubi (大首 – Giant Head) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien.  It is a giant head, with Sekien noting that anything in excess is scary, including the head of a woman with a caked black mouth. This creature may also[...]

Ōkaburo Ōkaburo (大禿 – Great Kaburo) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien.  Annotations alongside the Yōkai says that there was an immortal called Hōso who was some 700 years old and who called himself Yū-Jidō (Chrysanthemum Boy). Is this then what[...]

Tenjō-Kudari Tenjō-Kudari (天井下 – Ceiling Dropper) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. He states that this creature, who drops from the ceiling is no beauty. Extra notations alongside this creature talk of another creature who broke through a roof; this being[...]

Gaikotsu Gaikotsu (骸骨) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. He is a skeletal being, with Sekien depicting him coming out of some form of pot. Sekien includes annotations alongside the creature mentioning a poem by Keiun which reads: “Look within! What[...]

Buruburu Buruburu (震々) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien, with Sekien depicting the creature rising from a hole in the ground caused by a purposely up-rooted tree. Notes by Sekien alongside this creature say it is also known as Zozo-gami, the Kami[...]

The Wamyō Ruijushō (倭名類聚抄) is a piece of Japanese Literature compiled around 934 by Minamoto no Shitagō at the behest of Princess Noriko.1 It is also known as the Shitago ga wamyō.2 Background Wamyō Ruijushō This piece is the oldest Chinese-Japanese dictionary we have,1 with both a 10 and 20[...]

See also: Sugawara no Michizane Poems Period: Heian Period Occupation: Udaijin, Governor, Poet Family: Haji no Mimichi (ancestor) Sugawara no Koreyoshi (father) Sugawara no Fumitoki (grandson) Birth: 845 Death: 903 Sugawara no Michizane Sugawara no Michizane (菅原 道真/菅原 道眞) was a member of the Sugawara Clan living during the Heian[...]

Dodomeki Dodomeki (Hundred Eyed demon – 百々目鬼) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The origins for this creature are said to be found in a text known as the Kankan-gaishi which states a women born with long arms always stole people[...]

Hihi Hihi (比々) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien and various other literature. The creature is described as a beast from the mountains who preys on fierce animals. The depiction by Sekien shows the creature killing a wild boar.1 Other Depictions[...]

    Tsuchigumo Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien and various other literature such as the Bakemono no e. The creature is an oversized spider type of creature. Yōkai Connections It is said Minamoto no Yorimitsu killed one of[...]

For the Shinto spirit of the same name see: Nozuchi (Shinto) Nozuchi Nozuchi (野槌) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said be a spirit of flora and greenery. Another reference to the creature in the Shasekishū from 1238 says[...]

  Nobusama Nobusama (野衾) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It resembles a bat which is covered in fur with short limbs and long claws. The creature is said to eat nuts and fire, and is the supernatural equvalent of the[...]

Mujina Mujina (貉) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien and are known to be shapeshifters like the tanuki or kitsune. One story involving this creature details how it liked to take the form of a monk and would perform devotions everyday[...]

Mōryō Mōryō (魍魎) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature has many differing origins depending on the source consulted. Sekien uses the origins mentioned in the Wakan Sansai Zue which says this creature is a water kami the size of[...]

Jami Jami (邪魅 – Evil Spirit) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature is described as a type of ‘chimi‘ (Mountain Spirit/kami), with Toriyama stating it is the manifestation of uncanny malevolence. The text known as the Wamyō Ruijūshō (Japanese[...]

Itsumade Itsumade (以津真天) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Appearance wise the creature is said to have the head of a man and body of a snake. It has a crooked bill as well as saw teeth, with long sharp spurs[...]

Nue Nue (鵺) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to dwell in the mountains taking the appearance of a creature with the head of a monkey, limbs of a tiger and tail of a viper, according to[...]

Hone onna Hone onna (骨女 – Bone Woman) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. In the tale known as the Otogi Bōko (Hand Puppet Tales) by Asai Ryōi we see this tale first appearing. The tale itself talks of a woman[...]

Kejōrō Kejōrō (毛倡妓 – Dangling hair) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. She is depicted as a women hiding her face with her hair all the way down passed her chin. Sekien’s depiciton here is set in the Yoshiwara pleasure quarters[...]

Aonyōbō Aonyōbō (青女房 – A lady in waiting) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. She is depicted as a creature with unshorn eyebrows and blackened teeth. it is said she slinks around watching those who are better than her. The Ao[...]

Ganbari nyūdō Ganbari nyūdō (加牟波理入道) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said that you can find this type of creature in peoples toilets, but a way you can stop them from appearing is by chanting ‘Ganbari Nyūdō hototogisu‘ (Striving[...]

Hiyoribō The Hiyoribō (日和坊) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said that this creature dwells in the Mountains of Changzhou in China and will never be seen during times of rainy weather. It is only when the weather is[...]

Furutsubaki no rei Furutsubaki no rei (古山茶の霊) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This particular Yōkai is composed of the spirits of old camelia trees, with these spirits being said to sometimes take on a more human form as well as[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Nashitsubo no Gonin, Poet Family: – Birth: 911AD Death: 983AD Minamoto no Shitagō Minamoto no Shitagō (源 順) also known as Minamoto no Shitagau was a Heian Period poet living from 911 to 983AD.12 Later in life he became a Buddhist Monk and took the name[...]

Funa yūrei Funa yūrei (船幽霊 or 舟幽霊) is a type of Yurei depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The aimless spirits or ghosts are thought to represent hardship at sea. It is said that they will pull up alongside a boat and then deman ladles from[...]

Hitodama Hitodama (人魂) is a type of Yurei depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is represented as a kind of floating orb or fireball, which are state to be the souls of the dead. There are ways to ensure that when the supernatural apparears, your[...]

Period: Heian Period Occupation: Waka Poet, Statesman, Imperial Advisor. Family: – Birth: 802AD Death: 852AD Ono no Takamura Ono no Takamura (小野 篁) was a Heian Period statesman, living from 802 to 852, who was also known for his poetry.1 In 834 he was ship wrecked during a mission to[...]

Okiku Okiku (お菊)is a well known ghost in Japan. Known from the 1741 folktale by the name of Banchō Sarayashiki, she falls into the category of an Onryō (vengeful ghost) Harima Province Version Okiku was from Harima Province, working as a maid servant for the Samurai Aoyama Tessan. Tessan wanted[...]

Amefuri Kozō Amefuri Kozō (雨降小僧 – Rain Child) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Depicted with a hat formed of an umbrella, Sekien’s notes alongside the creature tell us that this creature was the ‘houseboy’ of the Rain kami Ushi. This[...]

Kawa Akago The Kawa Akago (川赤子 – Oil Baby) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to dwell high in streams up in the mountains and resemble human babies in appearance. There are thoughts they may related somehow[...]

Onmoraki Onmoraki (陰摩羅鬼 – Shadow Demon) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This particular creature is said to take the appearance of a crane with a black body and glowing eyes. When it flaps its wings it is known to give[...]

Wanyūdo Wanyūdo (輪入道 – Wheel Monk) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature itself takes the appearance of a huge wheel with the face of a monk upon it, the creature known to roll about the ground but also the[...]

Katawa guruma Katawa guruma (片輪車 – Single Wheel) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. More specifically she is a female spirit and can be seen as attached to a wheel. The story surrouding her states that there was a road in[...]

Abura akago Abura akago (油赤子 – Oil Baby) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Stories of this child, seemingly drinking oil from a lantern can find it origins in the town known as Hacchō in the city of Ōtsu; historically this[...]

Hikeshi baba Hikeshi baba (火消婆 – Fire Extinguishing Hag) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creatures takes the form of a an older woman, portrayed as extinguishing the fire from a lantern she stands next to. Notes alongside the image[...]

Haka no hi Haka no hi (墓の火 – Grave Fire) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is described as a strange type of fire spirit (like a human soul) which can been seen lingering around gorin; a gorin being[...]

Chōchin bi Chōchin bi (提灯火 – Lantern Fire) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is a type of atmospheric light in the form of a fire which can be seen to appear on the footpaths between different rice fields.[...]

Aosagi no hi Aosagi no hi (青鷺火 – Heron Fire) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is apparently a very old heron. It is said that aged herons have wings that would shine during the night. Their eyes are[...]

Kosenjō no hi Kosenjō no hi (古戦場火– Old Battle Ground Fire) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is a type of fire which is said to find its origins on the fields of battle. In places where thousands of[...]

Shiranui Shiranui (不知火 – Unknown Fire) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Now, this entitiy is not truly a creature, and more of a natural phenomenon. It is the name for strange atmospheric light in which lights seen upon the shoreline[...]

Hannya Hannya (般若) is a is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. However, the word has multiple meanings. It is a mask used in the Noh play Aoi no Ue, and is used to depict a jealous woman. Or a[...]

Ushinotoki-mairi Ushinotoki-mairi (丑時参 – Hour of the Ox) is a type of phenomenon depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The hour of the ox is not really a Yōkai but relates to a period of time when cursing is at its most powerful. This ‘Hour of[...]

Osakabe Osakabe (長壁) is a is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. The creature is known to live within Himeji Castle. According to tradition when Himeji Castle was extended, a local shrine was moved. In time, the local lord of[...]

Tamamo-no-mae Tamamo-no-mae (玉藻前) is a is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Description It is said she is far more dangerous than a general Kitsune and most depictions of her show her as a fox with 9 tails. The most[...]