Wiki Tag: Yokai

Rashōmon no oni Rashōmon no oni (羅城門の鬼 or 羅生門の鬼) was an oni said to have dwelt in the Rashōmon Gate of Heian-kyō. He is said to have been taller than the Gate, with hairy arms, eyes that flash like mirrors and flames which shot out of its mouth. The only salvation for[...]

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[...]

Dōmeki The Dōmeki (百目鬼) is a type of japanese Yōkai known to have had one hundred eyes on each arm. Fujiwara Hidesato is said to have fought against this creature. This particular creature may have inspired Toriyama Sekien‘s Dodomeki.1 Footnotes 1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The[...]

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[...]

This page refers to the creature known as the Wani, for the person see: Wan’i Wani The Wani is a supernatural creature mentioned a few times in Japanese texts. One reference can be found in the Nihongi where it says the kami Kotoshironushi turned into a Wani before coming together[...]

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. Historically this word was used to describe those who would not[...]

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[...]

Yamata no Orochi Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ, also 八岐大蛇 , 八俣遠呂智 or 八俣遠呂知, 大蛇) was a giant serpentine Dragon mentioned in the Shinto Mythologies in association with Susano-o. The Dragon and Susano-o can be found in old texts such as the Kojiki and Nihongi.12 The appaearance of the Dragon in[...]

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[...]

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[...]

Obariyon Obariyon (オバリヨン) also known as Onbu-obake is a type of Japanese Yōkai known to dwell within forests and moutainous regions. They are nocturnal creatures, said at times to be vageuly humanoid, though appearance have varied as they always appear from behind and in dim light. Some say they are[...]

Aka Manto Aka Manto (赤マント – Red Cape) is a strange disembodied spirit (or perhaps Yōkai) said to haunt bathrooms. It also goes by the name of Akai-kami-aoi-kami (赤い紙青い紙 – Red Paper, Blue Paper). In relation to the Aka Manto it is said the voice will approach you asking if[...]

Hitotsume Kozō Hitotsume Kozō (一つ目小僧 – One Eyed Boy) is a type of Japanese Yōkai. Should you run into this creature you will find one which has the appearance of a small child, however, they have extraordinarily long tongues and one large central eye in their forehead. They will be[...]

Tōfu Kozō Tōfu Kozō (豆腐小僧 – Tofu Boy) is a type of Japanese Yōkai whose origins we can trace back to the 18th century. Appearance wise you will see a creature who is reminiscent of a small boy who will be walking around at night time. He will be wearing[...]

Samebito The Samebito is a type of Yōkai known from the story called ‘The Gratitude of the Samebito.’ The creature is said to have in general the body of a man, but with skin that is pitch black in colour. He will have eyes that glow like emeralds, and he[...]

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[...]

Zenki and Goki Zenki and Goki (前鬼 & 後鬼) are two well known Oni with strong associations with the founder of the Shugendō Religion, En no Gyōja. Said to have dwelt in the mountains ranges close to Nara, they would regularly terrorise the people there by taking their children. En[...]

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. Origins to her tale can be found in the Chinese book Substitute for Drunkenness by Langye. The story states that she is a fox spirit who, once known[...]

Teratsutsuki This is a redirect page for the Teratsutsuki. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years.[...]

Hashi-Hime Hashi-Hime (橋姫) is a is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. Notes by Sekien state this creature has a shrine next to the Uji Bridge in Yamashiro Province. Tales of her can be found in the Tale of the[...]

Shuten-dōji Shuten-dōji (酒呑童子) is a is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. This creature is said to live on Mount Ōe where he keeps his treasure pile. Upon this mountain he also steal from travellers passing over it. He is[...]

Hanadake Tengu This is a redirect page for the Hanadake Tengu. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the[...]

Karasu Tengu This is a redirect page for the Karasu Tengu. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the[...]

Zunberabo This is a redirect page for the Zunberabo. We are a wiki as well as a Blogs site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years. And we[...]

Nupperiho This is a redirect page for the Nupperiho. We are a wiki as well as a Blogs site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years. And we[...]

Nopperabō The Nopperabō (のっぺらぼう) , also known as Zunberabo and Nupperiho are a type of Yōkai known to have a face completely devoid of features. However, there are other tales which states they merely lack eyes and a nose. There name is a pun on the Japanese word ‘nopperi,’ which[...]

Nyūnai Suzume This is a redirect page for the Nyūnai Suzume. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the[...]

Mojabune This is a redirect page for the Mojabune. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years.[...]

Tate Eboshi This is a redirect page for the Tate Eboshi. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the[...]

Umikozō This is a redirect page for the Umikozō. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years.[...]

Umimyūdō This is a redirect page for the Umimyūdō. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years.[...]

Kanbo This is a redirect page for the Kanbo. We are a wiki as well as a Blog and podcast site which is constantly and steadily growing. Bringing to you all aspects of Japanese history. It is going to be a project which will expand continuously over the coming years.[...]

Umibozū The Umibozū (海坊主 – Sea Monk) is a type of Japanese Yōkai known to dwell far out in the deep ocean.1 Other Names This creatures goes by several other names, two of which are Umimyūdō and Umikozō.2 Other areas of Japan gives the creature even more names. On the[...]

Satori The Satori (覚) is a is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. It is said to be a ‘kaku‘ which dwell in the mountains of Hida and Mino Provinces. The ‘kaku‘ is short for ‘kakuen‘ which is a legendary type of[...]

Suiko Suiko (水虎 – Water Tiger) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki and the Wakan Sansai Zue, it’s home is said to be the Sushui River in China. This creature has the shape of a small child, and resembles a pangolin, with knees that[...]

Hiderigami The Hiderigami (魃 – Drought Bringer), also known as the Kanbo (旱母 – Drought Mother) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki and the Wakan Sansai Zue. It’s home is said to be on Mount Ganshan in China. According to sources, it has the body of a beast but[...]

Sansei Sansei (山精 – Mountain Spirit) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki and the Wakan Sansai Zue. It is stated as a type of mountain Oni, dwelling in Anguo, China. The creature is humanoid in appearance, but only has one leg. The Wakan Sansai[...]

Oni The Oni (鬼) are a type of Yōkai depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien. They are generally portrayed as enormous muscular creatures with either red or green skin, as well as having horns. They are said to wear loincloths or tiger-pelt togas, and are known[...]

Ōmagatoki Ōmagatoki (逢魔時), also known as Twilight or The Hour of Meeting Demons, is a time when people would hide indoors with their children as unnumbered phantoms would appear to prowl the streets outside. This period of time is depicted in the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki, a compilation of Yōkai,[...]

Uwan The Uwan (うわん) is a type of Yōkai seen in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. It is portrayed as a clawed creature which haunts abandoned homes, however, little is actually known about this creature. It is perhaps named after the generic word for ‘monster’ in Kagoshima and Kumamoto[...]

Ushioni The Ushioni  (牛鬼 – Ox Demon) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. Sekien depicts the creature with more of a normalized creatures body, however, older depictions have shown this creature with the head of a bull and body of a spider (like[...]

Nuppeppō The Nuppeppō (ぬっぺっぽう) is a kind of featureless blob type Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. The creatures name can be found derived from the word ‘nupperi’ which is something that is slack faced, or having a dazed expression. Sekien shows the creature in front[...]

Akashita The Akashita (赤舌 – Red Tongue) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. Sekien shows the creature to be appearing from a cloud, hovering over the top of a sluice gate. The name of the creature uses the same Kanji for the[...]

Ouni The Ouni (苧うに) is a hag like Yōkai, which can be seen in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. This creatures has the alternative names of ‘Wau-wau’ and ‘Au-au’ from older illustrated scrolls. Sekien in his depiction of this Yōkai uses the kanji ‘O’ from the ramie plant which was[...]

Aobōzu The Aobōzu (青坊主 – Blue Monk) is a type of one eyed monk Yōkai seen depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. In his depiction his is shown in front of tea house, though no explanation to the history of this creature is provided. It is possible that[...]

Gagoze The Gagoze (元興寺, also known as Gangoji) is a type of Yōkai, depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. He is a kind of bogeyman from and is still used in Tokushima Prefecture and Awaji Shima to scare crying children into being quiet. The Kanji used to[...]

Nurarihyon The Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. He holds a special position within the ranks of the Yōkai as he is now seen to be the ‘leader’ of them. However, it wasn’t until 1929 that this belief began after[...]

Nureonna The Nureonna (濡れ女) is a type of serpentine, female Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. Often this creature is depicted with wet hair which is plastered against its head. However, depictions made by Toriyama Sekien show the creatures with waving hair as well as arms.[...]

Nuribotoke The Nuribotoke (塗仏) is a type of Yōkai depicted in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. The creature, which is an animated corpse, is depicted as having dangling eyes and darkened skin. Within older depictions of the Yōkai we see the creature as having jet black skin, often[...]

Otoroshi The Otoroshi (おとろし) is a type of Yōkai mentioned in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō and Hyakkai Zukan. The name of the creature can find its origins from the Japanese word ‘osoroshii‘ meaning scary and ‘odoro‘ meaning a weedy patch of land. The creature is said to dwell in abandoned and[...]

Waira The Waira (わいら) is a type of Yōkai mentioned in the Gazu Hyakki Yagyo and Hyakkai Zukan. This strange creature is depicted as being a flabby type of being with a single claw for a hand. Sadly not much more is known about this Yōkai.1 Other Depictions External Links[...]