Umibōzu (海坊主)
A bald, monk-like yokai that emerges at sea. Suddenly rising from the waves, it is reputed to bring misfortune and terror to seafarers.
Kiyohime (清姫)
A yokai born of a tragic love story. Representing extreme passion and jealousy, she appears both beautiful and terrifying.
Karasu-Tengu (烏天狗)
A crow-like tengu known for its dark appearance and supernatural strength, sometimes acting as a guide while also intimidating.
Ushi-oni (牛鬼)
A monstrous yokai with features reminiscent of a cow, including horns and a robust build. Often roaming mountains and swamps, its fierce appearance is a staple in ghost stories.
Hihi (狒々)
A yokai resembling an oversized ape. Said to be the transformed spirit of an old monkey, it is notorious for its brutality and destructive force.
Nekomata (猫又)
A cat that has transformed into a yokai, often depicted with two tails. Renowned for its cunning and its ability to bewitch humans, it is both enigmatic and dangerous.
Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前)
A bewitching fox spirit possessing both beauty and malice. Famous for seducing powerful men and weaving intricate plots, her story is steeped in both allure and tragedy.
Ekibyōgami (疫病神)
A malevolent spirit said to bring epidemics and disasters. Feared during plagues, it serves as a cautionary figure in times of epidemic.
Hannya (般若)
The vengeful spirit of a woman depicted with a terrifying visage marked by anger and sorrow. She symbolizes betrayal, fury, and deep-seated resentment.
Ibaraki-Dōji (茨木童子)
A battle-hardened oni warrior known for his valor and cruelty. Legends recount his clashes with legendary heroes, establishing him as one of the most formidable demons.
Sugawara no Michizane (菅原道真)
A Heian-era scholar and statesman whose spirit is venerated as Tenjin, the god of scholarship. His tragic fate and subsequent deification render him a complex and revered figure.
Tōfu Kozō (豆腐小僧)
A small yokai carrying tofu. Known for its playful mischief, it is said to appear in homes and towns, occasionally causing minor disturbances by dropping tofu.
Binbōgami (貧乏神)
A deity or spirit believed to bring misfortune and poverty to households. Paradoxically, its departure is often seen as a harbinger of prosperity.
Wanyūdō (輪入道)
A yokai thought to be the transformed spirit of a former monk. Its head, surrounded by a flaming wheel, and its anguished expression serve as a grim reminder of retribution.
Shutendōji (酒呑童子)
The notorious demon leader famed for his love of sake and ferocious nature. Numerous legends recount his battles with warriors, making him a figure both terrifying and fascinating.
Suzuka Gozen (鈴鹿御前)
A beautiful and valiant female warrior—or sometimes a yokai—celebrated for her martial prowess and tragic love story that echoes through the ages.
Kama-Itachi (鎌鼬)
A yokai with scythe-like claws and an aura of wind, known for its lightning-fast slashes that cause minimal pain.
Kagegami no Gyōbudanuki (陰神刑部狸)
A mysterious tanuki lurking in the shadows. Renowned for its shape-shifting abilities and uncanny powers, it is often regarded as an omen of impending misfortune.
Inkeiki (隠形鬼)
An oni with the ability to conceal its form. It can vanish into the shadows and appear unexpectedly, instilling fear and unease in its witnesses.
Ame Onna (雨女)
A female apparition believed to bring rain wherever she goes. Her presence is often seen as an omen of bad luck, though it can also be interpreted as a blessing that nourishes the earth.
Yuki Onna (雪女)
The Snow Woman, a spirit that appears on cold, snowy nights. With skin like ice and crystal-clear eyes, she is said to have the power to freeze humans with her chilling gaze.
Rai Jū (雷獣)
A beast-like yokai that emerges with the roar of thunder. Representing the wild force of nature, its presence is both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
Raijin (雷神)
The god of thunder who wields lightning and drums. Revered and feared, he is invoked as a protector of crops and as an avenger of wrongs.
Fūjin (風神)
The god of wind, often depicted alongside Raijin. He commands the mighty winds and plays a central role in shaping the natural world.
Hienma (飛縁魔)
A yokai that soars through the air and meddles in the ties that bind people. Suddenly appearing, it disrupts the course of destiny and human relationships.
Gaki (餓鬼)
A tormented spirit condemned to endless hunger. Once driven by insatiable desire, it now wanders in eternal suffering, symbolizing the consequences of unbridled greed.
Kijo (鬼女)
A fearsome female demon with an intense aura of malice. Beneath her beauty lies a brutal, vengeful nature, making her a symbol of curses and retribution.
Kidōmaru (鬼童丸)
A yokai who once attempted to ambush the legendary warrior Minamoto no Yorimitsu by hiding within a cow, only to be discovered and vanquished.
Nue (鵺)
A bizarre creature that combines the features of a monkey’s face, a tanuki’s body, a snake’s tail, and a tiger’s legs. Its eerie cry is said to foretell disaster.
Inugami (犬神)
A vengeful dog spirit that exacts retribution on those who have wronged its master. Feared for cursing families, it can be appeased through specific rituals.
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