Japanese folklore is teeming with tales of supernatural beings, and among the most iconic are the Oni—demon-like creatures that have inspired legends, art, and popular culture for centuries. Traditionally depicted as fierce giants with horns, wild hair, fangs, and a spiked club, Oni come in many shapes and sizes. While most people might immediately picture the red, blue, or black Oni, Japan’s rich regional traditions reveal a far wider variety.
In this comprehensive guide, we present 44 types of Oni drawn from Japanese legends, folktales, and local beliefs. Whether you’re a longtime fan of demonic lore or just curious about Japan’s mythical creatures, read on to explore these captivating and fearsome figures.
- The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Oni: 44 Legendary Demons
- 1. Shuten Doji (酒呑童子)
- 2. Ibaraki Doji (茨木童子)
- 3. Yase Doji / Yase no Doji / Hase Doji (八瀬童子)
- 4. Oni Hitokuchi (鬼一口)
- 5. Amanojaku (天邪鬼)
- 6. Kidōmaru / Kidōmaru (鬼童丸・鬼同丸)
- 7. Mehitotsu Oni (目一鬼)
- 8. Ushioni / Gyūki (牛鬼)
- 9. Gozu (牛頭)
- 10. Mezu (馬頭)
- 11. Gozu-Mezu (牛頭馬頭)
- 12. Kuma Doji (熊童子)
- 13. Tora Kuma Doji (虎熊童子)
- 14. Hoshi Kuma Doji (星熊童子)
- 15. Kane Kuma Doji (金熊童子)
- 16. Akki (悪鬼)
- 17. Rashomon no Oni (羅城門の鬼)
- 18. Reiki (霊鬼)
- 19. Jaki (邪鬼)
- 20. Rasetsu (羅刹)
The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Oni: 44 Legendary Demons
1. Shuten Doji (酒呑童子)
The Mightiest Oni
Known as the strongest and most notorious demon, Shuten Doji is a central figure in many legends.
2. Ibaraki Doji (茨木童子)
The Mischievous Menace
Featured in the Rashomon legends, this Oni is infamous for its malevolence and destructive deeds.
3. Yase Doji / Yase no Doji / Hase Doji (八瀬童子)
A Demon’s Descendant
Believed to be the progeny of an Oni once employed by the Buddhist monk Saichō.
4. Oni Hitokuchi (鬼一口)
The Lurker in the Storehouse
This Oni is said to dwell in warehouses and will devour anyone who dares peek inside.
5. Amanojaku (天邪鬼)
The Contrary Demon
A mischievous being that even the revered Four Heavenly Kings and Buddhist guardians find hard to control.
6. Kidōmaru / Kidōmaru (鬼童丸・鬼同丸)
Kokon Chomonjū, this Oni has left its mark on historical folklore.
7. Mehitotsu Oni (目一鬼)
The One-Eyed Man-Eater
A fearsome demon known for its single, piercing eye and a taste for human flesh.
8. Ushioni / Gyūki (牛鬼)
The Ruthless Predator
Notorious for its brutality, this Oni spits poison and delights in devouring humans.
9. Gozu (牛頭)
The Hell Jailer with a Bovine Head
Depicted as a guardian in the underworld, Gozu has a cow’s head paired with a human body.
10. Mezu (馬頭)
The Equine-Headed Guardian
A counterpart to Gozu, this Oni features a horse’s head with a human body below the neck, serving in hell.
11. Gozu-Mezu (牛頭馬頭)
The Dual-Headed Hell Wardens
A collective term referring to both the bovine and equine-headed demons who serve as jailers in the Buddhist hell.
12. Kuma Doji (熊童子)
A Loyal Follower
One of Shuten Doji’s subordinates, often listed among his trusted generals.
13. Tora Kuma Doji (虎熊童子)
The Fierce Lieutenant
Another of Shuten Doji’s formidable retainers, renowned for its ferocity.
14. Hoshi Kuma Doji (星熊童子)
A Celestial Warrior
A trusted follower in Shuten Doji’s retinue, contributing to the demon’s fearsome reputation.
15. Kane Kuma Doji (金熊童子)
The Golden Warrior
Completing the quartet of Shuten Doji’s generals, this Oni is as lethal as its companions.
16. Akki (悪鬼)
The Spreader of Evil
A demon whose primary role is to sow chaos and malevolence among humans.
17. Rashomon no Oni (羅城門の鬼)
The Gate-Dwelling Demon
Legend holds that this Oni once inhabited the Rashomon, the main gate of ancient Heian-kyō (Kyoto).
18. Reiki (霊鬼)
The Vengeful Spirit
Born from the grudges of a deceased soul, this ghostly demon embodies lingering hatred.
19. Jaki (邪鬼)
The Disease-Bringer
This Oni is feared for its association with spreading illness and misfortune.
20. Rasetsu (羅刹)
The Buddhist Protector
In Buddhist lore, Rasetsu is considered one of the guardian deities serving Bishamonten.
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