Japan has its own unique and varied range of mythological creatures that are integral to the country’s folklore and history, influencing everything from religious beliefs to creative fiction. Many are either yokai (supernatural monsters or creatures) or yurei (more spiritually ghost-like figures), and they can be good or bad, taking on unique forms or sometimes inhabiting specific places. Here is a small selection of some of the most common figures that you may encounter.
Kitsune
One of the most well-known and revered yokai, kitsune are shapeshifting foxes that often take human form, with many Japanese legends telling of how they transform into beautiful women. They are frequently benevolent and highly intelligent protectors but some are tricksters out to cause mischief, such as those known as nogitsune. Often used to highlight the duality between wisdom and mischief, these mythological beings have been a popular feature for many years in Japanese anime and manga.
Kitsune are also strongly linked with the Shinto deity Inari, with the most famous being the Fushimi Inari in Kyoto.
Tanuki
Another of the shapeshifting trickster yokai, the tanuki is depicted as a raccoon dog. Similar in form to the real tanuki that exist in the Japanese wild, these mythological creatures differ as they can transform into humans, other animals, and even inanimate objects, often using magic to fool people or teach lessons. Tanuki are mischievous but not nasty or harmful. They have been popularised in fiction, such as the animation movie Pom Poko. You can find statues of them outside many temples, usually depicted with a pot belly and holding a bottle or mug of sake.
Kappa
A slightly more feared yokai in Japanese folklore, kappa are creatures believed to dwell in rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are a peculiar mix of human, amphibian, and reptile. For example, they typically have frog-like green scales as well as a turtle shell. Depictions vary, although a recurring feature is a dish shape on top of the head that contains powerful water.
Kappa are said to be dangerous and will pull people, especially children, underwater if they get the chance. However, they can be tamed if you show them sufficient respect and can also lose their magical powers if the water in their dish spills out. According to legend, their favourite food is cucumber, and the kappa-maki sushi roll is named after the creature.
Tengu
This red-faced bird-like yokai with a long beak started off as a more mischievous demon but over time has become a more benevolent creature. Tengu are today seen as guardians of forests and mountains, teaching humility and adept in martial arts. Some believe them to be the embodied spirits of monks and warriors. There are different types of tengu, including the daitengu, which is more of a mix of bird and human.
Oni
Oni are classic Japanese monster figures, typically horned demons or ogres that are gigantic, vividly colored (usually red or blue), and wielding an iron club. They feature in many Japanese stories as a warning of the punishment that awaits those that behave badly or mistreat others. One of the most famous oni is Shuten-doji, a powerful oni that would kidnap people as slaves before devouring them.
ChubbyWimbus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
