In Western Japan, there are many tales and fables about bovine-headed yokai. It is a ferocious creature that has typical features of an oni such as large horns, long fangs and slithering tongues. Infamously known as ushi-oni, the daemonic creature rampages through villages during the pre-Edo period. It terrorizes the country folk, attacks feudal lords and destroy their livelihood. None are safe from their savage tantrums.
Across the lands of Western Japan, mythical stories of ushi-oni are quite common but their shape and form varies. Conventionally, they are described as a monstrous oni with a bull for a head. But various regional narratives will describe the brutish body differently. Some describe ushi-oni as having a giant crab body. Others indicate that the beast terrorizes the villagers by flying around with insect wings. Nonetheless, the most common imagery of the ushi-oni is that of a black, gargantuan six-legged monster with the head of a fearsome bull.
In fact, the latter description of ushi-oni are those that roam the mountainous forests of Japan. These infernal mamono live deep in the mountain caves that have been long forgotten. Legend says that these creatures are eternal guardians to a powerful magical artifact. A power that is too great for any single man. Any adventurers foolish enough to try and acquire the sacred object, have to contend with the soul-stealing gaze of the daemonic beast.
Conclusion
Fortunately, ushi-oni are very few in number and their caves are well hidden. They do not require much to eat and usually stay within the range of their guard. You are more likely to randomly encounter a wild tanuki than deliberately try to find an ushi-oni. Nonetheless, while hiking through the forest, do remember to stick to the beaten path. And wear a bell to show that you are not sneaking around.
Yokai Details
- name: ushi-oni (oo-she-oh-nee)
kanji: 牛鬼 (うしおに)
meaning: cow demon - aka: gyuki (ぎゅうき)
- abilities:
- enhanced jump — able to jump extreme distances
- energy drain — the ability to sap your stamina away
- soul steal — consumes a person’s soul with eye contact
