Oni

Oni (鬼, literally “demonic things”) are the Japanese ogres, trolls and demons. They are depicted as large mountain creatures with oversized fangs. They have one or two horns growing out of their heads. Stereotypically, they wear an animal loin cloths and drags around the iron club, kanabo. Discover the various types of oni below.

Oni, Yokai

Shuten-doji Carrying an Sake Gourd

Northwest of Kyoto, there is a mountain called Mount Ōe (大江山) that holds an oni lair. An ancient lair that was owned by the notorious oni king called Shuten-dōji. Without a doubt, he is one of the three most feared yokai of ancient Kansai region, including Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前) and Ōtakemaru (大嶽丸). Shuten-dōji is the original oyabun that terrorized the people of Kyoto with his dreaded gang of oni.

As it was written in the narrative Ōeyama Ekotoba (大江山絵詞), Shuten-dōji continually raided the northern region of Kyoto. Incessantly, the oni king and his gang looted and plundered the province in a drunken fury. Moreover, Shuten-dōji kidnapped young women and forced them to serve as his private maidservants. Those who refused were eaten and their blood were drunk with sake.

Over the years, Shuten-dōji‘s notoriety attracted hundreds of oni from across Japan. Moreover, his top lieutenants were fearfully called the “Four Divine Kings”. Their names were Hoshikuma-dōji, Kuma-dōji, Torakuma-dōji, and Kane-dōji. Furthermore, Shuten-dōji has a favourite underling, Ibaraki-dōji. who was menacing in his own right. Because of the immense power and influence of Shuten-dōji, he threatens the reigning Emperor of Japan.

Ibukiyama Version

Alternatively, in the Mt. Ibuki (伊吹山) legend, Shuten-dōji was born to the great serpent Yamata no Orochi (八岐大蛇). Although he went through monk training at Mt. Hiei, Shuten-dōji continued to drink heavily. Consequently, he got intoxicated during a religious festival. Moreover, he played a prank on his fellow acolytes by wearing an oni mask to frighten them. Consequently, at the end of the night, the mask has melded to Shuten-dōji‘s face.

Because he was unable to remove the oni mask, Shuten-dōji fled to forests of Mt. Ibuki. Initially regretful, he turned wicked. As such, he began his life as a true oni. Shuten-dōji terrorized the people of Kyoto and formed a gang of oni. Afterwards, he built his fortress high up in the mountains. Interestingly, in this Ibukiyama version, Shuten-dōji‘s honji (本地), “true nature”, was identified to be Dairokuten no Maō (第六天の魔王) the evil king of the Sixth Heaven, the archenemy of Buddha.

Downfall of the Oni King

Finally, Emperor Ichijō commanded his mightiest samurai to subdue the oni king Shuten-dōji. Immediately, the supernatural warriors travelled to Mt. Ibuki disguised as yamabushi priests. After discovering the hideout, they requested an audience with Shuten-dōji. As such, the oni king had a grand reception for his guests. Covertly, the disguised warriors offered Shuten-dōji with an enchanted sake. Eventually, after countless drinks later, the notorious oni fell asleep. At this moment, the inhuman samurai, Minamoto no Raikō, chopped off Shuten-dōji‘s head with Dōjigiri (童子切), the legendary sword.

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Yokai Details

  • name: shuten-doji (sho-ten-doe-jee)
  • kanji:  酒呑童子 ( しゅてんどうじ )
  • alternative spelling: 酒顛童子, 酒天童子, 朱点童子
  • meaning: sake drinking child
  • abilities:
    1. supernatural strength — massive power cut a person in half
    2. inhuman stamina — fight non-stop for days without tiring
    3. muscle armour — use incredible dense muscle as protection
    4. oni transformation — transform into a 50ft tall oni with a head of 5 horns and 15 eyes
Mamono, Oni, Yokai

Amanojaku (天邪鬼)

Sometimes we have feelings of dislike towards a close friend or envy for a co-worker’s fortune. Sometimes our bad thoughts intensify to monstrous proportions. If you do have these feelings, breathe, calm down and look around. You may just see the evil yokai that is provoking the dark desires of your wicked heart.

Amanojaku (or sometimes Amanjaku), is a vile yokai that has been around before the arrival of Buddhism in Japan. Many scholars have suggested that this deity originates from a Shinto deity known as Amanosagume (天探女). But there are little similarities between the two.

A small oni-boy is, usually, how amanojaku is described. This half-naked yokai is red-skinned and has typical oni features such as horns and fangs. The crude creatures are dressed minimally with animal skins or just loincloth.

Tale of Urikohime

The yokai, Amanojaku, is also recognized from “The Tale of Urikohime” where it feasted on a kawaii bride-to-be, named Urikohime, who was left alone at home. Amanojaku even pretended to be the girl when her parents returned home by wearing her flayed skin. But eventually the creature’s masquerade was revealed by a crow. The whole village chased it down and beat it to a pulp.

Recent urban legend states that, you can summon amanojaku to do your evil deeds. To call forth the yokai to do your bidding, need to stand in front of a mirror at the stroke of midnight and call out Urikohime. Even if you don’t see amanojaku in your reflection, you can still request for your wicked acts to be fulfilled.

Having a vile wicked thought? Why not try to summon the yokai amanojaku. You may just get the revenge you wanted. If not, you can just beat the creature to a pulp. ;p

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Yokai Details

  • name: amanojaku (ah-mah-noh-jah-koo)
  • kanji: 天邪鬼 (あまのじゃく)
  • meaning: vengeful spirit of the heavens
  • abilities
    1. vile pollution — brings forth and intensifies the evil in a person’s heart  abilities
    2. skin-walker — disguise itself by wearing the flayed skin of another
Oni, Yokai

Namahage (ナマハゲ)

Every new year’s eve, on the Oga Peninsula (男鹿半島) or Akita Prefecture (秋田県), a yokai pair returns from the nether lands. They search for the bad and the lazy, especially children. Just like Santa Claus, or dark Krampus, the local red and blue yokai couple reminds the children to be well-behaved for the coming year.

In recent months, 10 festivals of the Raiho-shin (来訪神) has been inscribed into the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the yokai, Namahage of Oga, is one of them. Namahage is a pair of red and blue oni-like yokai that visits households every new year’s eve. They are part of the Toshigami (年神) group because they are deities that return to the land of Japan with each new year.

Namahage are oni-like yokai with large teeth and horns who walk around the village looking for the delinquents, especially young ones. They are usually dressed in a traditional Japanese straw raincoat called mino (蓑). These deities will shout out loud, “Are there any naughty children?” or “Are there any children whining?” Many unsuspecting children will be caught and interrogated by the Namahage. Questions about their general behaviour over the year, and even whether they have been studying hard.

Namahage Types

Jijinamahage (ジジナマハゲ)

The red Namahage is known as Jiji-namahage, or simply Jiji. He waves around an Onusa (大幣), a wooden wand with “lightning” paper streamers. This deity exorcises all forms of delinquencies, especially laziness and naughtiness. He ensures that the household is rid of bad habits that accumulates over the year. Purifying the house and family for the coming new year.

Babanamahage (ババナマハゲ)

Baba-namahage is the other Namahage, the blue (and more threatening) one. In her right hand, she carries a kitchen deba knife (出刃包丁) and hunts for those who have idle excessively. She “helps” to cut the heat blisters which comes from lazing around the fire too much. Baba collects all these blisters in her teoke (手桶), a wooden hand bucket.

Many towns and villages have stopped the Raiho-shin (来訪神) practice and eventually these deities may become a footnote yokai like the tanuki. But until then, namahage make sure that everyone does their part for the community in the coming dead of winter. No lazing around. I’m looking at you kid!

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Yokai Details

  • name: namahage (nah-mah-hah-gay)
  • kanji:  ナマハゲ (なまはげ)
  • meaning: raw peels (archaic form)
  • abilities:
    • phobia pheromones — release pheromones that induce fear among a large population
    • exorcise delinquency — gets rid of laziness and discord
    • oni transformation — able to change into a large semi-demonic ogre
Oni, Yokai

Kijimuna

I remembered, during my holiday in Okinawa,  having dinner one night and was served steamed sea bass with rice. Just as the waiter was leaving, I asked why is the fish’ left eyeball was missing. He replied that all the fish caught today was like that. The waiter added that Kijimuna might has taken the eyes because they are his favourite part of the fish.

In Okinawa, Kijimuna is a native yokai celebrity. The locals see them as tree spirits who like to cause mischief. These red-haired small tricksters, unlike most yokai, have both male and female genders. They are able to mate, bear young and care for their forebears. Kijimuna live, as a family unit, in banyan trees all across the islands, locally known as Gajumaru (ガジュマル).

Tales and myths of Kijimuna has been passed down through the generations for hundreds of years. They are described as child-like in appearance and behaviour. Kijimuna play mischievous pranks on villagers such as holding a sleeping man down and stealing light from your rooms at night.

Where To Find Them

If not in the Gajumaru trees, Kijimuna is seen wandering along beaches and riverbanks, sometimes accompanied by the ghostly wisps, Onibi (鬼火). The yokai, Kijimuna, are skilled fishermen who loves to eat fish and shellfish, especially fish eyeballs, but despise octopuses and chickens. There are many tales of the red-haired trickster helping humans to fish and to get rich. But eventually, the humans forget the yokai’s kindness and are punished for their misgivings.

Nonetheless, if you do visit Okinawa, and come across banyan grove, especially old ones, avoid it when possible. If unable to, be respectful of the natural area, and walk through it quickly. But most importantly, no farting. Kijimuna really, really hates farts and will throw you off a mountain, into the sea, or both, if you ever do so.

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Yokai Details

  • name: kijimuna (key-jee-moo-nah)
  • kanji: キジムナー (きじもなあ)
  • meaning: named after a old village in Okinawa
  • abilities:
    1. camouflage — hide & disappear into the trees
    2. marine magnetism — ability to attract any fish
    3. light deprivation — absorb & take light away from any source
    4. mass alteration — able to increase weight & mass
Mononoke, Oni, Yokai

Hashihime

Once, in a clear sunny day, as I approached a major bridge to cross it, I saw a couple halfway across coming towards me. Then suddenly, the man was blown off the bridge and the woman vanished. My thoughts raced, “Where’s the yokai? What’s the yokai? Should I still cross the bridge for work?” Being a workaholic, I turnaround and work from home instead. Tasking myself to find the mysterious yokai of the bridge.

Hashihime, meaning lady of the bridge, is one of the most bipolar yokai you are likely to encounter. She loves you for using her bridge but the moment you mention a better bridge, hell has no fury as her scorn. Unlike the bridge trolls of the West, Hashihime is usually seen as a ravishing lady to the men and a handsome dude to the women.

Forgotten Tale

An old tale tells of a now-forgotten trading village that was linked to the Tōkaidō road by a long and sturdy bridge. Through the years, the village had tolerated multiple small bandit raids and their vile atrocities. But an accidental death of a bandit has brought the leader to their door step. The bandit king vowed revenge led his rouge of bandits towards the village but stopped at the end of the bridge.

A woman was standing before the bandit king totally exposed with her wild hair flying in the non-existent winds. As he rose his sword to strike the naked woman, she burst into a flaming oni, burning the bandit king to crisp. The fiery oni, then, charged forward, setting the whole line of bandits and the bridge ablaze. The villagers were eternally grateful to the Hashihime but did not rebuild the bridge, in dread of her.

Hidden Shrine

In Kyoto, there is a shrine dedicated to Hashihime, the guardian deity of Uji Bridge. The original shrine was located in the west bank but was washed away by floods of 1870. Legend has it that a lady of the courts prayed to the Kami of Kifune to make her a living oni that has powers as great as her bitter jealousy.  After 7 days of continual devotions at Kifune-jinja, her prayers were answered. She were told to perform a sacred ceremony in the Kawase River at Uji.

The noble lady returned to the capital city where she twisted her hair into five horns and painted herself bloody red. She then lit five torches, three on an iron trivet on her head and two clenched between her teeth. Once her preparations complete, she ran down the street to Kawase River paralyzing  many onlookers and scaring others to death.

Oni Transformation

She dived into the rivers and stayed submerged fueled with rage and jealousy. After 21 days, the courtly lady emerged, transformed into the dreaded Hashihime. As a living oni, she took revenge on all who she envied and anyone else related to them. Her rage continue afterwards, as she slayed many that crosses the Uji Bridge.

Eventually a shrine was built to placate the Hashihime of Uji Bridge. In modern times, there are less deaths on the bridge and visitors to the shrine has more benign requests. Prayers such as to forget an old flame or cut off ties of your complicated relationships. Hashihime is really good at burning one’s bridges.

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Yokai Details

  • name: Hashihime (hah-shi-hee-meh)
  • kanji: 橋姫 (はしひめ)
  • meaning: maiden of the bridge
  • abilities:
    1. paralysis — ability to knock anyone unconscious
    2. oni transformation — transform into a fiery demonic form
    3. fire manipulation — limited control over fire