Akuma
An Akuma is in Japanese folklore, an evil spirit who carries a sword and a huge head with flaming eyes. One day a nobleman saw an akuma with a naked sword floating toward him in the sky. Frightened by the hideous sight, the nobleman hid himself under a mat and looking out, saw the akuma enter the house next door. Hearing a terrible uproar, he went to see what had happened and found that his neighbor, in trying to kill the akuma, had accidentally killed his wife, children, and servants. Variant terms: ma, toori akuma.
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SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow – Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante