Goryo
The term Goryo first emerged in the eighth century CE to refer to the dangerous, angry ghosts of nobles who had died in political intrigues.…
Category: Japanese Mythology
Datsueba
Datsueba – The Hell Hag Datsueba is a gateway goddess. Her name is related to words indicating bathhouse, dressing room, or to undress. It’s theorized…
Enma
Enma – Regent of Hell Enma, Japanese Buddhist Lord of Hell, a path of Yama, Lord of Death, is the most powerful of the Kings…
Fudo
Fudo – The Immutable One Fudo, Lord of Wisdom and Fire, may be the Japanese manifestation of Dainichi Buddha. Emerging as an independent entity in…
Fuji
Fuji – Woman’s Best Friend Fuji is the Ainu word for “fire.” The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan. Fuji is the original goddess…
Fukusuke
Fukusuke’s name means “good fortune.” He is a spirit of general prosperity but is especially associated with merchants. Before the remarkable ascendance of Maneki Neko,…
Hannya
Hannya are Japanese horned female spirits and they are dangerous. The Hannya doesn’t need an iron club like her male compatriots, the Oni. The power…
Harionna
Harionna – Barb Hair Woman Harionna roams the streets at night. She looks like a young, attractive woman with seductively long, beautiful, fragrant hair, which…
Nure-Onna
Nure-Onna Wet Woman ORIGIN: Japan Nure-Onna, a water serpent spirit from coastal Northern Japan, sits on the beach during storms, washing her long hair. Her…
Obake
An Obake is a ghost but specifically a vengeful or restless ghost. Obake literally means “Honorable Transforming Thing.” (O is an honourific, a term of…