Kuchisake-Onna
Kuchisake-Onna Slit Mouth Woman ORIGIN: Japan CLASSIFICATION: Yokai It’s unclear how long the ghost of Kuchisake-Onna has been wandering the streets of Japan. (Lately, she’s…
Category: Japanese Mythology
Maneki Neko
Maneki Neko ORIGIN: Japan Maneki Neko, the Japanese Beckoning Cat, virtually unknown one century ago, may be the most ubiquitous amulet on Earth today. The…
Oni
Oni ORIGIN: Japan Oni are raucous, defiant spirits of chaos and mischief. They can cause trouble for people but may also be protective. Some can…
Shichi Fukujin
Shichi Fukujin ORIGIN: Japan Shichi Fukujin is usually translated as “Seven Spirits of Good Fortune,” but literally means “Seven Happiness Beings.” Six are male and…
Shikigami
Shikigami ALSO KNOWN AS: Shikijin ORIGIN: Japan Shikigami are spirits summoned to serve Onmyoji, Japanese shamanic yin-yang magicians, and are similar to the Western concept…
Shoojoo
Shoojoo ALSO KNOWN AS: Drinking Monkey Daruma ORIGIN: Japan Shoojoo literally means “orangutan,” but the spirit known as Shoojoo received his name from people unfamiliar…
Toyotama-Hime
Toyotama-Hime is the Luminous Jewel; Princess of the Dragon Palace; Dragon Princess of the Sea Toyotama-hime (literally “Princess Toyotama”) is a dragon princess, the daughter…
Tamatori-Hime
Tamatori-Hime ORIGIN: Japan Tamatori-hime, literally “Princess Tamatori” is the ama goddess. Ama are traditional Japanese divers, usually pearl divers but these deep sea divers famed…
Tanuki
Tanuki The Tanuki, also known as the Raccoon Dog or Japanese Badger (Nyctereutes procyonoides), is usually described as a member of the canine family that…
Raiju
Raiju Thunder Animal ORIGIN: Japan Raiju, the thunder animal, is Raijin’s companion or possibly his pet. Raiju is usually calm, peaceful, and docile but he…