Hone-Onna Bone Woman; Skeleton Woman CLASSIFICATION: Yokai; Obake; Vampire ORIGIN: Japan Men see a beautiful, alluringly dressed woman provocatively walking the streets and assume that she is a streetwalker. In fact, she
Amatsu-Mikaboshi: The August Star of Heaven Amatsu-Mikaboshi, whose name may be translated as the “August Star of Heaven,” is one of the most mysterious figures in Japanese mythology. He is often described as the Japanese “god of evil,” but this
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 standard image of Maneki Neko depicts a
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 be persuaded to become allies. Oni frequently
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 one is female (Benten). Each is an
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 of a wizard’s familiar. They are shape-shifting
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 with that great ape. Although fossilized orangutans
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 for their amazing breath control also scour
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 more closely resembles a raccoon. Its genus
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 gets electrified during thunderstorms, leaping about wildly.
Kappa ALSO KNOWN AS: Kawako (River Child) ORIGIN: Japan CLASSIFICATION: Suijin Kappa are Japanese water spirits who live in family groups near sources of fresh water. Giventhe choice, Kappa prefer quiet, remote
Kamui ORIGIN: Ainu (Japan) The Kamui are the spirits of the Ainu people, an indigenous ethnic group of Japan. The word Kamui is very similar to Kami and the spirits are alike
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