Yokai: Discover Legendary Yokai, Spirits, and Mythical Creatures

Japanese Yokai: Supernatural Spirits & Creatures

Yokai (妖怪) are the most diverse category of Japanese supernatural beings, encompassing everything from mischievous spirits to terrifying monsters. These mysterious creatures inhabit the borderlands between the human world and the supernatural realm, appearing in countless legends, folktales, and modern interpretations.

What Are Yokai?

The word "yokai" literally means "bewitching apparition" and refers to a vast array of supernatural entities in Japanese folklore. From shape-shifting animals to haunted objects, from benevolent guardians to malevolent spirits, yokai represent the mysterious and unexplained aspects of the natural world.

Popular Yokai Categories

  • Shape-shifters: Kitsune (fox spirits), Tanuki (raccoon dogs), Bakeneko (cat spirits)
  • Water spirits: Kappa, Ningyo (mermaids), Funayurei (ghost ships)
  • Mountain beings: Tengu, Yama-uba (mountain witches), Yamawaro
  • Household spirits: Tsukumogami (animated objects), Zashiki-warashi
  • Ghostly apparitions: Yuki-onna, Onibi (ghost fires), Hitodama
Abura-akago
Yokai

Abura-akago (油赤子)

Abura-akago is described as the ghost or spirit of an infant that appears at night.

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159

Abura-bō
Yokai

Abura-bō (油坊)

It blends elements of ghostly fire and spectral apparitions found in regional legends.

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142

Abura-bō
Yokai

Abura-bō (油坊)

Associated with the remote mountain passes of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu.

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159

Akaname
Yokai

Akaname (垢嘗)

Akaname (垢嘗) is one of the more bizarre and unsettling yōkai from Japanese folklore.

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146

Akashita
Yokai

Akashita (赤舌)

Known for its dramatic appearances and symbolic role as a punisher of greed and corruption.

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159

Akateko
Yokai

Akateko (赤手児)

A mysterious red hand that dangles from trees, unsettling travelers and guarding sacred paths.

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148

Akkorokamui
Yokai

Akkorokamui (アッコロカムイ)

A colossal sea monster from Ainu lore, feared and revered as a divine octopus-like guardian of the ocean.

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292

Akurojin-no-hi
Yokai

Akurojin-no-hi (悪路神の火)

A ghostly fire from Mie Prefecture that haunts desolate mountain paths and brings misfortune to travelers.

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152

Amazake-babaa
Yokai

Amazake-babaa (甘酒婆)

An eerie old woman who whispers for sweet sake and leaves sickness in her wake if you respond.

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130

Amefurikozō
Yokai

Amefurikozō (雨降小僧)

A cheerful little boy spirit who delights in the rain, sometimes causing showers or playful mischief.

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151

Amemasu
Yokai

Amemasu (アメマス)

A powerful fish- or whale-like beast from Ainu folklore, said to cause earthquakes and drag boats beneath lakes.

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161

Ameonna
Yokai

Ameonna (雨女)

A mysterious woman yokai who brings rain wherever she walks—seen as both a gentle blessing and a gloomy curse.

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145

Amikiri
Yokai

Amikiri (網切)

A mischief-making spirit known for slicing through fishing nets and mosquito screens in the night.

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158

Amorōnagu
Yokai

Amorōnagu (アモロナグ)

A celestial maiden from Amami Ōshima whose radiant form bridges heaven and island folklore.

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143

Aoandon
Yokai

Aoandon (青行燈)

The eerie spirit of the blue lantern, said to appear at the end of a hundred ghost stories told by candlelight.

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169

Aobōzu
Yokai

Aobōzu (青坊主)

A mysterious blue-skinned monk who roams the mountains, luring children away from safety and into the shadows.

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149

Aonyōbō
Yokai

Aonyōbō (青女房)

A spectral court lady draped in blue, haunting abandoned noble estates with memories of a lost past.

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171

Aosaginohi
Yokai

Aosaginohi (青鷺の火)

A ghostly blue heron said to shimmer with supernatural fire as it moves through swamps and riverbanks.

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139

Asobibi
Yokai

Asobibi (遊火)

A mysterious flickering flame from Kōchi Prefecture said to drift playfully through the night fields.

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129

Arikura-no-baba
Yokai

Arikura-no-baba (有倉の婆)

A mysterious old woman with magical powers, said to dwell in the mountains and test travelers with wisdom or trickery.

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137

Ashiaraiyashiki
Yokai

Ashiaraiyashiki (足洗邸)

A giant foot crashes into a home demanding to be washed—or unleashes chaos if ignored.

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142

Ashimagari
Yokai

Ashimagari (足曲がり)

A spirit known to trip travelers by entangling their legs—an invisible prankster of forest paths.

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136

Ashinagatenaga
Yokai

Ashinagatenaga (足長手長)

A legendary yokai pair—one with long legs, the other with long arms—who fish cooperatively in deep coastal waters.

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194

Ato-oi-kozō
Yokai

Ato-oi-kozō (後追い小僧)

An invisible spirit said to follow people quietly—especially at night near temples or graveyards.

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166

Ayakashi
Yokai

Ayakashi (綾かし)

A sea spirit often synonymous with the ikuchi — a massive eel-like yokai that coats ships in oily residue.

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148

Ayakashi-no-ayashibi
Yokai

Ayakashi-no-ayashibi (綾かしの怪火)

A ghostly flame seen in Ishikawa Prefecture, often considered a spiritual warning or wandering soul.

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132

Azukiarai
Yokai

Azukiarai (小豆洗い)

A strange spirit known for making eerie bean-washing sounds near rivers and wells late at night.

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150

Azukibabaa
Yokai

Azukibabaa (小豆婆々)

A terrifying bean-grinding hag who lures victims with sound and devours them deep in the forest.

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135

Azukitogi
Yokai

Azukitogi (小豆とぎ)

A regional name for Azukiarai — the mysterious spirit known for grinding beans by streams at night.

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136

Betobeto-san
Yokai

Betobeto-san (べとべとさん)

An invisible spirit from Japanese folklore known to follow travelers at night, making eerie footstep sounds. Though unseen, it causes unease with its audible presence. To dispel it, one must politely say, “Please, go ahead, Betobeto-san.”

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132

Bake-kujira
Yokai

Bake-kujira (化鯨)

A ghostly whale yokai said to appear off the coast of western Japan. Surrounded by strange birds and fish, it brings misfortune and plagues to those who witness it. Bake-kujira is believed to be the spirit of a whale killed unjustly.

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129

Bakezōri
Yokai

Bakezōri (化け草履)

A lively spirit formed from an old straw sandal, the Bakezōri comes to life when neglected. It runs about the house at night chanting and causing playful mischief.

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133

Baku
Yokai

Baku (獏)

A mystical creature that feeds on nightmares, the Baku is often invoked by children to protect their dreams. It has a composite form and brings good fortune.

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205

Basan
Yokai

Basan (バサン)

A mythical chicken-like beast that breathes ghostly fire and appears silently in the mountains of Ehime Prefecture, startling those who spot it.

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140

Binbōgami
Yokai

Binbōgami (貧乏神)

A malevolent spirit of poverty that brings misfortune and financial ruin to households it inhabits.

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121

Biwa-bokuboku
Yokai

Biwa-bokuboku (琵琶牧々)

A haunted biwa (Japanese lute) that takes on a ghostly form, often appearing when neglected or unused.

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145

Bunbuku Chagama
Yokai

Bunbuku Chagama (分福茶釜)

A beloved tale of a magical tanuki who disguises itself as a teakettle to help a kind man prosper.

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145

Buruburu
Yokai

Buruburu (ぶるぶる)

A trembling spirit known to instill an intense sensation of fear or chills, especially when people enter haunted or cursed places.

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152

Chōchinobake
Yokai

Chōchinobake (提灯お化け)

A haunted paper lantern yokai with a single eye and long tongue, brought to life through age or neglect, often startling those who pass by.

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122

Cho Hakkai
Yokai

Cho Hakkai (猪八戒)

A pig-faced spirit based on Zhu Bajie from Journey to the West—lazy, lustful, yet ultimately loyal and good-hearted.

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176

Daidarabocchi
Yokai

Daidarabocchi (ダイダラボッチ)

A titanic giant said to have shaped Japan’s geography by moving mountains and forming lakes with his footsteps.

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145

Daitengu
Yokai

Daitengu (大天狗)

The most powerful class of tengu, Daitengu are mighty mountain spirits and masters of magic and swordplay, each ruling over a sacred peak.

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146

Datsue-ba
Yokai

Datsue-ba (奪衣婆)

An old crone who waits at the banks of the Sanzu River in the underworld, stripping garments from the souls of the recently deceased as punishment for their earthly sins.

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139

Dodomeki
Yokai

Dodomeki (百々目鬼)

A cursed female spirit whose arms are covered in hundreds of eyes — the result of a lifetime of pickpocketing and dishonesty.

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160

Dorotabō
Yokai

Dorotabō (泥田坊)

A sorrowful spirit of a farmer who rises from the muddy rice paddies at night, lamenting the loss and neglect of his land.

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136

Enenra
Yokai

Enenra (煙々羅)

A mysterious yokai composed entirely of smoke, said to rise from burning incense or flames, appearing only to those with a pure heart.

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161

Enkō
Yokai

Enkō (猿猴)

A regional variety of the kappa found in Shikoku and western Honshū, known for its monkey-like features and mischievous behavior near rivers.

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192

Eritate-goromo
Yokai

Eritate-goromo (襟立衣)

The mystical robes worn by Sōjōbō, the tengu king of Mount Kurama, believed to grant supernatural speed and invisibility.

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128

Futakuchi-onna
Yokai

Futakuchi-onna (二口女)

A woman cursed with a second, ravenous mouth on the back of her head, hidden beneath her hair and demanding constant feeding.

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151

Gagoze
Yokai

Gagoze (元興寺)

A powerful demon once said to haunt Gangō-ji Temple in Nara, attacking young priests until it was ultimately vanquished by a courageous boy.

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120

Gaki
Yokai

Gaki (餓鬼)

In Buddhist belief, Gaki are tormented spirits consumed by insatiable hunger, often depicted with distended bellies and thin necks, doomed to wander in search of spiritual release.

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171

Gangi-kozō
Yokai

Gangi-kozō (岸小僧)

Gangi-kozō is a fish-loving water yokai often seen lurking near riverbanks or harbor steps, quietly watching for its next slippery meal.

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138

Garappa
Yokai

Garappa (がらっぱ)

Garappa is a river-dwelling yokai native to Kyūshū. A regional variation of the more well-known kappa, it is mischievous but not always malicious.

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131

Gashadokuro
Yokai

Gashadokuro (がしゃどくろ)

Gashadokuro is a massive, night-wandering skeleton made from the bones of those who died without burial. It stalks the land in silence, seeking to catch and devour lone travelers.

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192

Goryō
Yokai

Goryō (御霊)

Goryō are vengeful spirits of the dead, often aristocrats or nobles who died with deep resentment. Their wrath is believed to bring misfortune, disease, or disasters unless properly appeased through rituals and shrines.

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192

Guhin
Yokai

Guhin (狗賓)

Guhin is a variant of the tengu, often portrayed with canine features and known for its unpredictable temperament—sometimes dangerous, sometimes protective.

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135

Gyūki
Yokai

Gyūki (牛鬼)

Gyūki, also known as Ushi-oni, is a fearsome ox-headed demon from western Japan, often depicted with a spider-like or monstrous body and feared for its malevolent nature.

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158

Hakutaku
Yokai

Hakutaku (白沢)

A wise beast from Chinese mythology known as Bai Ze in Chinese, who appeared to the emperor to reveal the names and attributes of 11,520 kinds of demons.

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179

Hakuzōsu
Yokai

Hakuzōsu (白蔵主)

A clever fox yokai known for disguising itself as a Buddhist priest to deceive humans.

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169

Hannya
Yokai

Hannya (般若)

A terrifying mask used in Noh theater representing a woman turned demon from jealousy and rage.

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183

Harionago
Yokai

Harionago (針女)

A beautiful yet deadly yokai with barbed, prehensile hair used to ensnare and kill unsuspecting men.

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158

Hayatarō
Yokai

Hayatarō (隼太郎)

A legendary dog from Zenkō-ji Temple, famous for defeating the sarugami—a monkey god who demanded human sacrifices.

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136

Heikegani
Yokai

Heikegani (平家蟹)

These crabs bear faces resembling fallen Heike warriors, said to embody the spirits of those who perished in the Battle of Dan-no-ura.

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186

Hibagon
Yokai

Hibagon (ヒバゴン)

A mysterious, ape-like creature seen in the forests of Hiroshima Prefecture, often considered Japan’s version of Bigfoot.

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152

Hiderigami
Yokai

Hiderigami (日照り神)

A fearsome god or spirit responsible for droughts. It is said to dry up the land wherever it appears, withering crops and causing famine.

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171

Hihi
Yokai

Hihi (狒々)

A monstrous baboon-like creature with sharp claws and incredible strength, said to dwell in the mountains and attack travelers.

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140

Hitodama
Yokai

Hitodama (人魂)

A mysterious glowing orb believed to be the soul of a recently deceased person, floating through the night air.

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192

Hitotsume-kozō
Yokai

Hitotsume-kozō (一つ目小僧)

A cyclopean childlike spirit who startles humans by suddenly appearing with a single eye in the center of its face.

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166

Hoji
Yokai

Hoji (霍之)

The malevolent spirit of Tamamo-no-Mae, a legendary fox spirit who caused chaos and seduced emperors before being defeated and lingering as a curse.

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138

Hōkō
Yokai

Hōkō (彭侯)

A legendary dog-like spirit that inhabits sacred trees, believed to grant blessings and protection to those who honor the forest.

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130

Hone-onna
Yokai

Hone-onna (骨女)

A ghostly woman who appears beautiful at first but is truly a skeleton; she visits her former lover and drains his life.

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269

Hyakki Yakō
Yokai

Hyakki Yakō (百鬼夜行)

A legendary night procession of a hundred demons and spirits. Anyone witnessing it without protection would meet a dreadful fate. The event is often depicted in Japanese scrolls and folklore as a surreal and dangerous parade through the streets.

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163

Hyakume
Yokai

Hyakume (百目)

A strange yokai covered in countless blinking eyes. It guards sacred places and temples from intruders, silently watching from the shadows. Each eye is said to hold supernatural powers.

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181

Hyōsube
Yokai

Hyōsube (兵主部)

A hairy kappa-like creature known for sneaking into baths and leaving hair everywhere. While mischievous, it can become deadly if its hospitality is not respected.

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146

Hyōtan-kozō
Yokai

Hyōtan-kozō (瓢箪小僧)

A playful yokai that resembles a small child carrying a gourd. Though harmless, it may startle passersby at night by popping out from shadows.

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158

Ibaraki-dōji
Yokai

Ibaraki-dōji (茨木童子)

A fearsome oni who guarded the Rashomon gate and served as Shuten-dōji’s most loyal companion.

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144

Ichimoku-nyūdō
Yokai

Ichimoku-nyūdō (一目入道)

A towering one-eyed monk-like spirit from Sado Island, known to appear at night and terrify travelers with its stare.

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126

Ikuchi
Yokai

Ikuchi (イクチ)

A mysterious sea serpent from Japanese legend that travels over boats at sea, trailing oily slime and causing panic among sailors.

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131

Ippon-datara
Yokai

Ippon-datara (一本だたら)

A one-legged mountain spirit from the Kii Peninsula, known for hopping through the snow and frightening villagers during winter.

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149

Isonade
Yokai

Isonade (磯撫)

A fish-like sea monster with a barb-covered tail, said to lurk off the coasts of western Japan and attack ships with stealth and violence.

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140

Itsumaden
Yokai

Itsumaden (いつまでん)

A monstrous bird with a human face and snake-like body that appeared over the capital in the Taiheiki, crying “Until when?” as a symbol of unrest and unavenged spirits.

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120

Ittan-momen
Yokai

Ittan-momen (一反木綿)

A flying strip of cloth from Kagoshima Prefecture, Ittan-momen is a yokai that wraps around the faces of people to suffocate them, especially when they walk alone at night.

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144

Iwana-bōzu
Yokai

Iwana-bōzu (岩魚坊主)

A mysterious yokai that resembles a Buddhist monk but is believed to be a transformed char fish, appearing along rivers in the mountains.

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123

Jakotsu-babaa
Yokai

Jakotsu-babaa (蛇骨婆)

An ancient, hunchbacked woman said to guard snake mounds and cursed bones deep within the mountains.

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126

Jatai
Yokai

Jatai (蛇帯)

A long obi (kimono sash) that has transformed into a vengeful spirit, often taking the form of a snake.

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126

Jinmenju
Yokai

Jinmenju (人面樹)

A mysterious tree said to grow flowers with human faces that laugh and smile instead of speaking.

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145

Jinmenken
Yokai

Jinmenken (人面犬)

An eerie dog with a human face, said to be seen at night wandering streets and highways. It can speak, but prefers to be left alone.

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206

Jishin-namazu
Yokai

Jishin-namazu (地震鯰)

A giant catfish said to dwell beneath the earth, whose movements are believed to cause earthquakes in Japanese mythology.

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152

Jorōgumo
Yokai

Jorōgumo (絡新婦)

A beautiful woman who transforms into a deadly spider to lure and consume unsuspecting victims, often appearing near waterfalls or secluded locations.

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155

Jubokko
Yokai

Jubokko (樹木子)

A tree that grows in battlefields and drinks the blood of the dead, attacking anyone who passes too close.

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132

Kage-onna
Yokai

Kage-onna (影女)

The shadow of a mysterious woman that appears on the paper doors of haunted houses.

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179

Kahaku
Yokai

Kahaku (河伯)

Another name for the kappa—a mischievous and dangerous water-dwelling yokai, revered and feared in Japanese folklore.

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120

Kamaitachi
Yokai

Kamaitachi (鎌鼬)

Fast-moving weasel spirits with sickle-like claws, known for slashing travelers without warning or leaving blood.

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241

Kamikiri
Yokai

Kamikiri (髪切り)

A small yokai known for silently sneaking up and cutting people’s hair, often as a prank or punishment for vanity.

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133

Kanbari-nyūdō
Yokai

Kanbari-nyūdō (かんばり入道)

A mysterious spirit said to lurk in bathrooms on New Year’s Eve, frightening those who enter or spying from the shadows.

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128

Kanedama
Yokai

Kanedama (金玉)

A rare yokai spirit representing wealth and prosperity, appearing as a glowing orb of gold protected by supernatural forces.

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178

Kappa
Yokai

Kappa (河童)

One of the most iconic Japanese yokai, the Kappa is a mischievous water spirit known for its bowl-shaped head, sumo skills, and love of cucumbers.

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165

Karasu-tengu
Yokai

Karasu-tengu (烏天狗)

Karasu-tengu is a crow-headed tengu yokai, known as a mountain warrior spirit with a sharp beak, black wings, and mastery of martial arts.

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147

Kasa-obake
Yokai

Kasa-obake (傘お化け)

Kasa-obake is a tsukumogami yokai taking the form of a one-eyed paper umbrella with a hopping leg and a long tongue.

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189

Kasha
Yokai

Kasha (火車)

Kasha is a fiery, cat-like demon from Japanese folklore known for stealing corpses from funerals or graveyards, often descending from the sky with flames.

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228

Kashanbō
Yokai

Kashanbō (かしゃんぼう)

Kashanbō are a winter variant of kappa that migrate into the mountains, often associated with cold-weather mischief and strange mountain legends.

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124

Katawa-guruma
Yokai

Katawa-guruma (片輪車)

Katawa-guruma is a flaming wheel yokai bearing a tormented woman, said to be a cursed soul punished for her sins. It haunts dark roads, wailing through the night.

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123

Katsura-otoko
Yokai

Katsura-otoko (桂男)

Katsura-otoko is a mysterious lunar being said to dwell on the moon, tending a sacred katsura tree. He is portrayed as a beautiful, melancholic man, representing celestial isolation and unearthly beauty.

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121

Kawa-akago
Yokai

Kawa-akago (川赤子)

Kawa-akago is a river-dwelling yokai that takes the form of a crying baby. It lures passersby close to the water, often resulting in danger or drowning. This eerie creature is both tragic and terrifying.

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120

Kawa-uso
Yokai

Kawa-uso (川獺)

Kawa-uso is a mischievous river otter yokai known for its shapeshifting powers and playful tricks on humans. It often impersonates people and lures them into strange or humorous situations by rivers.

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127

Kawa-zaru
Yokai

Kawa-zaru (川猿)

Kawa-zaru is a foul-smelling, cowardly river creature from Japanese folklore. Unlike its cousin the kappa, it avoids confrontation and is known for fleeing and hiding from humans.

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122

Kerakera-onna
Yokai

Kerakera-onna (けらけら女)

Kerakera-onna is a towering yokai woman who appears in the sky, laughing maniacally. Her laughter is said to spread dread and bring misfortune to those who hear it.

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133

Kesaran-pasaran
Yokai

Kesaran-pasaran (ケサランパサラン)

Kesaran-pasaran is a tiny white fluffball spirit said to float through the air and bring good fortune to those who capture it.

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138

Keukegen
Yokai

Keukegen (毛羽毛現)

Keukegen is a small, hairy yokai believed to bring disease and bad luck. It hides in dirty corners of homes until the space is cleaned.

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122

Kijimunaa
Yokai

Kijimunaa (キジムナー)

Kijimunaa is a red-haired tree sprite from Okinawa known for its mischievous tricks and deep connection to banyan trees.

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148

Kijo
Yokai

Kijo (鬼女)

Kijo are women in Japanese folklore who have transformed into terrifying demons, often driven by jealousy, betrayal, or deep sorrow.

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143

Kirin
Yokai

Kirin (麒麟)

Kirin is the Japanese name for the mythical Qilin, a creature of peace, wisdom, and prosperity. Often called the Chinese unicorn, it combines features of deer, dragon, and ox.

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305

Kitsune-Tsuki
Yokai

Kitsune-Tsuki (狐憑き)

A condition in Japanese folklore where a person is believed to be possessed by a fox spirit, causing erratic behavior or illness.

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188

Kiyohime
Yokai

Kiyohime (清姫)

A woman from Japanese folklore who transformed into a serpent demon after being spurned by the monk Anchin, driven by unrequited love and burning rage.

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153

Kodama
Yokai

Kodama (木霊)

Tree spirits from Japanese folklore that dwell in ancient or sacred trees. Disturbing a Kodama’s tree is said to bring terrible misfortune.

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234

Kokakuchō
Yokai

Kokakuchō (子鶴鳥)

A mythical bird believed to be the spirit of a mother who died in childbirth, endlessly crying for her child. It echoes maternal sorrow and haunting presence in Japanese folklore.

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128

Koma-inu
Yokai

Koma-inu (狛犬)

Lion-dog guardians that stand at the entrance of temples and shrines across Japan. They protect against evil and symbolize purity, power, and divine presence.

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137

Konaki-Jijii
Yokai

Konaki-Jijii (子泣き爺)

A deceptive spirit that appears as a crying child or old man. When picked up, it becomes unbearably heavy and crushes the victim.

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118

Konoha-tengu
Yokai

Konoha-tengu (木の葉天狗)

A leaf-dwelling tengu known for its bird-like appearance and trickster behavior, commonly found in forest folklore.

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135

Koropokkuru
Yokai

Koropokkuru (コロポックル)

Tiny forest people from Ainu folklore who lived under butterbur leaves and disappeared after being betrayed by humans.

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130

Kosode-no-te
Yokai

Kosode-no-te (小袖の手)

A haunted kosode kimono from Japanese folklore, inhabited by ghostly hands that reach out from its sleeves.

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134

Kuchisake-onna
Yokai

Kuchisake-onna (口裂け女)

A chilling urban legend of a woman with a slit mouth who asks “Am I pretty?”—with deadly consequences depending on your answer.

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126

Kuda-gitsune
Yokai

Kuda-gitsune (管狐)

A tiny, fox-like spirit used by sorcerers in Japanese folklore for magical purposes such as possession, spying, and mischief.

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143

Kurabokko
Yokai

Kurabokko (蔵ぼっこ)

A guardian spirit believed to inhabit Japanese warehouses, protecting stored goods and ensuring prosperity.

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131

Kurage-no-hinotama
Yokai

Kurage-no-hinotama (クラゲの火の玉)

A ghostly fireball yokai resembling a jellyfish that drifts silently through the air, believed to be a soul lost at sea.

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145

Kyōkotsu
Yokai

Kyōkotsu (狂骨)

A vengeful skeletal spirit that rises from wells where unburied corpses were cast away, seeking justice and remembrance.

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132

Kyūbi-no-kitsune
Yokai

Kyūbi-no-kitsune (九尾の狐)

A legendary nine-tailed fox with immense magical power, associated with both divine protection and dangerous seduction.

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489

Kyūketsuki
Yokai

Kyūketsuki (吸血鬼)

The Japanese vampire, inspired by Western legends, known for drinking blood and blending superstition with modern horror.

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168

Maikubi
Yokai

Maikubi (舞首)

The quarreling severed heads of three miscreants, doomed to argue eternally as a punishment for their crimes.

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140

Makura-gaeshi
Yokai

Makura-gaeshi (枕返し)

A mischievous spirit known for flipping or moving pillows while people sleep, sometimes causing mysterious discomfort or dreams.

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129

Mekurabe
Yokai

Mekurabe (目競)

A swarm of disembodied skulls that gather and multiply, known for terrifying Taira no Kiyomori in ancient Japanese legends.

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134

Miage-nyūdō
Yokai

Miage-nyūdō (見上げ入道)

A mysterious yokai that grows taller the more you look up at it—known to cause fear and disorientation in travelers.

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127

Mikoshi-nyūdō
Yokai

Mikoshi-nyūdō (見越し入道)

A terrifying yokai known to grow taller the more you look up at it—often mistaken for Miage-nyūdō, but with a more violent nature.

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129

Mizuchi
Yokai

Mizuchi (蛟)

A serpentine water dragon from Japanese legend, said to dwell in rivers and attack those who pollute or approach its domain.

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235

Mokumokuren
Yokai

Mokumokuren (目目連)

A haunted yōkai made of paper doors filled with unblinking eyes, watching anyone who enters abandoned buildings.

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147

Momonjii
Yokai

Momonjii (百々爺)

A mysterious old man yokai said to appear at every fork in the road, testing or deceiving travelers.

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129

Morinji-no-kama
Yokai

Morinji-no-kama (茂林寺の釜)

A famous tale about a magical teakettle that transforms into a tanuki, known from Morinji Temple in Gunma Prefecture.

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157

Mōryō
Yokai

Mōryō (魍魎)

A malevolent spirit known for feasting on corpses, often associated with graveyards and the dead. Mōryō are said to dwell in mountains and forests and dig up graves to devour the dead.

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250

Mujina
Yokai

Mujina (貉)

Mujina are shapeshifting badgers known in Japanese folklore for their ability to transform into human forms, especially faceless ghosts known as noppera-bō.

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216

Myōbu
Yokai

Myōbu (命婦)

Myōbu is a title used for noblewomen at the imperial court, but in folklore, it is also a respectful term for fox spirits that serve the deity Inari.

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135

Namahage
Yokai

Namahage (生剥)

Ritual ogres from the Oga Peninsula, used in New Year traditions to scare laziness out of children and adults.

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143

Namazu
Yokai

Namazu (鯰)

A giant catfish from Japanese mythology believed to cause earthquakes when it thrashes about underground.

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129

Nando-baba
Yokai

Nando-baba (納戸婆)

An old-woman spirit who hides under the floor in abandoned storerooms and startles or haunts intruders.

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131

Narikama
Yokai

Narikama (鳴釜)

A kettle spirit whose ringing sound is a good omen or a sign of divine presence in Japanese folklore.

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124

Nebutori
Yokai

Nebutori (寝太り)

A spook-disease which causes a woman to grow immensely fat and lethargic while sleeping, often attributed to spiritual interference.

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144

Nekomusume
Yokai

Nekomusume (猫娘)

A cat yokai in the form of a young girl, blending innocence with mysterious feline powers.

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132

Nikusui
Yokai

Nikusui (肉吸い)

A monster which appears as a young woman and sucks all of the flesh off of its victim's body.

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126

Ningyo
Yokai

Ningyo (人魚)

A fish person or mermaid in Japanese folklore, said to grant longevity if eaten, but also brings misfortune.

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145

Nobusuma
Yokai

Nobusuma (のぶすま)

A supernatural wall or flying squirrel-like yokai that blocks travelers or glides across the night sky.

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125

Noppera-bō
Yokai

Noppera-bō (のっぺら坊)

A faceless ghost that appears in human form before revealing a blank, featureless face to unsuspecting victims.

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139

Nozuchi
Yokai

Nozuchi (野槌)

Another name for the tsuchinoko serpent, a snake-like creature said to inhabit the mountainous regions of Japan, known for its rare sightings and mythical status.

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121

Nue
Yokai

Nue (鵺)

A monkey-headed, tiger-bodied, snake-tailed monster that plagued the emperor with nightmares in the Heike Monogatari.

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140

Nukekubi
Yokai

Nukekubi (抜け首)

A vicious human-like monster whose head detaches from its body and flies through the night in search of prey.

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189

Nuppefuhofu
Yokai

Nuppefuhofu (ぬっぺふほふ)

An animated lump of decaying human flesh that wanders abandoned places, emitting a horrific stench.

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124

Nure-onna
Yokai

Nure-onna (濡女)

A deceptive yokai with the body of a snake and the head of a woman. She appears near the shore, luring victims with a fake baby.

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148

Nuribotoke
Yokai

Nuribotoke (塗仏)

A disturbing yokai resembling a decayed blackened corpse with dangling eyeballs, said to sneak out of Buddhist altars at night.

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128

Nurikabe
Yokai

Nurikabe (ぬりかべ)

A ghostly wall yokai that blocks the path of nighttime travelers, appearing as an invisible barrier in Japanese folklore.

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125

Nurarihyon
Yokai

Nurarihyon (ぬらりひょん)

A mysterious yokai that sneaks into homes during busy times, acting like the master of the house and sipping tea uninvited.

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124

Nyūbachibō
Yokai

Nyūbachibō (乳鉢坊)

A tsukumogami born from an old mortar, the Nyūbachibō is a kitchen spirit that comes to life when neglected or disrespected.

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119

Ohaguro-bettari
Yokai

Ohaguro-bettari (お歯黒べったり)

A faceless woman yokai who appears in bridal attire, revealing only a wide mouth with black teeth to terrify unsuspecting viewers.

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172

Oiwa
Yokai

Oiwa (お岩)

The ghost of a woman with a disfigured face who was betrayed and murdered by her husband, one of Japan’s most famous onryō.

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139

Ōkamuro
Yokai

Ōkamuro (大顔)

A giant ghostly face that appears at the doorway, causing shock and paralysis in those who see it.

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129

Ōkubi
Yokai

Ōkubi (大首)

A giant ghostly woman’s face that appears in the sky, often as a sign of warning or punishment.

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135

Okuri-inu
Yokai

Okuri-inu (送り犬)

A ghostly dog or wolf that follows night travelers in the mountains—helpful if respected, deadly if slighted.

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133

Ōmukade
Yokai

Ōmukade (大百足)

A colossal, venomous centipede known for battling dragons and threatening mountain paths and lakes.

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234

Oni
Yokai

Oni (鬼)

The classic horned demon of Japanese folklore, known for its monstrous strength, terrifying appearance, and symbolic role in warding off evil.

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181

Onibi
Yokai

Onibi (鬼火)

Mysterious floating flames believed to be ghost fires or spiritual energy, often seen near graves or haunted places in the night.

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162

Onikuma
Yokai

Onikuma (鬼熊)

A legendary bear that walks upright and raids villages at night, stealing livestock and terrifying residents.

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152

Onmoraki
Yokai

Onmoraki (陰摩羅鬼)

A bird-like demon yokai formed from the spirits of the dead, appearing in temples and graveyards due to neglected funeral rites.

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130

Otoroshi
Yokai

Otoroshi (おとろし)

Otoroshi is a hairy yokai that guards the gates of sacred places, silently watching and punishing those with impure hearts.

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134

Raijū
Yokai

Raijū (雷獣)

A beast made of lightning that falls from the sky during storms and sometimes curls up in sleeping people's bellies.

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347

Rokurokubi
Yokai

Rokurokubi (ろくろ首)

A mysterious yokai whose neck can stretch to extreme lengths at night, often terrifying people while they sleep.

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150

Sagari
Yokai

Sagari (さがり)

A ghostly horse’s head said to hang from trees on Kyūshū, emitting eerie cries and bringing misfortune.

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127

Sa Gojō
Yokai

Sa Gojō (沙悟浄)

The Japanese interpretation of Sha Wujing, the water-monster from Journey to the West, often seen as a kappa-like river yokai.

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119

Samebito
Yokai

Samebito (鮫人)

A shark-man yokai who once served the Dragon King of the Sea, known for crying jewel-like tears of blood and showing compassion.

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134

Sarugami
Yokai

Sarugami (猿神)

Sarugami is a wicked monkey spirit from Japanese folklore that terrorized villages by demanding human sacrifices, but was ultimately defeated by a heroic dog.

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141

Satori
Yokai

Satori (覚)

Satori is an ape-like yokai from the mountains of Japan that can instantly read the minds of any human it encounters.

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130

Sazae-oni
Yokai

Sazae-oni (栄螺鬼)

Sazae-oni is a turban snail yokai from the sea that disguises itself as a beautiful woman to deceive sailors and exact revenge.

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137

Sunekosuri
Yokai

Sunekosuri (すねこすり)

Sunekosuri is a small creature that rubs against people’s legs at night, causing them to stumble as they walk.

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186

Taka-onna
Yokai

Taka-onna (高女)

A mysterious female yokai with the ability to stretch her body to immense heights in order to peer into second-story windows, often appearing suddenly to frighten people.

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130

Tamamo-no-Mae
Yokai

Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前)

A legendary nine-tailed fox spirit who disguised herself as a courtesan. She caused disasters in the imperial court and was eventually sealed into the Killing Stone.

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138

Tankororin
Yokai

Tankororin (たんころりん)

An eerie yokai formed from an unharvested persimmon left to rot, glowing faintly and rolling across roads to spook travelers at night.

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118

Tatami-tataki
Yokai

Tatami-tataki (畳叩き)

Tatami-tataki is a poltergeist known for beating the tatami mats at night, creating eerie noises in haunted or abandoned homes.

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126

Tengu
Yokai

Tengu (天狗)

Tengu are legendary yokai with bird-like features and supernatural powers, known for dwelling in the mountains and challenging the arrogant.

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129

Tenjōname
Yokai

Tenjōname (天井嘗)

Tenjōname is a creepy yokai known for haunting unkempt homes and licking the ceilings with its long tongue, leaving behind stains.

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130

Tennin
Yokai

Tennin (天人)

Tennin are celestial women from Buddhist mythology, often seen as graceful, divine beings who descend to Earth in flowing robes to perform dances or deliver messages.

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132

Te-no-me
Yokai

Te-no-me (手の目)

Te-no-me is the ghost of a blind man who has eyes on the palms of his hands. It is said to wander cemeteries, seeking the one who wronged him in life.

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125

Tesso
Yokai

Tesso (鉄鼠)

Tesso is the vengeful spirit of the monk Raigō who transformed into a swarm of rats to destroy his enemies after being wronged.

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134

Tōfu-kozō
Yokai

Tōfu-kozō (豆腐小僧)

Tōfu-kozō is a small yokai boy who silently offers tofu to passersby, typically harmless but eerie in folklore.

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137

Toire-no-Hanakosan
Yokai

Toire-no-Hanakosan (トイレの花子さん)

Toire-no-Hanakosan is the ghost of a schoolgirl said to haunt the third stall of school restrooms, featured in one of Japan's most iconic urban legends.

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142

Tōtetsu
Yokai

Tōtetsu (饕餮)

Tōtetsu is the Japanese interpretation of the Taotie, a legendary Chinese beast known for its greed and monstrous appetite.

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298

Tsurara-onna
Yokai

Tsurara-onna (氷柱女)

Tsurara-onna is a wintry yokai formed from icicles, appearing as a beautiful woman during cold nights.

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135

Tsuchigumo
Yokai

Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛)

Tsuchigumo is a monstrous spider yokai that traps warriors using illusions and was famously defeated by Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

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162

Tsuchikorobi
Yokai

Tsuchikorobi (土転び)

Tsuchikorobi is a tumbling monster said to roll down forested slopes and knock over travelers, often used as a warning for those wandering alone.

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157

Tsuchinoko
Yokai

Tsuchinoko (槌の子)

Tsuchinoko is a short, fat snake-like creature from Japanese folklore known for its elusive nature, ability to jump, and trickster personality.

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186

Tsukumogami
Yokai

Tsukumogami (付喪神)

Tsukumogami are household items that come to life after a hundred years, becoming sentient yokai, often mischievous or vengeful.

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212

Tsurube-otoshi
Yokai

Tsurube-otoshi (釣瓶落とし)

Tsurube-otoshi is a monstrous yokai that drops from the treetops to crush or consume people passing underneath at night.

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133

Uma-no-ashi
Yokai

Uma-no-ashi (馬の脚)

Uma-no-ashi is a bizarre yokai in the form of a horse’s leg that dangles from trees and kicks unsuspecting travelers as they pass beneath.

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134

Umibōzu
Yokai

Umibōzu (海坊主)

Umibōzu is a giant, shadowy spirit of the sea said to appear suddenly and capsize boats, terrifying sailors across Japan’s coasts.

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145

Umi-nyōbō
Yokai

Umi-nyōbō (海女房)

Umi-nyōbō is a mysterious female sea yokai who steals fish from boats, embodying the untamed and greedy spirit of the ocean.

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130

Ungaikyō
Yokai

Ungaikyō (雲外鏡)

Ungaikyō is a mysterious mirror yokai that reveals hidden visions, truths, and illusions, serving as a supernatural tool of insight and sometimes deception.

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140

Ushi-oni
Yokai

Ushi-oni (牛鬼)

Ushi-oni is a terrifying yokai with an ox’s head and monstrous body, known for terrorizing coastal villages and symbolizing chaos and destruction.

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148

Wanyūdō
Yokai

Wanyūdō (輪入道)

Wanyūdō is a horrifying yokai in the form of a flaming wheel bearing a human face, known for stealing the souls of those who gaze upon it.

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155

Yagyō-san
Yokai

Yagyō-san (夜行さん)

A demon who rides through the night on a headless horse, bringing misfortune to anyone who sees him.

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127

Yadōkai
Yokai

Yadōkai (夜道怪)

Corrupted monks in Japanese folklore who turned away from spiritual discipline and became malevolent or mischievous spirits.

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174

Yama-biko
Yokai

Yama-biko (山彦)

A spirit believed to cause echoes in Japan’s mountainous regions, often appearing as a small, elusive creature.

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118

Yama-bito
Yokai

Yama-bito (山人)

The wild people of the mountains, said to be hidden tribes or yokai living deep in Japan’s forests.

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126

Yama-chichi
Yokai

Yama-chichi (山父)

A monkey-like spirit that lives in the mountains and is said to steal the breath of sleeping travelers.

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138

Yama-inu
Yokai

Yama-inu (山犬)

A mysterious mountain dog spirit in Japanese folklore, sometimes seen as a protector and sometimes as a dangerous predator.

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149

Yama-otoko
Yokai

Yama-otoko (山男)

A giant wild man from the mountains in Japanese folklore, sometimes friendly, sometimes fearsome.

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157

Yama-oroshi
Yokai

Yama-oroshi (山颪)

A humorous yokai that takes the form of a radish grater, its name a pun on “mountain storm.”

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138

Yamata-no-Orochi
Yokai

Yamata-no-Orochi (八岐大蛇)

An eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon slain by Susanoo in ancient Japanese mythology.

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198

Yama-waro
Yokai

Yama-waro (山童)

A hairy, one-eyed spirit believed to be a kappa who migrates to the mountains, known for mischief and pranks.

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147

Yanari
Yokai

Yanari (家鳴)

Poltergeist-like spirits that cause mysterious noises in houses, often associated with haunted homes and disturbed energy.

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143

Yatagarasu
Yokai

Yatagarasu (八咫烏)

A three-legged crow sent by the sun goddess Amaterasu to guide the first emperor of Japan. It symbolizes divine guidance and is a national symbol of Japan.

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179

Yato-no-kami
Yokai

Yato-no-kami (夜刀神)

Deadly snake deities from Hitachi Province that brought death to those who saw them. Yato-no-kami were exterminated to purify the land and allow human settlement.

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159

Yomotsu-shikome
Yokai

Yomotsu-shikome (黄泉醜女)

Foul hags from Yomi, the Japanese underworld. They were sent by Izanami to punish Izanagi for fleeing after seeing her decayed form in the land of the dead.

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180

Yōsei
Yokai

Yōsei (妖精)

The Japanese word for fairy, yōsei refers to small nature spirits or magical beings. Their depiction often blends Western fantasy fairies with Japanese mythological elements.

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130

Yosuzume
Yokai

Yosuzume (夜雀)

A mysterious bird yokai known for its eerie chirping at night. Hearing the cry of a Yosuzume is often seen as a bad omen, especially in tales involving the okuri-inu.

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140

Yukinko
Yokai

Yukinko (雪ん子)

A child-like snow yokai that appears during heavy snowfall. It is known to either help or mislead travelers, representing both the beauty and danger of winter.

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157

Yuki-onna
Yokai

Yuki-onna (雪女)

A snow yokai known for her ghostly beauty and icy touch. She appears during snowstorms and may show mercy or doom to those who meet her.

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133

Zunbera-bō
Yokai

Zunbera-bō (ずんべら坊)

Zunbera-bō is another name for the noppera-bō, a faceless ghost that shocks people with its eerie lack of facial features.

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123

Taimatsumaru
Yokai

Taimatsumaru (松明丸)

Taimatsumaru is a tengu surrounded in demonic fire, known for testing spiritual travelers and symbolizing the dangers and revelations of flame.

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124

Sakabashira
Yokai

Sakabashira (逆柱)

Sakabashira is a haunted pillar installed upside-down in buildings, believed to attract bad luck, spirits, and structural imbalance.

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134

Oboro-guruma
Yokai

Oboro-guruma (朧車)

Oboro-guruma is a ghostly oxcart that appears at night, bearing the face of a tormented driver. It is said to creak eerily and herald misfortune.

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125