A ghostly horse’s head said to hang from trees on Kyūshū, emitting eerie cries and bringing misfortune.
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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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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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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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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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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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Seiryū is the Azure Dragon of the East, a guardian spirit in Japanese and Chinese cosmology representing spring, wood, and protection.
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Senpoku-Kanpoku is a mysterious human-faced frog yokai believed to appear at death and escort spirits to the afterlife.
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Sesshō-seki is the legendary Killing Stone, tied to the death of Tamamo-no-Mae. It was believed to kill anyone who touched it and is one of the most feared cursed items in Japanese folklore.
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Setotaishō is a yokai warrior born from the shards of discarded pottery. Said to haunt kilns and storerooms, he represents the forgotten value of craftsmanship and neglected items.
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Shachihoko is a tiger-headed fish from Japanese mythology, commonly used in architecture as a rooftop ornament to prevent fires and guard buildings from harm.
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Shibaten is a type of mischievous kappa from the Shikoku region. Known for pranks and shapeshifting, it lives in rivers and tests the manners of travelers.
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Shikigami are summoned spirits from Japanese folklore, controlled by Onmyōji to carry out tasks such as protection, attack, or espionage.
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Shiki-ōji is the most elite type of shikigami in Japanese folklore, summoned by powerful Onmyōji as a guardian spirit of immense strength and rank.
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Shikome are grotesque female spirits sent by Izanami to chase Izanagi out of the underworld, embodying death’s fury and decay.
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Shiro-bōzu is a mysterious white, faceless spirit known to appear silently in abandoned places, stirring a deep sense of fear and unease.
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Shinigami are death spirits in Japanese folklore. Often likened to the Grim Reaper, they lead humans toward death or appear at the moment of passing.
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Shiro-uneri is a yokai formed from an old white dishcloth. Over time, it becomes animated and transforms into a twisting, dragon-like spirit.
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Shiryō are the spirits of the dead that linger in the world of the living, sometimes appearing due to sorrow, anger, or unfinished business.
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Shisa are lion-dog figures from Okinawan mythology, often placed in pairs at entrances to protect against evil and invite good fortune.
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Shishi are lion-dog statues placed at temple gates in Japan to ward off evil and balance spiritual forces. They appear in pairs, representing the cosmic syllables A and Un.
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Shōjō are red-haired sea-spirits known for their love of sake and joy. They appear in theater and folklore as dancing, laughing, and drinking beings that bring happiness and fortune.
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Shōkera is a mysterious yokai that peers into houses through skylights, believed to watch human behavior and quietly pass judgment. It serves as a reminder that one’s actions are always seen.
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Shōki, also known as Zhong Kui, is a legendary demon-queller adopted into Japanese folklore. He is revered as a protective spirit who guards homes from evil and appears during seasonal festivals.
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Shunoban is a red-faced ghost or ghoul in Japanese folklore that startles people by appearing suddenly on dark streets. Though harmless, it is deeply unsettling and may symbolize fear itself.
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Shuten-dōji is a fearsome oni from Mt. Ōe in Japanese folklore. Known for kidnapping noble women and indulging in sake and violence, he was ultimately slain by the hero Raikō. His tale remains one of the most enduring legends of demon lore in Japan.
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Sodehiki-kozō is an invisible yokai known for sneaking up on unsuspecting pedestrians and tugging at their sleeves, startling them before vanishing without a trace.
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Sōjōbō is the daitengu of Mount Kurama, regarded as the king of all tengu. He is known for his martial prowess, deep wisdom, and for teaching the young Yoshitsune legendary swordsmanship.
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Sōgenbi is a flaming ghost from Kyoto, said to be the spirit of a monk cursed for stealing oil from a temple. It appears as a floating, weeping, fiery head near the Sōgen field.
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Son Gokū is the Japanese interpretation of Sun Wukong, the monkey king from Journey to the West. Known for his strength and magical abilities, he is a beloved trickster and hero figure.
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Soragami is a disciplinary tengu-like demon summoned to punish spiritual wrongdoing. It appears in stormy forms and enacts justice in traditional rituals.
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Soraki-gaeshi is an eerie auditory yokai event where the sound of trees being felled echoes through the forest, but no evidence of logging can be found.
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Sorobanbōzu is a ghostly monk who appears at night with an abacus, making eerie counting sounds in darkened buildings.
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Sōtangitsune is a legendary fox spirit from Kyoto, known for its refined wisdom, shapeshifting abilities, and connection to tea culture.
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Sunakake-baba is a sand-throwing hag yokai who blinds travelers by casting sand into their eyes at night.
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Sunekosuri is a small creature that rubs against people’s legs at night, causing them to stumble as they walk.
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Suppon-no-yūrei is a ghost with the eerie face of a soft-shelled turtle, haunting areas with a grotesque and unsettling presence.
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Suzaku is the Vermilion Bird of the South, a fiery guardian from East Asian cosmology representing summer, fire, and the southern direction.
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Sakabashira is a haunted pillar installed upside-down in buildings, believed to attract bad luck, spirits, and structural imbalance.
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