The Japanese interpretation of Sha Wujing, the water-monster from Journey to the West, often seen as a kappa-like river...
724
A ghostly horse’s head said to hang from trees on Kyūshū, emitting eerie cries and bringing misfortune.
800
Sakabashira is a haunted pillar installed upside-down in buildings, believed to attract bad luck, spirits, and structura...
779
A shark-man yokai who once served the Dragon King of the Sea, known for crying jewel-like tears of blood and showing com...
1096
Sarugami is a wicked monkey spirit from Japanese folklore that terrorized villages by demanding human sacrifices, but wa...
979
Satori is an ape-like yokai from the mountains of Japan that can instantly read the minds of any human it encounters.
952
Sazae-oni is a turban snail yokai from the sea that disguises itself as a beautiful woman to deceive sailors and exact r...
902
Seiryū is the Azure Dragon of the East, a guardian spirit in Japanese and Chinese cosmology representing spring, wood, a...
1831
Senpoku-Kanpoku is a mysterious human-faced frog yokai believed to appear at death and escort spirits to the afterlife.
880
Sesshō-seki is the legendary Killing Stone, tied to the death of Tamamo-no-Mae. It was believed to kill anyone who touch...
868
Setotaishō is a yokai warrior born from the shards of discarded pottery. Said to haunt kilns and storerooms, he represen...
775
Shachihoko is a tiger-headed fish from Japanese mythology, commonly used in architecture as a rooftop ornament to preven...
1039
Shibaten is a type of mischievous kappa from the Shikoku region. Known for pranks and shapeshifting, it lives in rivers...
654
Shiki-ōji is the most elite type of shikigami in Japanese folklore, summoned by powerful Onmyōji as a guardian spirit of...
891
Shikigami are summoned spirits from Japanese folklore, controlled by Onmyōji to carry out tasks such as protection, atta...
1432
Shikome are grotesque female spirits sent by Izanami to chase Izanagi out of the underworld, embodying death’s fury and...
703
Shinigami are death spirits in Japanese folklore. Often likened to the Grim Reaper, they lead humans toward death or app...
2548
Shiro-bōzu is a mysterious white, faceless spirit known to appear silently in abandoned places, stirring a deep sense of...
843
Shiro-uneri is a yokai formed from an old white dishcloth. Over time, it becomes animated and transforms into a twisting...
1070
Shiryō are the spirits of the dead that linger in the world of the living, sometimes appearing due to sorrow, anger, or...
1061
Shisa are lion-dog figures from Okinawan mythology, often placed in pairs at entrances to protect against evil and invit...
856
Shishi are lion-dog statues placed at temple gates in Japan to ward off evil and balance spiritual forces. They appear i...
2074
Shōjō are red-haired sea-spirits known for their love of sake and joy. They appear in theater and folklore as dancing, l...
786
Shōkera is a mysterious yokai that peers into houses through skylights, believed to watch human behavior and quietly pas...
674
Shōki, also known as Zhong Kui, is a legendary demon-queller adopted into Japanese folklore. He is revered as a protecti...
1128
Shunoban is a red-faced ghost or ghoul in Japanese folklore that startles people by appearing suddenly on dark streets....
695
Shuten-dōji is a fearsome oni from Mt. Ōe in Japanese folklore. Known for kidnapping noble women and indulging in sake a...
1187
Sodehiki-kozō is an invisible yokai known for sneaking up on unsuspecting pedestrians and tugging at their sleeves, star...
754
Sōgenbi is a flaming ghost from Kyoto, said to be the spirit of a monk cursed for stealing oil from a temple. It appears...
811
Sōjōbō is the daitengu of Mount Kurama, regarded as the king of all tengu. He is known for his martial prowess, deep wis...
1073
Son Gokū is the Japanese interpretation of Sun Wukong, the monkey king from Journey to the West. Known for his strength...
1423
Soragami is a disciplinary tengu-like demon summoned to punish spiritual wrongdoing. It appears in stormy forms and enac...
830
Soraki-gaeshi is an eerie auditory yokai event where the sound of trees being felled echoes through the forest, but no e...
685
Sorobanbōzu is a ghostly monk who appears at night with an abacus, making eerie counting sounds in darkened buildings.
654
Sōtangitsune is a legendary fox spirit from Kyoto, known for its refined wisdom, shapeshifting abilities, and connection...
866
Sunakake-baba is a sand-throwing hag yokai who blinds travelers by casting sand into their eyes at night.
1069
Sunekosuri is a small creature that rubs against people’s legs at night, causing them to stumble as they walk.
1023
Suppon-no-yūrei is a ghost with the eerie face of a soft-shelled turtle, haunting areas with a grotesque and unsettling...
677
Suzaku is the Vermilion Bird of the South, a fiery guardian from East Asian cosmology representing summer, fire, and the...
1335
Yokai, oni, kitsune and spirits from folklore
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