Delve into the mystique of evil Japanese spirits and their unique names. Unearth the chilling tales and cultural significance surrounding them.
Importance of Evil Japanese Spirit Names
Cultural Relevance
Discover how these spirits have influenced Japanese culture and folklore for centuries.
Linguistic Intricacies
Explore the rich meanings and symbolism encoded within the names of these malevolent entities.
What are the Evil Japanese Spirit Names
Intriguing and ominous, these names carry the weight of dark legends. Here are four categories of malevolent Japanese spirits and 15 unique names for each.
Yūrei (幽霊) – Ghosts
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onryō | 怨霊 | On-ryoh | Vengeful Spirit |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
| Oiwa | お岩 | Oh-ee-wah | Ghost of Oiwa |
Yōkai (妖怪) – Supernatural Creatures
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amanojaku | 天邪鬼 | Ah-mah-noh-jah-koo | Perverse Spirit |
| Rokurokubi | 轆轤首 | Roh-koo-roh-koo-bee | Long-Necked Woman |
| Noppera-bo | のっぺらぼう | Noh-peh-rah-boh | Faceless Ghost |
| Nurarihyon | ぬらりひょん | Noo-rah-ree-hyon | The Old Man in the House |
| Tsuchigumo | 土蜘蛛 | Tsoo-chee-goo-moh | Ground Spider |
| Tengu | 天狗 | Ten-goo | Heavenly Dog |
| Nure-Onna | 濡れ女 | Noo-ray-oh-nah | Wet Woman |
| Kawa-no-Kami | 河の神 | Kah-wah-noh-kah-mee | River Deity |
| Hitodama | 人魂 | Hee-toh-dah-mah | Human Soul |
| Kasa-obake | 傘おばけ | Kah-sah-oh-bah-keh | Umbrella Ghost |
| Funayurei | 船幽霊 | Foo-nah-yoo-ray | Ship Ghost |
| Ningyo | 人魚 | Neen-gyoh | Mermaid |
| Nuppeppo | ぬっぺっぽう | Noo-peh-poh-poh | Bloated Corpse |
| Shirime | 尻目 | Shee-ree-meh | Butt-Eye |
| Kubinashi | 首無し | Koo-bee-nah-shee | Headless |
Oni (鬼) – Demons
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shuten-doji | 酒呑童子 | Shoo-ten-doh-jee | Drunken Boy |
| Ibaraki-doji | 茨木童子 | Ee-bah-rah-kee-doh-jee | Thorny Boy |
| Aka-Manto | 赤マント | Ah-kah-mahn-toh | Red Cape |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Goblin |
| Umibozu | 海坊主 | Oo-mee-boh-zoo | Sea Monk |
| Amanozako | 天逆毎 | Ah-mah-noh-zah-koh | Heavenly Fierce Woman |
| Gozu | 牛頭 | Goh-zoo | Ox-Head |
| Mezu | 馬頭 | Meh-zoo | Horse-Face |
| Nurarihyon | ぬらりひょん | Noo-rah-ree-hyon | The Old Man in the House |
| Namahage | 生剥 | Nah-mah-hah-geh | Demon Visiting Homes |
| Akashita | 赤舌 | Ah-kah-shee-tah | Red Tongue |
| Shirai | 白衣 | Shee-rah-ee | White Robe |
| Abura-sumashi | あぶらすまし | Ah-boo-rah-soo-mah-shee | Oil Presser |
| Dokkaebi | 도깨비 | Doh-kah-eh-bee | Goblin (Korean Origin) |
| Hannya | 般若 | Hahn-nyah | Wisdom (Used in Noh Theater) |
Tengu (天狗) – Long-Nosed Goblins
| Name | Kanji Text | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tengubozu | 天狗坊主 | Ten-goo-boh-zoo | Tengu Monk |
| Sōjōbō | 僧正坊 | Soh-joh-boh | High Priest Tengu |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Tengu |
| Aka-Tengu | 赤天狗 | Ah-kah-ten-goo | Red Tengu |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Goblin |
| Tengu-Kurō | 天狗九郎 | Ten-goo-koo-roh | Tengu Ninth Son |
| Tengu-Kōrin | 天狗香林 | Ten-goo-koh-reen | Tengu Incense Forest |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Tengu |
| Aka-Tengu | 赤天狗 | Ah-kah-ten-goo | Red Tengu |
| Tengu-Tsubute | 天狗礫 | Ten-goo-tsoo-boo-teh | Tengu Pebble |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Goblin |
| Tengu-Hōko | 天狗崩湖 | Ten-goo-hoh-koh | Tengu Collapsed Lake |
| Tengu-Enra | 天狗煙羅 | Ten-goo-en-rah | Tengu Smoke Net |
| Karasu-Tengu | 烏天狗 | Kah-rah-soo-ten-goo | Crow Tengu |
| Tengu-Enkō | 天狗円光 | Ten-goo-en-koh | Tengu Circular Light |
The Significance of Choosing Evil Japanese Spirit Names
The selection of these malevolent spirit names goes beyond mere labels. Explore their significance:
How a name can shape a person’s identity and personality:
Just as names hold power, the names of these spirits evoke specific emotions and stories.
The psychological and cultural factors at play when naming:
Dive into the psychological impact these names can have on individuals and their roles in Japanese culture and folklore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people still believe in these spirits and incorporate them into various cultural practices.
Yes, many spirits have both benevolent and malevolent aspects in Japanese folklore.
Yes, various rituals are performed to appease or ward off these spirits.
They continue to inspire art, literature, and media, contributing to Japan’s rich cultural tapest
Conclusion
The world of evil Japanese spirit names is a captivating journey into the supernatural realms of Japanese folklore. These names carry tales of vengeance, transformation, and the mysterious unknown. As we conclude our exploration, it’s evident that these names are more than words; they are gateways to a realm where the ordinary and the otherworldly collide.