Demons of Japanese mythology, their types and names. Japanese demons - full classification

Japan is an incredibly interesting country in East Asia, with many mysteries, secrets, and legends associated with it. For two hundred years, Japan was isolated from the rest of the world, which led to the creation of an unusual, but very interesting culture. The clearest example of this is the original Japanese mythology.

Despite the long isolation of the Land of the Rising Sun from European countries, Japan is full of diverse religions. Confucianism is practiced on its territory, some of which are almost ubiquitous. But most of the residents are converted to Shintoism.

However, in Japan there is also a special religious system - syncretism, which combines several different religions at once, which indicates the tolerance of the Japanese towards people of other faiths.

Demons and spirits

The basic principle of Japanese mythology is the belief in the divine origin of natural elements and that each thing has its own essence. Therefore, demons and spirits are also present in large numbers. Residents of Japan believe that supernatural beings can be both spirits and various animals. The spirit may represent what is supposed to be called yurei.

Ancient Japanese legends often feature ghosts of yokai - unpleasant-looking creatures with a long neck and a single eye. Mysterious creatures can be either evil or quite friendly, but they usually avoid people. In winter it is almost impossible to encounter this kind of evil spirits.

Aka-name (literally the name of the demon is translated as “licking dirt”). This character visits unscrupulous people who forget to clean their bathhouses on time. It doesn't pose any threat, but it just looks disgusting. It is believed that people are beginning to take more care of the washing facilities, just so as not to meet Aka-name again.

Bake-zori. This is an old and shabby sandalwood, which the owners did not care for well. This shoe runs around the house and for some reason sings songs. Moreover, the songs are quite stupid in content.

Bake-neko, an animal in the form of a giant cat. According to the Japanese, in order to obtain a bake-neko, one must own a domestic cat and feed it in one place for 13 years. Then the cat turns into a ghost, grows up to one and a half meters, gains the ability to create illusions and walk on two legs. She becomes a keeper for people who have treated her well. For those who chased the cat, bake-neko brings misfortune.

Gyuki or yushi-oni. This is a chimera with a body like a bull. The gyuki's favorite habitat is bodies of water - ponds, rivers, lakes or waterfalls. Sometimes yushi-oni can take the form of an attractive girl. The demon pursues its victim completely silently; it is impossible to hide from it even at the ends of the Earth. Gyuki drinks the shadow of a person, after which the victim soon falls ill and dies.

Jubokko are carnivorous trees. Probably everyone knows that medieval Japan was a rather warlike country. Bloody battles almost constantly took place on its territory, which gave rise to the myth of jubokko. According to legend, special trees grew at battle sites that had a taste for human blood. They caught unwary travelers with their branches and then drank their blood.

Deities and heroes

Japan is rich in temples of a wide variety of deities. Some of them are credited with the creation of the earth's firmament, the firmament, the sun, people and animals. Japanese sacred texts tell of events that took place from the creation of the world and the deities to the beginning of the reign of the emperors. It should be noted that nothing is said about the time frame in the ancient manuscripts.

It is quite obvious that the first myths of Japan tell about the origin of the world. According to them, initially there was a certain chaos, which was later divided into the Takamagahara Plain and the island of Akushisima, which is called the “island of dragonflies.” Later, various deities appeared, pairs of brothers and sisters who symbolized the elements of nature. The most important deities for the inhabitants of ancient Japan were the god Izanagi and the goddess Izanami. From the marriage of this couple, a large number of different islands appeared, inhabited by people and other gods.

Goddess Izanami fell ill and passed away immediately after giving birth to the deity of Fire. She found herself in the afterlife, which in Japanese mythology is called “Yomi’s darkness.” There is no way back from this place. Her husband, the god Izanagi, was unable to meekly accept the death of his wife and hurried after her. However, Izanagi found his wife not in the best condition, and fled from the world of darkness, blocking the entrance to it behind him.

The goddess was angry because of her husband's action and promised him that every day she would take the lives of many thousands of people. This myth shows that anyone can die, even God. Therefore, attempts to return those who have left are pointless. Another legend tells how Izanagi returned from a dark world and washed away all the filth from himself after visiting the “darkness of Yomi”. From the drops that fell from it, a new deity of the Sun appeared - the goddess Amaterasu.

Shintoism - the essence of the "divine path"

The most important religion of Japan, Shintoism, gave rise to the development of the mythology of the Land of the Rising Sun. The main Japanese religion is based on the reverence and worship of natural elements. The inhabitants of ancient Japan believed that absolutely every creature contains a certain divine essence “kami” (Japanese 神). Shintoism involves the worship of various deities and spirits of departed people.

The “Divine Path” includes the cult of the totem, witchcraft, the cult of protective amulets, rites and ritual actions. Buddhism had a significant influence on Shintoism, because the most important principle of the people of Japan is a calm life in harmony with the natural elements. The Japanese perceive the world as a place where people, gods and spirits live together.

A feature of Shintoism is the absence of strict frameworks and restrictions in the concept of good and evil. All mortal actions are assessed only by the purpose for which the individual performs them. In the Japanese view, a kind person is one who respects elders, treats people around him in a friendly manner, and is able to sympathize and help. Also, one of the first virtues is to do one’s duty. A bad person is selfish, impatient, and violates social norms.

In Shintoism there are no such absolute criteria as evil and good. A person must distinguish between these concepts himself, but for this he needs to live in harmony with the environment, cleanse his mind and body.

Japan is an amazing country of contrasts, where the achievements of high technology coexist perfectly with centuries-old traditions, and magical gardens and temples with skyscrapers, one glance at which will take your breath away. They say that a lifetime is not enough to experience Japan.

The unpredictability of the elements, geographical location and national character have formed a unique mythology with its own, sometimes so absurd, creatures, whose image and purpose are paradoxical for the understanding of Europeans. Let's take a look together at what mythical creatures live in Japan according to their mythology!

1) Yuki-onna

Some legends claim that yuki-onna, associated with winter and unbearable cold, is the spirit of a girl who perished forever in the snow. Her name means "snow woman" in Japanese. Yuki-onna appears on snowy nights as a tall, stately maiden in a white kimono with long black hair. She can hardly be seen against the background of snow thanks to her inhumanly pale, almost transparent skin. Despite their ephemeral beauty, the eyes of the yuki-onna strike fear into mortals. She floats through the snow, leaving no trace, and can turn into a cloud of fog or snow. According to some beliefs, she has no legs, and this is a feature of many Japanese ghosts.

The nature of yuki-onna varies from tale to tale. Sometimes she is simply content to see the victim die. More often, she is a vampire, brutally killing men for their blood and vital energy, sometimes she acts as a succubus. In many stories, the yuki-onna appears when travelers are lost in a snowstorm. After her breath, as icy as death itself, or a kiss, the travelers are left lying lifeless, numb corpses. Other legends give the yuki-onna an even more bloodthirsty and cruel character. She sometimes invades houses by blowing on the door with the force of a storm to kill all the inhabitants of the house in their sleep, but some legends say that she can only enter a house and harm people if she is invited inside as a guest.

2) Kappa

A type of merman, the embodiment of the deity of Water. Their appearance is very specific - something between a frog and a turtle: frog skin, a beak instead of a nose, fingers and toes connected by swimming membranes, short hair on the head. The body exudes a fishy odor. The kappa has a saucer on the top of its head, which gives it supernatural strength. It must always be filled with water, otherwise the kappa will lose its power or even die. The two arms of the mouth guard are connected to each other at the shoulder blades; if you pull on one, the other will shrink or may even fall out.

About a third of all images are kappas, similar to monkeys: the whole body is covered with hair, there are fangs in the mouth, the nose is almost invisible, there is a thumb on the hands, and a heel bone on the feet. Unlike a regular mouthguard, instead of a saucer on the head there is a depression in the shape of an oval saucer; there may be no turtle shell. Kappa is a fan of sumo wrestling and loves cucumbers, fish and fruit. It is believed that if you catch a kappa, it will fulfill any wish. Kappa was considered a very dangerous creature in Japan, which made its living by luring people and animals into the water by cunning or by force.

3) Jorogumo

A spider ghost that takes the form of a seductive woman. According to legends, yorogumo plays the lute in an abandoned hut in the forest to attract the attention of potential victims passing by. While a person listens to the enchanting music in fascination, the yorogumo wraps him in its web to provide food for itself and its offspring. According to some beliefs, after a spider has lived in the world for 400 years, it acquires magical powers. In many stories, the yorogumo, in the form of a beauty, asks a samurai to marry her, or, to inspire trust and sympathy, takes the form of a young woman holding a child, which is actually a clutch of spiders. Ancient Japanese drawings and engravings depict the yorogumo as half-woman, half-spider, surrounded by her children.

4) Kitsune

The image of the were-fox, the fox-spirit, is quite widespread in Asia. But outside the Japanese islands, they almost always appear as sharply negative and unlikable characters. In China and Korea, the fox is usually only interested in human blood. In the Land of the Rising Sun, the image of a were-fox is much more multifaceted. Integral to Japanese folklore and literature, Japanese kitsune possess elf, vampire, and werewolf traits. They can act both as carriers of pure evil and as messengers of divine forces. Their patron is the goddess Inari, whose temples certainly contain statues of foxes. Some sources indicate that Inari is the highest kitsune. She is usually accompanied by two snow-white foxes with nine tails. The Japanese treat kitsune with respect and a mixture of apprehension and sympathy.

The question of the origin of kitsune is complex and poorly defined. Most sources agree that some people who did not lead the most righteous, secretive and obscure way of life become kitsune after death. Gradually, the kitsune grows and gains strength, reaching adulthood at the age of 50-100, at which time it acquires the ability to change shape. The level of power of a werefox depends on age and rank, which is determined by the number of tails and the color of the skin. As foxes age, they acquire new ranks - with three, five, seven and nine tails. Nine-tails are the elite kitsune, at least 1000 years old, and have silver, white or golden skin.

As werewolves, kitsune are able to change the forms of humans and animals. However, they are not tied to the lunar phases and are capable of much deeper transformations than ordinary werewolves. According to some legends, kitsune are able, if necessary, to change gender and age, appearing either as a young girl or as a gray-haired old man. Like vampires, kitsune sometimes drink human blood and kill people, often, however, starting romantic relationships with them. Moreover, children from marriages between foxes and people inherit magical abilities and many talents.

5) Tanuki

Traditional Japanese werebeasts symbolizing happiness and prosperity, usually looking like raccoon dogs. The second most popular werewolf beast after the kitsune. Unlike kitsune, the image of tanuki is practically devoid of negative connotations. It is believed that tanuki are big sake lovers. Therefore, without his presence it is impossible to make good sake. For the same reason, tanuki figurines, sometimes quite large, are a decoration of many drinking establishments. They portray the tanuki as a fat, good-natured man with a noticeable paunch.

There is a belief that if you wrap a piece of gold in the skin of a tanuki and beat it, it will increase in size. Thanks to this, tanuki is revered not only as the patron of drinking establishments, but also as the patron of trade. A particularly large number of stories about tanuki can be found on the island of Shikoku, which is due to the absence of foxes on this island. Popular legend explains this by saying that in the past all foxes were driven off the island.

6) Bakeneko

Magic cat, the third most popular Japanese werewolf after kitsune and tanuki. There are several ways for a cat to become a bakeneko: reach a certain age, grow to a certain size, or have a long tail that subsequently forks. Any cat can become a bakeneko if it either lives more than thirteen years, or weighs 1 kan (3.75 kg), or has a long tail, which then forks.

Bakeneko can create ghostly fireballs, walk on its hind legs; she can eat her master and take his form. It was also believed that if such a cat jumped over a fresh corpse, it would revive it. Like the kitsune, the bakeneko primarily takes on a female form. However, more often than not, the bakeneko turns out to be the spirit of a deceased woman, using cat magic in order to take revenge on the husband through whose fault she died, or on another offender.

7) Nue

A chimera with the head of a monkey, the body of a tanuki, the paws of a tiger and a snake instead of a tail. Nue can turn into a black cloud and fly. They bring bad luck and illness. One legend tells that the Emperor of Japan fell ill after a nue settled on the roof of his palace in 1153. After the samurai killed the nue, the emperor recovered.

8) Nure-onna

An amphibious monster with the head of a woman and the body of a snake. Although descriptions of her appearance vary slightly from story to story, she is described as being up to 300 m long, with snake-like eyes, long claws and fangs. She is usually seen on the shore combing her beautiful long hair. The exact nature of the nure-onna's behavior and intentions are unknown. According to some legends, it is a cruel monster that feeds on people and is so strong that its tail crushes trees.

She carries around a small, baby-shaped package that she uses to attract potential victims. If someone offers nure-onna their help to hold the child, she will willingly allow them to do this, but the bag becomes increasingly heavier and prevents the person from escaping. Nure-onna uses its long, forked tongue, like a snake's, to suck out all the blood from the human body. According to other stories, nure-onna simply seeks solitude and is unhappy when her peace is interrupted.

9) Futakuchi-onna

Possessed, whose name means "woman with two mouths", one is normal, and the second is hidden at the back of the head under the hair. There the skull splits into pieces, forming the lips, teeth and tongue of a completely full second mouth. In legends, futakuchi-onna hides his supernatural nature until the last minute.

The origin of the second mouth is often related to how often and how much the future futakuchi-onna eats. In most stories, she is married to a miser and eats sparingly and rarely. To counteract this, a second mouth magically appears on the back of the head, which behaves hostilely towards its owner: it swears, threatens and demands food, if refused, causing her severe pain. The woman's hair begins to move like a pair of snakes, delivering food to the second mouth, which is so voracious that it consumes twice as much food as the woman eats through the first.

In some stories, the extra mouth is created when a husband accidentally hits his stingy wife in the head with an ax while chopping wood, and the wound never heals, transforming over time into a mouth. According to another version, a stepmother becomes obsessed and starves her stepson or stepdaughter, while her own child eats plenty. The spirit of a child who died of starvation inhabits the stepmother, or the stepdaughter suffering from hunger becomes a futakuchi-onna.

10) Rokurokubi

A werewolf demon with a snake neck. During the day, rokurokubi appear like normal humans, but at night they gain the ability to stretch their necks to enormous lengths, and can also change their faces to better frighten mortals. In their role in Japanese legends, rokurokubi are close to rogue characters who scare people, spy on them and play all sorts of cruel pranks, for which they sometimes pretend to be fools, drunk, blind, and so on.

Sometimes they are portrayed as very evil: they try to scare people to death or even attack people with the goal of killing and drinking their blood. According to Japanese legends, some rokurokubi often live inconspicuously in everyday life and may have human spouses. Some of them make desperate efforts not to turn into demons at night, some, on the contrary, like it, and some do not even know about their second nature. Some stories describe that rokurokubi are born as ordinary people, but turn into demons by changing their karma due to serious violation of any precepts or doctrines of Buddhism.

11) Kuchisake-onna

A ghost in the form of a woman with long hair wearing a gauze bandage or surgical mask covering the lower part of her face. Her name means "woman with a torn mouth" and she is a character in many films, anime and manga. The legend of kuchisake-onna became most famous in Japan at the turn of the 1970s and 80s, causing real panic. There are even reports that the administration of some Japanese schools and colleges at that time allegedly recommended that children go home accompanied by adults or at least in groups.

This legend itself has been known since the 17th century, when a woman was represented in the legend as covering her face with the sleeve of a kimono. The modern version of the urban legend goes like this: a masked woman stops a child and asks him, “Am I beautiful?” If the child answers no, she kills him with the scissors that she always carries with her. If he answers yes, the woman will take off her mask, revealing a mouth cut from ear to ear, with huge teeth and a snake tongue, and ask: “And now?” If the child answers no, he will be cut in half. If he answers yes, then she will cut his mouth in the same way as hers. If you do nothing, but simply turn around and leave, then the kuchisake-onna will still appear in front of the victim.

12) Zashiki-warashi

A spirit whose function is similar to the Russian brownie. According to legends, it can be found in large old houses that are well maintained. Good luck awaits the residents of the house in which the zashiki-warashi lives, and if the spirit leaves the house for some reason, it will soon fall into decay. To attract and keep a zashiki warashi in the home, he needs to be appreciated and cared for, but too much attention can scare him away.

Zashiki-warashi most often has cropped hair, a ruddy face and is a child in character, seemingly 5-6 years old, just like a real child, he is prone to harmless pranks that sometimes lead to trouble. It could, for example, sit on a futon where a guest is sleeping, turn over pillows, or cause sounds similar to music coming from rooms that no one is using. Sometimes he leaves small footprints in the ashes. There are different versions as to who can see the zashiki-warashi. Typically this opportunity is limited to permanent residents or only children.

13) They

Huge, evil, fanged and horned humanoid demons with red, blue or black skin who live in Jigoku, the Japanese equivalent of hell. European analogues are devils and demons. Very strong and difficult to kill, severed body parts grow back in place. In battle they use an iron club with spikes and wear a loincloth made of tiger skin. Despite their dull appearance, they are very cunning and intelligent; can turn into people, sometimes they are kind to people and even serve as their protectors. They love human meat. Some legends say that they hate soybeans. It is believed that people who do not control their anger can turn into oni.

14) Kirin

The unicorn, which represents the desire for a bountiful harvest and personal security. It is said that he is a fierce follower of justice and law, and that he sometimes appeared in court, killed the guilty and saved the innocent. Kirin is the most important animal deity, a messenger of favorable events, a symbol of prosperity and good luck. It has many descriptions, but most often it is depicted with a scaly body reminiscent of that of a sika deer, one horn and a bushy tail. Its body is often enveloped in flames, and the creature can breathe fire. This celestial creature does not step on plants and does not eat animal food. Kirin lives for two thousand years, and can be seen only once every millennium, at the beginning of a new era, he appears at the birth of a great leader. In modern Japanese, "kirin" is translated as "giraffe".

15) Shishi

In Japanese mythology, it is both a dog and a lion, traditionally decorating the entrances to sanctuaries and Buddhist temples and driving away evil spirits. When there are a pair of these creatures, one shishi is depicted with an open mouth, the second with a closed one, which means the beginning and end of all things, life and death. Usually a shishi holds a ball with its paw, which is interpreted as a symbol of Buddhist knowledge, bringing light into darkness and capable of fulfilling wishes. In the world, shishi is better known as the “Chinese lion,” while Japan has its own traditions and ways of depicting shishi, although in almost all Asian countries these dog-lions are quite similar and have the same meaning. Shishi came to Japan from China, where they were figurines and depicted exclusively a lion.

16) Okami

Wolf, messenger of the kami gods, a popular character in Japanese folklore. Okami understands human speech and knows how to look into people's hearts. Unlike the wolf from European myths and fairy tales, which was a negative character, okami acts as a protector of forests and mountains, an assistant to people in need, he warns villagers in advance about impending natural disasters, protects fields from trampling by wild boars and deer, and protects travelers in mountain forests. The image of a wolf at the temple, according to legend, protected against fire and theft.

17) Inugami

Weredogs. Typically, the Japanese worshiped dogs as guardians and protectors. It is believed that dogs give birth without pain, so pregnant women on certain days make sacrifices to dog statues and pray for a successful birth. According to legend, inugami can be summoned after an elaborate and brutal ceremony of killing a dog belonging to people wishing to summon a werewolf. Inugami are called to commit crimes - murder or kidnapping.

A strong sorcerer can order an inugami to inhabit a person’s body, in which case the possessed person kills himself or others and acts like a madman. But summoning inugami can be extremely dangerous for the sorcerer himself. Because the inugami's soul is tormented by constant rage and a thirst for revenge, he can break free from control and kill the one who caused him. Families who resort to the help of inugami are called “having a divine dog as a pet.” They traditionally marry only within their community.

18) Tsuchigumo

A race of giant arachnids; this term, meaning “dirty spider,” is also used in everyday life to refer to local clans that do not belong to the elite of Japanese society, and even earlier referred to the aboriginal tribes that inhabited the Japanese islands (possibly the Malays) and were exterminated by the ancestors of modern Japanese. Tsuchigumo spiders have the faces of devils, the body of a tiger and the limbs of a spider, they live in the mountains, catch unlucky travelers in their webs and devour them.

19) Tengu

The spirit is in the form of a winged man of enormous stature with a red face and a long nose or round eyes and a bird's beak instead of a nose. Tengu loves cleanliness, does not tolerate the proximity of people, fools travelers in the mountains, lumberjacks, scares them with thunderous laughter or an imitation of the sound of felled trees. According to popular beliefs, after death an angry or proud person can turn into a tengu.

Tengu are credited with extraordinary physical abilities and skill with bladed weapons. Occasionally, they serve as instructors in the arts of war and strategy to people they deem worthy. Also, noble tengu act as protectors of holy people and temples. However, more often than not, tengu are evil, mocking creatures that strive to harm people every time. These are cruel deceivers who cause fires and incite wars. Parents scare young children with them.

20) Ningyo

An immortal fish-like creature. In ancient times, they were described as having a human face, a monkey's mouth full of small teeth, a fish tail and shiny golden scales. They had a quiet voice, similar to the singing of a lark or the sound of a flute. Their meat has a pleasant taste, and those who taste it will achieve extraordinary longevity. However, the capture of ningyo was believed to bring storms and bad luck, so the fishermen who caught these creatures released them back into the sea. Ningyo washed ashore was an omen of war or disaster.

21) Tsukumogami

A thing that has acquired a soul and personality, a thing that has come to life. According to Japanese beliefs, tsukumogami comes from artifacts or things that exist for a very long period of time (a hundred years or more) and therefore became alive or gained consciousness. Any object of this age, from a sword to a toy, can become a tsukumogami. Tsukumogami are supernatural beings, as opposed to enchanted things. Also, things that have been forgotten or lost can become tsukumogami, in this case it takes less time to turn into tsukumogami; such things try to return to the owner. The appearance of tsukumogami in Japanese folklore dates back to approximately the 10th century and is part of the Shingon teaching, according to which every thing has a soul, but only ancient objects can show their character.

Tsukumogami vary greatly in their appearance - depending on the nature of the things from which they come and their character, it is determined by the disposition of the former owner and the emotions surrounding the object. Some - such as those that come from paper lanterns or torn shoes - can have breaks that become eyes and sharp teeth, giving the "face" a creepy appearance. Others, such as wearable rosary beads or cups of tea, may appear benevolent. The character of the animated umbrella will be very different from the character of the animated temple gong. Thus, it is impossible to unambiguously characterize tsukumogami as a malicious or good spirit, since, in fact, this is just the name of an entire class of spirits.

22) Kubire-oni

People possessed by this evil demon suffer from depression and feel an irresistible desire to hang themselves. It is believed that these spirits were generated by all the fear and despair that the hanged men experienced. Kubire-oni have their own belief: they are convinced that they will go to heaven if they force as many people as possible to commit suicide. This is a very dangerous demon, practically never leaving its victim and holding on to it until the end.

23) Nopperapon

A ghost that looks like a person during the day. At night, it is clear that nopperapon has a smooth ball instead of a face, and according to some sources, there are a hundred eyes on the calves of its legs. This famous faceless monster seems to take some special pleasure in scaring people. His appearance is always a complete surprise, but nopperapon never attacks its victims, but only scares them, so it can only pose a real danger to people with a weak heart.

24) Hari-onna

A ghost that appears as a beautiful woman with long flowing hair that she can control like tentacles. The ends of her hair end in hooks and spikes. It usually appears at night, walking along deserted roads and streets in search of young people. When she meets a guy she likes, she smiles at him. If the young man dares to smile back at her, Hari-onna attacks him. With sharp hooks at the ends of the hair, it digs into the clothes and flesh of a person. Tied by her hair, a person cannot escape, and meanwhile Hari-onna tears the helpless victim apart with her hooks.

25) Baku

Eaters of dreams and nightmares have a long history in Japanese folklore and art, and have more recently appeared in anime and manga. The Japanese word "baku" now has two meanings. This word refers to the mythical dream eater or tapir. In recent years, the manner of depicting Baku has changed. An early 17th-century Japanese manuscript describes the baku as a chimera with the trunk of an elephant, the eyes of a rhinoceros, the tail of a bull and the paws of a tiger, protecting against evil and pestilence, although devouring nightmares was not included among its characteristics that were later attributed to the baku. Since the 1980s, in manga, anime, and other forms of popular culture, the baku has appeared not as an elephant-tiger chimera, but as a zoologically recognizable tapir.

26) Raiju

Possible embodiment of lightning. His body is made of lightning, and he can appear in the form of a cat, fox, weasel, badger, monkey, or wolf. A common form for raiju is a white or blue wolf, or a wolf shrouded in lightning. During a thunderstorm, the raiju jumps from tree to tree; trees felled and split by lightning are considered the work of his claws. He can also fly like a ball of lightning, and his scream is like thunder. Raiju is the companion of Raiden, the Shinto god of thunder.

A peculiar behavior of raiju is the habit of sleeping in the human navel. This prompts Raiden to throw lightning bolts at the raiju to awaken it, thereby damaging the person on whose stomach the creature decides to take a nap. For this reason, the superstitious Japanese often sleep on their stomachs in inclement weather. Other legends say that the “thunder beast” hides in the belly buttons of only those people who sleep outdoors during a thunderstorm.

27) Nukekubi

Evil cannibal monsters from Japanese mythology, which during the day are practically indistinguishable from people. The only way to identify them is a stripe of red symbols running around the neck, and even that can easily be hidden under a necklace or collar. At night, their head is separated from the body along the same strip of symbols, breaks off and flies off in search of prey, and the body remains sitting where it was sitting. When attacking, the head of the nukekubi screams piercingly to paralyze the victim with fear. It is believed that the easiest way to defeat nukekubi is to prevent the head from connecting to the body: for example, hide the body in the bushes or drown it. If the head, returning from night flights, does not find its body, it will hit the floor three times, after which the nukekubi will die.

28) Gaki

Eternally hungry demons inhabit one of the Buddhist worlds - Gakido. Those who, during their life on earth, overeat or threw away completely edible food are reborn into them. The gaki's hunger is insatiable, but they cannot die from it. They eat anything, even their children, but they cannot get enough. Sometimes they end up in the human world and then become cannibals. Since 657, Japanese Buddhists have observed a special day in mid-August, during the Obon holiday, to commemorate Gaki. After such remembrance and remembrance (Segaki), the hungry ghosts can be released from the torment of their punishment.

29) Isonade

A huge sea monster, resembling a shark in appearance, living off the coast of Matsuura and other places in Western Japan. Isonade's body is always hidden under water, so it has never been seen, only a huge tail fin has been observed. The monster silently approaches the boats and, grabbing the net with its hooked tail, drags the fishermen into the sea, where it devours them. Isonade can also use its tail to capsize a boat or hit the coast with it, killing people there.

30) Umibozu

A spirit that lives in the ocean and capsizes the ship of anyone who dares to speak to him, since he perceives any word addressed to him as an insult. The name of this spirit, which combines the characters for "sea" and "Buddhist monk", refers to the fact that, according to legend, umibōzu has a large round head, reminiscent of the shaved heads of Buddhist monks. In other legends, they are huge ghosts that become victims of shipwrecks and dead fishermen. They are drowned monks, so they have a shaved head and usually look like they are praying.

Umibozu is reported in mythology as having a gray or black cloud-like torso and tentacle-like limbs. According to one story, if an umibōzu is angry, he demands that the crew roll a barrel onto the deck, which he will fill with seawater, after which he will sink their ship. To avoid this fate, it is necessary to give him a bottomless barrel. This folk legend is probably related to another Japanese tradition, which says that the souls of people who have no one to care for their graves take refuge in the sea.

31) Yamauba

Yamauba, which translates to "mountain witch", looks like a scary, ugly old woman. Her hair is unkempt, long and gray. Often depicted wearing a red kimono, dirty and torn. The witch’s huge mouth stretches across her entire face; according to some descriptions, she has two mouths. At the same time, the yamauba is able to change its appearance, which helps it lure gullible people to itself. Yamauba lives deep in the mountains and forests of Japan. And in our time, some areas of this country are named where, according to legend, these creatures live.

According to most legends, her home is something like a forest hut. The witch lures travelers lost in the forest to her and devours them. Sometimes she appears before her victim in the form of his relative or a beautiful girl, sometimes in her usual appearance, appearing as a helpless old woman. Having lulled the victim's vigilance, the yamauba kills him and devours him on the spot. Sometimes a witch lures the unwary into her hut, fattens them there and then eats them. Sometimes she, calling herself a guide, leads the unfortunate people into steep cliffs and pushes them into the abyss. In other cases, the yamauba is capable of turning its hair into poisonous snakes that sting the victim.

Yamauba is also accused of kidnapping and eating children. In Japan, parents use this image to scare their offspring if they disobey. Some legends say that the yamauba is a nocturnal creature, but during the day it is immobilized. It is also said that its only weak point is a certain flower in which the soul of the yamauba is located. If this flower is found and destroyed, the witch will die. Yamauba is not very intelligent, and sometimes her victims manage to outsmart the witch. On the other hand, she is a recognized master of witchcraft, an expert in healing and bewitching drinks, as well as poisons. There are cases when a witch shares her secret knowledge with any person if he delivers another person to her to be devoured or offers some other satanic exchange.

32) Ao-andon

A ghost from Japanese folklore associated with the popular game of telling horror stories at night. He supposedly looks like a man in a white kimono with blue skin, long black hair, two horns on his forehead and sharp black teeth. It was believed that ao-andon could appear closer to the morning, when the telling of the last story had ended and the lamp had been extinguished. If this happens, the last story told may actually happen. Therefore, during the game, many participants left it before dawn, leaving the audience, or, by mutual agreement, stopped at the 99th story for fear of the appearance of a ghost.

33) Tenyo kudari

A ghost that looks like an ugly old woman without clothes, with a long tongue, sharp teeth and a disheveled mop of hair. Most of the day it hides from its owners, hiding somewhere in the attic or in a narrow hole between the ceiling and the roof. And in the middle of the night it crawls out of its hiding place, moving upside down like a spider on the ceiling, to scare people to death or feed on them. In old Japanese legends you can find many stories related to the attic, where corpses were kept or prisoners, most often women, were kept. Obviously, tenyo kudari are associated with these superstitions.

34) Sagari

This strange apparition is characteristic of Western Japan and Kyushu and represents the head of a horse that falls down from tree branches to frighten travelers at night. The Sagari do nothing other than fall down in front of someone's face with terrible screams. However, those who hear the sagari neighing and howling may subsequently develop a high fever from shock. According to legend, sagaris are the spirits of horses that die on the road, and whose corpses are left to rot near the places where they fell. When the souls of horses leave their mortal bodies, they become entangled in tree branches. Thus, they cannot cross over to another world and turn into ghosts.

35) Onryo

The ghost of a deceased person who returned to the world of the living for the sake of revenge, restoration of justice, or fulfillment of some curse. Such a ghost is unable to find peace until it takes its revenge. Onryo are popular characters in modern pop culture. A typical onryo character is a married woman who died due to her husband's malicious intent. Male onryo are less common.

Classic onryo pursue the lovers who left them after death and ultimately drag them to hell. The ghost's wrath is not always directed against a specific offender - his victims can be innocent people. The traditional stage incarnation of an onryo looks like this: white funeral clothes, long black flowing hair, and characteristic white and blue makeup that imitates pallor.

36) Taka-onna

A peeping ghost who appears to be an inconspicuous woman most of the time, but has the gift of extending her torso to several meters in height. They are rarely seen outside of red light areas, however they are quite common. The real heyday of these ghosts was observed in the early 20th century until the post-war period, when the Japanese brothel industry gained strength.

Those who saw the ghosts claimed that taka-onna peeped into the windows of the second floor, where the girls usually received clients. Although they rarely physically attack people, taka-onna enjoy frightening the men and women who frequent such places. Taka-onna are jealous of human feelings and pleasures that they themselves have never had access to. It is said that taka-onna descended from ordinary women who were too unattractive to marry or find work in the establishments in whose windows they peeped. Jealousy, malice and envy that gnawed at their souls ultimately turned them into ugly, disgusting and evil monsters hunting for other people's sensual energy.

37) Akaname

Bath spirit, whose name literally means "licking mud", but in oral pronunciation is also similar to the expression "red mud". For this reason, Akaname is sometimes described as red-faced or red-skinned. Akaname is the personification of the fear that can visit a superstitious person in a dark, uninhabited building late at night. According to legends, this spirit comes out at night to lick the dirt accumulated in public baths, bathrooms in unwashed tanks and tubs. If you take a bath after being licked by an akaname, then this is fraught with some kind of disease. Thus, the image of Akaname reflected the observation that neglect of hygiene rules has a detrimental effect on health.

38) Gashadokuro

It is a giant skeleton that is fifteen times taller than an ordinary person. It is said that it arose from the collected bones of people who died of hunger. This ghost begins to wander after midnight, attacking lonely travelers and biting off their heads to drink the blood gushing from the body. Their appearance can be predicted by the characteristic ringing in the ear. Gashadokuro are said to be invisible and invulnerable, although there are amulets that keep them at bay.

39) Issy

A legendary monster that lives in Lake Ikeda on the island of Kyushu. The name is formed by analogy with the name of the famous Scottish Nessie. There are videos and photographs of the monster taken in different years, but they do not provide a complete picture of a living creature. According to legend, a white mare once lived on the shores of Lake Ikeda with her little foal. But the foal was kidnapped by a samurai, and, not finding him, the mother rushed into the lake. Her despair was so great that it turned her into a giant lizard-like monster, which since then regularly swims to the surface of the water, still trying to find that foal. The Japanese believe that this monster can bring bad luck, and for this reason, some of them forbid their children to play on the shore of the lake.

Lake Ikeda is replenished by precipitation and is located significantly above sea level, with which it is not connected; no river flows into it either. Thus, the hypothetical monster could not have entered the lake from the ocean. The bulk of reports about Issy come from 1991, when the video recording was made. By this time, however, Lake Ikeda was already a breeding ground for large (up to 2 m in length) Malayan eels, which were raised for sale. Therefore, an alternative hypothesis has been proposed, according to which Issy is simply a particularly large eel, or even a chain of eels swimming one after another. Opponents of the version, however, object that a string of two-meter eels does not look enough like a ten-meter monster. Another possible candidate, a large snapping turtle also observed in Lake Ikeda, is also too small to be mistaken for the five-meter-long hump of a possible monster.

40) Mu-onna

The vengeful spirit of a mother who lost her child due to famine or war. She comes to the aid of children in danger, but can also completely absorb or possess a child. Mu-onna spirits can look into a child’s soul to search for any information, merging with his biofield. To learn anything or to merge with the children's souls, the mu-onna must cast a spell and put the children into a deep sleep. Since mu-onna is created from the most tender maternal feelings, she can sacrifice herself and die to save the child in any situation.

Many evil demonic entities appear in Japanese fairy tales and legends. The image of Oni, the Japanese demon, is unusual for Europeans to understand. The appearance and magical abilities of the demon are combined with great cunning and cruelty.

About demonic entities

If you visit the Land of the Rising Sun for the first time, you will be surprised by the variety of ghosts, werewolves and demons. The same creature manifests itself differently in different situations. A demon who sets traps for people can help a mortal person for fun.

The werefox Kitsune is one of the most mysterious characters in Japanese folklore. She appears to travelers in the form of a seductive girl. A magical creature puts people in a trance and fools them. An offended fox can burn down a person's home. Sometimes they protect mortal people from harm and danger.

Japanese demons They (emphasis on the “o”) have several common characteristics with Slavic devils. This is the presence of horns, fangs and claws, an evil disposition, but the functions of Japanese demons are more diverse than the “responsibilities” of their Slavic counterparts.

Appearance and abilities

Their physique resembles that of muscular men. Demons have red, coal-black or blue skin and long horns. In Japanese folklore you can find references to three-eyed Oni. The 3rd eye is located on the forehead of the demonic creature.

Other characteristic features of the appearance of demons:

• high growth;
• presence of three fingers and toes;
• ugly face: each demon has growths on the forehead and cheeks;
• the devil's chin is very crooked;
• bloodthirsty grin;
• fangs protruding from the mouth;
• sharp talons;
• tiger skin loincloth.

In some images, demons are shown with fur on their legs, disproportionately large eyebrows, pointed ears, and bulging red-yellow eyes. The constant attribute of the Oni demon is kanabo (an iron club studded with spikes).

Abilities of demonic creatures:

• strong and resilient in battle;
• run fast;
• carriers of dark magic read people's thoughts;
• wounded They heal themselves - a severed arm or leg quickly grows back to the body;
• the devil can turn into a human and live among people for a long time without revealing his true nature: the purpose of such a transformation is espionage;
• if necessary, the demon turns into an inanimate object;
• evil entities know how to cast illusions on travelers.

The Oni's habitat is Jigoku (analogous to Christian hell). Demons live on the Island of Devils (it is called “Oni-ga Jima”). According to Japanese folklore tradition, They often quarrel with other demonic creatures. To annoy their fellows, red-skinned devils occasionally stand up for people, but long-term friendship with a person is not typical for a demon. The devils pursue their own benefit by interceding for you. According to the Japanese, people attract the interest of demons by giving free rein to destructive emotions: anger, jealousy, greed. The devils themselves are instruments of punishment for the higher deities.

Purpose and attitude towards a person

In Japanese mythology, the same creature can act as a bloodthirsty sadist and a just avenger.

What demons do:

• send illnesses and misfortunes to people;
• they lie in wait for sinners to drag them to the underworld;
• attack travelers and devour them;
• on rare occasions They help brave heroes.

Ancient Japanese legends mention invisible demonic entities. You can guess the presence of a “stranger” by his whistle or songs. Sometimes the devil looks like a cloud of fog. It can take the form of a tree, a stone or a flower. If you touch an evil spirit, you will get sick or lose your mind.

Initially, invisible devils were spirits of chaos and disease. These creatures did not come into close contact or disputes with people. In later folklore, They have the appearance of frightening fanged giants.

Usually demons gather in small groups to hunt people. It also happens that they go out for night fishing in a large group. In Japan, a roaming pack of devils is called "hyakki-yako". If a passerby stumbles upon such a group, he will be torn to pieces.

When entering into disputes with people, demonic entities want to achieve 2 goals.

1. Demonstrate your ingenuity and power.
2. Destroy your victim.

These creatures, like Christian devils, are not against stealing a child. The formation of the image of the Japanese demon reflected the principles of Shintoism and Buddhism. Carrying out the orders of the deity, They look terrifying, but in some situations the formidable demon turns into a helpless creature.

The devil may end up losing if he meets an intelligent and resourceful person. There is a legend that a simple peasant defeated the demon. All he needed to subdue the Oni was to guess the real (secret) name of the enemy. In one of the fairy tales, small children (brother and sister) managed to outwit the devil. The fooled Oni looks comical.

The conclusion suggests itself: even an insidious demon can be left “without its nose.” In the legends of the Land of the Rising Sun, demonic entities often appear as assistants to just deities. Thus, by catching sinners and dragging them to the underworld, fanged creatures help the god Emma (for the Japanese, this deity is the king of hell and a fair judge of the dead). Some demons They are “responsible” for timely precipitation, harvest and prosperity.

Origin

There is no information in folklore about the love affairs of Japanese demons. The continuation of the family occurs in an extraordinary way: the ranks of They are filled with unrestrained and angry people.

A cruel person turns into a demon after death. Women who are unable to control their jealousy become dark entities. A man with an evil character also has a chance of turning into a hellish creature.

In the Japanese folklore tradition one can find the following story: a man summoned a demon to take revenge on his enemies, and he himself became a devil during his lifetime. Not only an evil soul can be reborn into an Oni. Some legends mention that pious monks turned into demons. The reason is that after their death, people wanted to protect the temple from desecration.

This legend is also surprising: the demon turned into a lamp stand in the temple. The evil devil helps illuminate the altar. A bizarre combination of evil and good traits is inherent in many Japanese mythological creatures.

Most popular demons

They came into the demonology of the Japanese along with Chinese Buddhism. Red-skinned and green-skinned devils in fairy tales and legends personify intemperance and the intensity of negative emotions, but sometimes demons are considered followers of Buddha.

They have their own hierarchy. Among the general mass of demons there are extraordinary “personalities”.

1. Raijin (deity of thunder). A demon with sharp fangs and dark blue skin - this is how he is portrayed in legends. Raijin tears the scroll with the inscriptions with his teeth. This demon has more positive traits than negative ones. The formidable creature in legends acts as a defender of Buddhism.
2. They are daiko. Its name translates as: “demon dancing to the sound of a drum.” In the drawings the demon is depicted with a drum and clubs. The dancing demon symbolizes fertility, strength, and magical knowledge. One of the attributes of this creature is a sign depicting the equality of yin and yang.
3. Yaksha. This creature came into Japanese folklore from Hindu mythology. In India, the word “yaksha” was used to describe semi-divine entities that emerged from the feet of the god Brahma. Yakshas served deities, but were dangerous for humans. In Japanese legends, the demon Yaksha appears as a cruel cannibal. A person who has offended the gods with his behavior can turn into one of the yaksha demons. The demon's favorite pastime is killing people and drinking their blood. Sometimes Yakshas are portrayed as peaceful guardians of the forest.
4. Hannya. A red-skinned, ferocious demon with sharp horns. A jealous and vengeful woman has turned into this creature. The image of a demon is endowed with 2 opposite meanings. In Tibet, the demon Hannya was revered as the guardian of Buddhism. In Japanese folklore, a formidable entity is a symbol of vice and destructive energy.

Some werefoxes are demonic creatures. The most evil and bloodthirsty variety of red-haired sorceresses is the Nogitsune. This fox is looking for a meeting with a person in order to destroy him. She obeys no one.

Female demons

According to legends, women turn into devils more often than men. There are "relatives" They are Japanese female demonic creatures. They are called Kidjo.

According to legends, a woman can turn into a demoness during her lifetime. What contributes to the rebirth of a person in Kidjo:

• vindictiveness;
• witchcraft for selfish purposes;
• disrespect for family traditions;
• blasphemous attitude towards deities;
• carelessness;
• love of gossip;
• jealousy.

The term "Kijō" appeared in Japan much later than the concept of "Oni" arose. Demonesses have 3 circumstances in common with male demons.

1. Loyalty to dark forces.
2. Repulsive appearance. The demoness has long horns, yellow eyes, and red skin. She is dressed in rags. Kidjo has disheveled and greasy hair.
3. Hatred of people.

Female demons do not live in the underworld. These creatures settle in deserted corners of our world (in forests, mountain caves). According to legends, the embittered Kidjo pursues those who offended her during her lifetime. In Japanese legends, Oni and Kijo very rarely appear together.

Ways to protect yourself from demons

Defeating a demon in battle is almost impossible. It's also not easy to outwit them. The best way to avoid death is to scare away evil spirits.

The sight and smell of soybeans sends Oni into a panic. Seeing the soybeans, the devils hurry to return to hell. A legend dating back to the 9th century says that during the time of Emperor Uda, a ferocious demon descended from the mountain. He threatened to bring trouble and destruction. Seven wise monks invented a kind of weapon against the Oni. The elders offered prayers for over 700 days. Then they brought many beans to the cave where the demon lived. From that day Oni disappeared and did not bother the imperial family.

Every year at the beginning of February, the Japanese celebrate Setsubun. An invariable part of the celebration is the expulsion of the Oni into the underworld. Soybeans are scattered in Shinto and Buddhist temples and in homes. The head of the family or his sons can scatter fried beans in a house or apartment. Women do not perform this ritual. Sometimes the function of throwing the beans is taken on by invited sumo wrestlers.

In recent years, the Japanese have sometimes used peanut beans instead of soybeans during ritual activities.

What else can scare a demon:

• garlic cloves: when going to the mountains or other deserted areas, travelers take garlic with them;
• the smell of fish: fried sardines - a proven remedy against demonic creatures;
• monkey statue;
• plants with a pungent odor - when creating protective talismans, the Japanese use dried wormwood, thyme and other herbs;
• holly tree;
• image of a demon - residents of the Land of the Rising Sun believe: They, depicted on the building, will protect the house from disasters and diseases; at the entrance to the temple you can often see statues of demons. They will not be able to offend you if your house is decorated with “portraits” of its relatives.

Reflection in culture

Images of demonic entities are reflected in Japanese culture. Demons are characters in theatrical productions. In Japanese ideas, They perform different functions. In many plays, demons fight a brave hero. As a result, the daredevil defeats the evil entities. Second plot - They catch sinners and take them to Jigoku.

Holiday festivities are not complete without boys and men dressed in devil costumes. The Japanese put on scary demon masks and dance in the crowd.

They occupy an important place in the literature and painting of the Land of the Rising Sun. Demons are often depicted in tattoos. Japanese boys and men are convinced: the best way to gain protection and invulnerability is to tattoo one of the Oni on the body.

Philosophical meaning of the image

In Japanese legends, demons do not always act as carriers of absolute evil. They can be a “punishing sword” for sinners or a warning for those who are about to sin.

The idea of ​​the posthumous transformation of a person into a demon means that the sinful soul has lost the right to peace. You will protect yourself from contact with evil spirits by controlling your negative emotions.

Enormous physical strength, a cruel disposition, the ability to quickly recover from wounds - these are the qualities possessed by demons in Japanese fairy tales and legends. A person torn by anger or jealousy can turn into an Oni demon. Demons, like any other magical creatures, have their weaknesses.

Japanese mythology, which includes a lot of sacred knowledge, beliefs, and traditions of Shintoism and Buddhism, is at the same time interesting and incomprehensible to many. The pantheon contains a huge number of deities who perform their functions. There are a considerable number of demons that people believe in.

Pantheon of Japanese Gods

The myths of this Asian country are based on Shintoism - the “way of the gods”, which appeared in ancient times and it is simply impossible to determine the exact date. The mythology of Japan is peculiar and unique. People worshiped various spiritual entities of nature, places and even inanimate objects. Gods could be evil and good. It is worth noting that their names are often complex and sometimes too lengthy.

Japanese sun goddess

The goddess Amaterasu Omikami is responsible for the heavenly body and in translation her name is called “the great goddess who illuminates the heavens.” According to beliefs, the sun goddess in Japan is the ancestor of the great imperial family.

1. It is believed that Amaterasu taught the Japanese the rules and secrets of the technology of growing rice and producing silk through the use of a loom.
2. According to legend, it appeared from drops of water when one of the great gods was washing in a reservoir.
3. Japanese mythology says that she had a brother Susanoo, with whom she married, but he wanted to go to the world of the dead to his mother, so he began to destroy the world of people so that other gods would kill him. Amaterasu was tired of her husband’s behavior and hid in a cave, cutting off all contacts with the world. The gods, by cunning, managed to lure her out of her shelter and return her to heaven.

Japanese goddess of mercy

One of the main goddesses of the Japanese pantheon is Guanyin, who is also called the “Buddhist Madonna.” Believers considered her a beloved mother and divine mediator, who was not alien to the daily affairs of ordinary people. Other Japanese goddesses did not have such great importance in ancient times.

1. Guanyin is revered as a compassionate savior and goddess of mercy. Her altars were placed not only in temples, but also in houses and roadside temples.
2. According to existing legends, the goddess wanted to enter the kingdom of heaven, but she stopped at the very threshold, hearing the cry of people living on earth.
3. The Japanese goddess of mercy is considered the patroness of women, sailors, merchants and artisans. Representatives of the fair sex who wanted to get pregnant also sought her help.
4. Guanyin is often depicted with many eyes and hands, representing her desire to help other people.

Japanese god of death

Emma is responsible for the other world, who is not only the ruler god, but also the judge of the dead, who rules hell (in Japanese mythology - jigoku).

1. Under the leadership of the god of death there is a whole army of spirits that performs many tasks, for example, they take the souls of the dead after death.
2. He is portrayed as a large man with a red face, bulging eyes and a beard. The God of Death in Japan is dressed in traditional Japanese clothing, and on his head is a crown with the hieroglyph for “king”.
3. In modern Japan, Emma is the hero of horror stories told to children.

Japanese God of War

The famous warlike patron god Hachiman is not a fictional character, since he was copied from the real Japanese warrior Oji, who ruled the country. For his good deeds, loyalty to the Japanese people and love of battle, it was decided to rank him among the divine pantheon.

1. There are several options for how the Japanese gods looked, so Hachiman was depicted as an elderly blacksmith or, conversely, as a child who provided all kinds of help to people.
2. He is considered the patron saint of samurai, which is why he is called the god of bow and arrow. Its task is to protect people from various life misfortunes and war.
3. According to one legend, Hachiman represents the fusion of three divine beings. It also says that he was the patron of the imperial family, so ruler Oji is considered his prototype.

Japanese god of thunder

Raijin is considered the patron of lightning and thunder in mythology. In most legends he is represented together with the god of the wind. He is depicted surrounded by drums, which he beats to create thunder. In some sources he is represented as a child or a snake. The Japanese god Raijin is also responsible for rain. He is considered the Japanese equivalent of a Western demon or devil.

Japanese god of fire

Kagutsuchi is considered responsible for the fire in the pantheon. According to legends, when he was born, he burned his mother with his flame and she died. His father, in despair, cut off his head, and then divided the remains into eight equal parts, from which volcanoes later appeared. From his blood came the other gods of Japan.

1. In Japanese mythology, Kagutsuchi was held in special esteem and people worshiped him as the patron of fire and blacksmithing.
2. People were afraid of the wrath of the god of fire, so they constantly prayed to him and brought various gifts, believing that he would protect their houses from fires.
3. In Japan, many people still follow the tradition of celebrating the Hi-matsuri holiday at the beginning of the year. On this day, it is necessary to bring into the house a torch lit from the sacred fire in the temple.

Japanese wind god

Fujin is considered one of the oldest Shinto deities who inhabited the earth before the advent of humanity. For those who are interested in which god in Japan was responsible for the wind, and what he looked like, it is worth knowing that he was often represented as a muscular man who constantly carried on his shoulders a huge bag filled with a huge number of winds, and they walk on the ground when he opens it.

1. In the mythology of Japan there is a legend that Fujin first released the winds at the dawn of the world to dispel the fogs and the sun could illuminate the earth and give life.
2. Originally in Japanese mythology, Fujin and his friend the thunder god were among the forces of evil that opposed the Buddha. As a result of the battle, they were captured and then repented and began to serve good.
3. The wind god has only four fingers on his hands, which symbolize the directions of light. He has only two toes on his feet, meaning heaven and earth.

Japanese god of water

Susanoo, who was already mentioned earlier, was responsible for the water domain. He appeared from drops of water, and is the brother of Amaterasu. He did not want to rule the seas and decided to go into the world of the dead to his mother, but in order to leave a mark on himself, he invited his sister to give birth to children. After this, the Japanese god of the sea did many terrible things on earth, for example, he destroyed canals in the fields, desecrated sacred chambers, and so on. For his deeds, he was expelled from the high sky by the other gods.

Japanese god of luck

The list of the seven gods of happiness includes Ebisu, who is responsible for good luck. He is also considered the patron saint of fishing and labor, and also the guardian of the health of young children.

1. The mythology of Ancient Japan contains many myths and one of them tells that Ebisu was born without bones because his mother did not observe the wedding ritual. At birth he was named Hirako. When he was not yet three years old, he was carried out to sea and after some time washed up on the shores of Hokkaido, where he grew bones for himself and turned into a god.
2. For his benevolence, the Japanese nicknamed him “the laughing god.” A festival is held in his honor every year.
3. In most sources he is presented wearing a tall hat, holding a fishing rod and a large fish in his hands.

Japanese Moon God

The ruler of the night and the earth's satellite is considered to be Tsukiyemi, who in mythology is sometimes represented as a female deity. He is believed to have the power to control the ebb and flow of the tides.

1. The myths of Ancient Japan explain the process of the appearance of this deity in different ways. There is a version that he appeared along with Amaterasu and Susanoo during the ablution of Izanagi. According to other information, he appeared from a mirror made of white copper, which was held in the right hand of a majestic god.
2. Legends say that the Moon God and the Sun Goddess lived together, but one day the sister drove her brother away and told him to stay away. Because of this, the two celestial bodies cannot meet, since the Moon shines at night. And the sun during the day.
3. There are several temples dedicated to Tsukiyemi.

Gods of happiness in Japan

In the mythology of this Asian country, there are as many as seven gods of happiness, who are responsible for different areas that are important to people. They are often represented in the form of small figures that float along the river. Ancient Japanese gods of happiness have connections with the beliefs of China and India:

1. Ebisu- This is the only god who is of Japanese origin. It was described above.
2. Hotei- God of good nature and compassion. Many turn to him to fulfill their cherished desire. He is portrayed as an old man with a huge belly.
3. Daikoku- the deity of wealth who helps people fulfill their desires. He is also considered the protector of ordinary peasants. He is presented with a hammer and a bag of rice.
4. Fukurokuju- god of wisdom and longevity. He stands out among other deities because of his overly elongated head.
5. Bezaiten- the goddess of luck who patronizes art, wisdom and learning. Japanese mythology represents her as a beautiful girl, and in her hands she holds the national Japanese instrument - the biwa.
6. Dzyurozin- the god of longevity and he is considered a hermit who is constantly in search of the elixir of immortality. They imagine him as an old man with a staff and an animal.
7. Bishamon- God of prosperity and material wealth. He is considered the patron saint of warriors, lawyers and doctors. He is depicted in armor and with a spear.

Japanese mythology - demons

It has already been mentioned that the mythology of this country is unique and multifaceted. There are also dark forces in it, and many Japanese demons played an important role in the lives of ancient people, but in the modern world, both children and adults are afraid of some representatives of the dark forces. Among the most famous and interesting are:

The land of the rising sun - Japan - culturally stands apart from the rest of the world. Being relatively small in territory, Japan managed to create its own unique style, its own tradition, which bears little resemblance not only to the West, but also to nearby eastern states. Until now, for a huge number of people, the religious tradition of the Japanese and the Japanese gods remain a secret behind seven seals.

Religious world of Japan

The religious picture of Japan consists mainly of two components - Buddhism and Shintoism. If the Russian-speaking reader may still know something about the first of them, then traditional Japanese Shintoism most often presents a complete mystery. But it is from this tradition that almost all traditionally revered Japanese gods and demons come.

It is worth saying that formally the overwhelming majority of the Japanese population associates themselves with Buddhism and Shintoism - up to more than ninety percent, according to some studies. Moreover, almost all of them profess both religions at once. This is a characteristic feature of Japanese religiosity - it gravitates towards a syncretic synthesis of different traditions, combining various elements of both practice and doctrine. For example, Japanese gods, originating from Shintoism, were adopted by Buddhist metaphysics, and their veneration continued in the Buddhist religious context.

Shintoism - the way of the gods

It is necessary to briefly say about the traditions that gave birth to the pantheon of Japanese gods. The first of these, of course, is Shinto, which means “the way of the gods.” Its history goes back so far into history that today it is impossible to unambiguously establish either the time or the nature of its occurrence. The only thing that can be stated with absolute certainty is that Shintoism originated and developed on the territory of Japan, remaining an untouchable and original tradition, until the Buddhist expansion, which did not experience any influence. The mythology of Shintoism is very peculiar, the cult is unique, and the worldview is quite difficult for deep understanding.

In general, Shintoism is focused on the veneration of kami - the soul or some spiritual essence of various creatures, natural phenomena, places and inanimate (in the European sense) things. Kami can be evil or benevolent, more or less powerful. The patron spirits of a clan or city are also kami. In this, as well as the veneration of the spirits of ancestors, Shintoism is similar to traditional animism and shamanism, inherent in almost all cultures and pagan religions at a certain stage of formation. Kami are Japanese gods. Their names are often quite complex, and sometimes extremely lengthy - up to several lines of text.

Japanese Buddhism

The teachings of the Indian prince in Japan found favorable soil and took deep roots. Since the 6th century, as soon as Buddhism entered Japan, it found many patrons in the powerful and influential aristocrats of Japanese society. And after three hundred years he managed to achieve the position of state religion.

By its nature, Japanese Buddhism is heterogeneous, does not represent a single system or school, but is divided into many different sects. But at the same time, it is still possible to postulate the involvement of most of them in the direction of Zen Buddhism.

Historically, Buddhism has been characterized by religious integration. In other words, if, for example, a Christian or Islamic mission invites believers of one religion to switch to another, then Buddhism does not enter into this kind of confrontation. Most often, Buddhist practices and teachings are poured into the existing cult, replenishing and Buddhizing it. This happened with Hinduism in Bon in Tibet and many other religious schools, including Shintoism in Japan. Therefore, today it is difficult to answer unequivocally what Japanese gods and demons are - either Buddhist Bodhisattvas or pagan nature spirits.

Influence of Buddhism on Shintoism

From the middle of the first millennium, and especially from the 9th century, Shintoism began to experience the strong influence of Buddhism. This led to the kami initially becoming the protective spirits of Buddhism. Some of them merged with Buddhist saints, and later the teaching was proclaimed that the kami even needed salvation through the path of Buddhist practice. For Shintoism, these are unconventional ideas - from time immemorial there was no concept of salvation or sin in it. There was not even an objective representation of good and evil. Serving the kami, the gods, led the world to harmony, to beauty, to the consciousness and development of man, who himself, inspired by the connection with the deities, decided what was good and what was bad in each specific situation. The internal inconsistency of the two traditions led to the fact that quite early movements appeared to cleanse Shinto from Buddhist borrowings. Attempts to reconstruct the original tradition ended with the so-called restoration of Emperor Meiji in the 19th century, who separated Buddhism and Shintoism.

Supreme Japanese gods

The mythology of Japan includes many stories about the deeds of the gods. The first of these to emerge was a group of three kami called Takamagahara. This Shinto trinity included the supreme god Ame no Minakanushi no Kami, the god of power Takamimusuhi no kami and the god of birth Kamimusuhi no kami. With the birth of heaven and earth, two more kami were added to them - Umashi Ashikabi Hikoi no kami and Ame no Tokotachi no kami. This five deities were called Koto Amatsukami and are revered in Shintoism as a family of supreme kami. Below them in the hierarchy are the Japanese gods, the list of which is virtually endless. There is even a proverb on this topic in Japanese folklore that “Japan is the country of eight million gods.”

Izanagi and Izanami

Immediately following Koto Amatsukami are seven generations of kami, of which the last two are especially revered - the married couple Izanagi and Izanami, who are credited with creating Oyashima - They were the first of the kami who had the ability to give birth to new gods and gave birth to many of them.

Izanami - goddess of life and death

All phenomena of this world are subordinated to kami. Both material things and intangible phenomena are all controlled by influential Japanese gods. Death is also emphasized by a number of Japanese divine characters. For example, there is an interesting legend that tells about the appearance of death in the world. According to her, Izanami died during the birth of her last son - the god of fire Kagutsuchi - and moved to the underworld. Izanagi goes down after her, finds her and even persuades her to return. The wife asks only for the opportunity to rest before the trip and retires to the bedroom, asking her husband not to disturb her. Izanagi violates the request and finds the ugly, decomposed corpse of his former lover in bed. In horror, he runs upstairs, blocking the entrance with stones. Izanami, angry at her husband’s act, swears that she will take revenge on him by taking a thousand human souls into her kingdom every day. Thus, ironically, the Japanese begin their dynasty with the mother goddess, the great kami who gave life to everything. Izanagi himself returned to his place and underwent ritual purification after visiting the world of the dead.

Japanese gods of war

When Izanami died giving birth to her last offspring, Izanagi became enraged and killed him. Shinto myth says that as a result of this, several more kami were born. One of them was Takemikazuchi - the god of the sword. He is probably the first one from whom the Japanese gods of war originate. Takemikazuchi, however, was not perceived as just a warrior. It was closely connected with the sword and embodied its sacred meaning, representing, so to speak, the soul of the sword, its idea. And as a consequence of this, Takemikazuchi became involved with wars. Following Takemikazuchi, the kami associated with battles and battles is the god Hachiman. This character has been a patron of warriors since ancient times. Once upon a time, during the Middle Ages, he was also revered as the patron of the samurai Minamoto clan. Then his popularity increased, he began to patronize the samurai class as a whole, at the same time occupying a prominent place in the Shinto pantheon. In addition, Hachiman served as the guardian of the imperial fortress and the emperor himself along with his family.

Patrons of happiness and good luck

The Japanese gods of happiness comprise a group of seven kami called the Shichifukujin. They are of rather late origin and represent images reworked by one of the monks based on material from Buddhist and Taoist deities mixed with traditional Japanese legends. Actually, the only Japanese gods of luck are Daikoku and Ebisu. The remaining five were introduced or imported from outside, although they have taken root well in Japanese culture. Today, each of these seven has its own sphere of responsibility and influence.

Sun Goddess

One cannot fail to mention one of the most important representatives of Japanese mythology - the sun goddess Amaterasu. The sun has always occupied an important position in the religiosity of mankind, because it is organically connected with life, light, warmth, and harvest. In Japan, this was supplemented by the belief that the emperor was literally a direct descendant of this goddess.

Amaterasu emerged from Izanagi's left eye while he was performing his purifying bath. Several more kami came into the world with her. But two of them took special places. Firstly, there is Tsukuyomi - the moon god born from the other eye. Secondly, Susanoo is the god of wind and sea. Thus, each of this trinity received his own destiny. Further myths tell of the exile of Susanoo. The Japanese gods banished him for a series of grave offenses against his sister and father.

Amaterasu was also revered as the patroness of agriculture and silk production. And in later times she began to be identified with the revered Vairocana. In fact, Amaterasu stood at the head of the Japanese pantheon.