Yokai

Yōkai (often spelled Youkai, Japanese: 妖怪) ("apparitions", "spirits" or "demons") are a class of creatures in Japanese folklore ranging from the evil oni to the mischievous kitsune or snow woman Yuki-onna. Some possess part animal and part human features (e.g. Kappa and Tengu). Yōkai are generally more powerful than human beings, and because of this, they tend to act arrogantly towards mortals. Yōkai also have different values from human beings, and when these conflict, it can lead to animosity. They are generally invulnerable to human attack, but they can be defeated by skilled yōkai exterminators (退治屋, taijiya) and Buddhist monks with Buddha's blessing.

Related Topics:
Japanese - Apparition - Spirit - Demon - Japanese folklore - Oni - Kitsune - Yuki-onna - Kappa - Tengu - Human being - Buddhist - Monk - Buddha's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some yōkai simply avoid human beings and, thus, trouble; they generally inhabit secluded areas far from human dwellings. Other yōkai, however, choose to live near human settlements out of a true liking of mankind. Some stories even tell of yōkai breeding with human beings to produce han'yō, or "half-demons". Most of these tales begin as love stories, but they often end in sadness resulting from the many obstacles faced by yōkai and mortals in such relationships.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki popularized many types of yōkai in his works since the 1960's (e.g. one-eyed Yokai superhero Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro). Lafcadio Hearn's collection of Japanese folklore narratives entitled Kwaidan includes stories of yurei and Yokai such as Yuki-onna.

Related Topics:
Shigeru Mizuki - Ge Ge Ge no Kitaro - Lafcadio Hearn - Kwaidan - Yurei - Yuki-onna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~