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What are ghosts called in Japan?

Author

Matthew Perez

Updated on May 03, 2026

While all Japanese ghosts are called yūrei, within that category there are several specific types of phantom, classified mainly by the manner they died or their reason for returning to Earth: Onryō

Onryō

In Japanese traditional beliefs and literature, onryō (怨霊, literally "vengeful spirit", sometimes rendered "wrathful spirit") refers to a ghost (yūrei) believed to be capable of causing harm in the world of the living, injuring or killing enemies, or even causing natural disasters to exact vengeance to "redress" the ...

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: Vengeful ghosts who come back from purgatory for a wrong done to them during their lifetime.

What is a Japanese spirit called?

Yōkai are often referred to as Japanese spirits or East Asian ghosts, like the Hanako-san legend or the story of the "Slit-mouthed girl", both of which hail from Japanese legend. The term yōkai can also be interpreted as "something strange or unusual".

What are evil spirits called in Japan?

Evil Spirits and Monsters in Japan also known as Yōkai are a class of supernatural monsters, spirits, and demons in Japanese folklore. The word "yōkai" Is made up of the kanji (symbol) for "bewitching: attractive; calamity:" and "specter apparition: mystery; suspicious".

What does Onryo mean in Japanese?

In Japanese traditional beliefs and literature, onryō (怨霊, literally "vengeful spirit", sometimes rendered "wrathful spirit") refers to a ghost (yūrei) believed to be capable of causing harm in the world of the living, injuring or killing enemies, or even causing natural disasters to exact vengeance to "redress" the ...

What is yōkai and yūrei?

He claimed that yurei were spirits of the dead and related to death and religion, while yokai were just monsters without any deeper meaning or religious connection.

Japanology Plus - Yurei : Japanese Ghosts

What is a Yurei Phasmophobia?

A Yurei is a ghost that has returned to the physical world, usually for the purpose of revenge or hatred.

What is Bakemono in Japanese?

“Bakemono” is a Japanese term to describe imaginary monsters, which in Japan have a long history in religion and culture.

What is a samurai ghost called?

While all Japanese ghosts are called yūrei, within that category there are several specific types of phantom, classified mainly by the manner they died or their reason for returning to Earth: Onryō: Vengeful ghosts who come back from purgatory for a wrong done to them during their lifetime.

What does an Oni do?

An oni's job is to mete out horrible punishments such as peeling off skin, crushing bones, and other torments too horrible to describe to those who were wicked (but not quite wicked enough to be reborn as demons themselves). Hell is full of oni, and they make up the armies of the great generals of the underworld.

What are monsters called in Japan?

Japan has special terms for these different kinds of supernatural beings. First are yōkai, creatures like demons, ogres, and other monsters. Next are yūrei, which are ghosts or spirits. Finally, there's obake, a more general term that can be used for a yūrei or yōkai.

What does the word Akuma mean?

The akuma (悪魔) is a malevolent fire spirit in Japanese folklore. It is also described as a category of undefined beings who brought afflictions on humans. Alternative names for the akuma is ma (ま). It is often translated to devil in English, or demon (see oni).

What is the strongest Japanese demon?

It has been said that Shuten-dōji was the strongest oni of Japan.

What are Japanese vampires called?

Japan has no native legends about vampires. However some Japanese mythical creatures bear some similarities to vampires, such as the Nure-onna who is a snake-like woman that feasts on human blood. Japanese vampires made their first appearances in the cinema of Japan during the late 1950s.

Who is the most evil Japanese god?

One such list is the Three Most Evil Yokai of Japan (japanese: 日本三大悪妖怪, Nihon san dai aku yōkai). These are the three monsters who, according to legend, posed the greatest threats to Japan's existence.
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Japanese Legends: The Three Most Evil Yokai of Japan

  • Shuten dōji, oni. ...
  • Tamamo no Mae, kitsune. ...
  • Emperor Sutoku, tengu.

What is Tengu Japanese?

tengu, in Japanese folklore, a type of mischievous supernatural being, sometimes considered the reincarnated spirit of one who was proud and arrogant in life. Tengu are renowned swordsmen and are said to have taught the military arts to the Minamoto hero Yoshitsune.

What is a Kijin?

Noun. 鬼 き 神 じん or 鬼 き 神 しん • (kijin or kishin) a fierce god or spirit. all of the spirits and souls and gods of the world. (Buddhism) someone with superhuman power or ability, such as Śakra, the ruler of heaven, or a rakshasa or demon.

What does ONII mean in Japanese?

Overall, the Japanese word onii chan means older brother. This is the term one would use for their older brother if they were very close with him. If one wished to refer to an older brother in a more general sense, they would use onii-san.

Is Tengu yōkai?

Tengu (Japanese: 天狗, lit. "Heavenly Dog" or "Heavenly Sentinel") are a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion. They are considered a type of yōkai (supernatural beings) or Shinto kami (gods).

Can Oni be killed?

According to the lore Sam finds online, the oni can't be killed and they weren't able to find anyone who knew of a way to kill one. Even Roy Dempsey, who knew of their fear of obake, knew of no way to kill an oni.

What kind of yokai is Sadako?

Sadako appears as a young woman whose face is hidden under her long black hair, and she wears a white dress that has water stains on it that is also frayed at the end. This appearance is typical of yūrei. Specifically, Sadako is a type of yūrei known as an onryō, bound by a desire for vengeance.

How old is Sadako?

Sadako began folding more cranes for her father's debt to be forgiven, her new wish. Sadako continued to fold cranes, some as small as a grain of rice, until her last moments. Surrounded by family, with 1,300 origami cranes in her room and hanging overhead, Sadako passed away at the age of twelve.

What does Yare Yare Daze mean?

Yare yare (pronounced “yah-ray yah-ray”) is an exclamation that can show relief or annoyance, often without a strong sense of enthusiasm. It's similar to a sigh, “Oy vey,” or “good grief.”

What is Nisemono?

But there is a third word: 偽者 nisemono – an imposter. Click here for More… 本物 honmono (the real thing) and 偽物 nisemono (a fake) are opposites. But there is a third word: 偽者 nisemono – an imposter.

What is Obaki in Japanese?

Obake (お化け) and bakemono (化け物) are a class of yōkai, preternatural creatures in Japanese folklore. Literally, the terms mean a thing that changes, referring to a state of transformation or shapeshifting.