55+ Unveiling Japanese Demon Names: Oni, Akuma & More to Fear

The lore on Japanese mythology and horror stories are endless. The expanse of the horror and supernatural realm in the world of Japan is daunting and scary. From realistic folk storytelling in Junji Ito’s manga to real life stories, one thing is for sure, there are unexplainable things occurring in the occult of Japan.

Today we will be learning about some of these unnatural occurrences through the various kinds of japanese demons and their japanese demon names.

Why Is Japanese Folklore Popular?

The West embraced the intricacies of Japanese folklore primarily through hard hitting movies like The Ring, through manga and anime. The traditional Japanese stories however have the potential to instill the same fear. 

There is a reason behind the categorical segregation of demons and ghosts in Japanese folklore and in this blog we aim to learn about all of them that we can. The Japanese mythological character universe is rich and dense. They are ruled by the popular demon names such as Yokai and Oni. There are also various demons categorized according to the season they represent. Jealous female spirits and animal inspired demons. You will find everything in the Japanese supernatural verse. 

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Japanese Demon Names

1. Abura-akago: This is the ghost of an infant who licks oil out of andon (traditional Japanese lighting equipment) lamps.
2. Abura-sumashi: A large-headed spirit that has its home in the mountain passes of the Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. It is thought to be a ghost of a person who stole oil and then escaped into the woods.
3. Agubanba: This is a blind, cannibalistic version of a female Yokai from the Akita prefecture of Japan. She mainly targets young women who have just become of age. This is also popularly known as ‘ash crone’ or ‘ash shaver.’
4. Akateko: This is a red child’s hand that is dangling from a tree in the city of Hachinohe in the Aomori prefecture. It is said that a beautiful woman who almost puts you in a trance, stands beneath the tree to lure people to their deaths.
5. Akuma: The name is associated with Satan in Japanese Christianity and Mara in Japanese Buddhism. An Akuma is held as the worst form of demon in Japanese mythology. An akuma is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and flaming eyes, and carrying a sword. It is said to be a harbinger of misfortune to those who see it.
6. Amazake-babaa: This is the spirit of an old woman who comes late at night to ask for sweets.She forges her voice to that of a child. Seeing her or her arrival denotes the onset of diseases (usually something like smallpox or common cold). A cedar branch is placed on the doorway to repel this demon.
7. Bakeneko: A shapeshifting cat spirit, it is different from a nekomata since it doesn’t have two tails.
8. Baku: A supernatural beast that resembles a tapir and devours dreams and nightmares.
9. Chimimoryo: In Japanese folklore, Chimimoryo are evil spirits or demons that hunt and cause harm to people. They are associated with curses and illness and are considered malevolent.
10. Chi no Bakemono: This translates to ‘Monster Of the Land.’ These are yokai that dwell on Earth or underground.
11. Chochin-obake: A yokai that appears as a paper lantern with a single eye and a long tongue. It is said to come to life and hop around at night, frightening those who encounter it.
12. Datsue-ba: It is popular as the Hag Of Hell. it collects bones of the dead to weave her web of darkness.
13. Daitengu: A type of tengu (mythical creature) in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a powerful and majestic figure with a red face and long nose. Daitengu are known for their martial prowess, supernatural abilities, and association with mountains.
14. Dokkaebi: These are goblins, although more popular in Korean folklore. They are famous creatures for pranking and pulling mischievous stunts on people.
15. Futakuchi-onna: It is a ghostly woman with a second mouth on the back of her head.
16. Gozu and Mezu: Two notable guards of the Underworld, one with an ox’s head and the other with a horse’s face.
17. Hanako-San: This demon is popular thanks to the anime, Toilet Cleaning Hanako San. As the name suggests, it is the ghost of a child from World War 2 that is said to haunt restrooms.
18. Harionago: A woman from Ehime Prefecture with a thornlike barb on the tip of each strand of her long prehensile hair, which she uses to ensnare and attack men who dare to smile back at her when she smiles at them.
19. Hone-onna: This is a skeleton of a woman who seeks love but brings death with her. She is related to the story of Botan Dōrō. 
20. Ikuchi: A huge, very long sea serpent that travels over boats in an arc while dripping a viscous oil, encountered off the coast of Hitachi Province.
21. Inugami: It is the dog spirit, who is worshiped and employed by a family through sorcerous animal cruelty.
22. Jorōgumo: A shape-shifting spider Yokai that transforms into a woman to lure and kill them.
23. Jikininki: They are typically spirits that are hungry and feed on recently deceased corpses. They are depicted as being gaunt, ghastly figures that have glowing eyes and haunt graveyards and battlefields.
24. Kami: Kami are usually divinites that are associated as good and compared to nature. Some kami’s are however also bad in nature and are essentially demons hiding themselves in the human realm.
25. Kamikiri: They are said to lurk in dark places like the forest, abandoned buildings, valleys etc. They have scissor or razor-like claws to snip off the hair of their victims. Their actions are thought to be more of a prank than harm. 
26. Kappa: These are famous water-type creatures that are depicted as humanoid turtles or amphibians. They have a water-filled dish on top of their heads.They are usually mischievous but some of them are also malevolent. Some are said to drown humans and livestock while some are said to be loving towards children.
27. Kasha: If you were evil while living then be prepared for a Kasha to appear during your funeral or cremation. They come down to snatch and take away the souls of those who have lived wicked lives. They take them to the underworld where they are punished for their sins. 
28. Kitsune: These are mischievous fox-spirits. They can have up to nine tails, famously known as the nine-tailed fox spirit.
29. Kotobuki: A Japanese chimera with the features of the beasts from the Chinese Zodiac: a rat’s head, rabbit ears, ox horns, a horse’s mane, a rooster’s comb, a sheep’s beard, a dragon’s neck, a back like that of a boar, a tiger’s shoulders and belly, monkey arms, a dog’s hindquarters, and a snake’s tail.
30. Kageki – Kageki is a demon that was born in the depth of the shadow realm. Legends speak of Kageki as a shape-shifting entity, capable of blending seamlessly into the shadows and striking without warning. It is said that those who encounter Kageki are doomed to be haunted by its malevolent presence, forever plagued by visions of their deepest fears lurking in the darkness.
31. Kumorigami – These are cloud demons who manifest storms, riding on the winds and unleashing bolts of lightning upon the Earth below. 
32. Kurobara: It is the black rose demon, said to bloom only in the darkest corners of the world, its petals as black as midnight and as sharp as thorns. Those who dare to pluck its flower are cursed to suffer a fate worse than death, their souls ensnared by its intoxicating fragrance.
33. Mokumokuren: These are vengeful spirits or creatures that manifest when shoji screens become old and torn, the torn bits resembling eyes. When the night arrives, these holes become alive and seem like thousands of eyes peering out of the hole.
34. Nekomata: These are supernatural creatures from Japanese folklore that resemble giant cats with forked tails. These cats are believed to have lived for many years gaining supernatural powers. Some can control the dead and manipulate fire. Nekomatas can be mischievous or malevolent, playing tricks on humans and causing disturbances.
35. Nue: It is considered a harbinger of misfortune and calamity. The eerie cry of a Nue is supposed to bring illness and death to those who hear it. In legend, it was slain by Minamoto no Yorimasa.
36. Nurarihyon: They sneak into human homes while the owner of the house is sleeping. They will sit on the most comfortable chair of the house and drink the their tea. Typically this spirit is mischievous but not harmful.
37. Nurikabe: They can create an invisible barrier that suddenly appears in front of travelers to block their paths. Despite the nature of this spirit, it cannot be transcended or destroyed without a practicing exorcist.
38. Oni: An Oni is a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, often depicted as a large, fearsome ogre or demon-like being with horns or sharp claws. They are typically portrayed as humanoid but monstrous in appearance, with wild hair and often wearing loincloths made of tiger skin. Oni are known for their strength, ferocity, and sometimes for their stupidity. They are considered to be evil spirits in some stories, causing harm to humans out of malice or for their own amusement.
39. Onryo: It is a concept from Japanese folklore and ghost stories that refers to a vengeful spirit or a ghost seeking revenge. The term “onryo” literally translates to “vengeful spirit” or “wrathful spirit.” They emerge from feelings of betrayal, rage and sorrow.
40. Oiwa: Oiwa is a well-known character in Japanese literature and theater, particularly in the kabuki play “Yotsuya Kaidan”, which translates to “The Ghost Story of Yotsuya.” She is a tragic figure and a classic example of an onryo, a vengeful spirit seeking revenge.
41. Ranjin: Ranjin is the Shinto God of Thunder. It is typically depicted as a fearsome deity. With a muscular body, wild hair and drums called taiko, he creates the beats of thunder.
42. Rokurokubi: They appear as ordinary humans during the day, but at night they become more violent and their necks stretch to great lengths allowing them to attack unsuspecting victims. They can be seen as female and may be benign or malevolent.
43. Shuten-doji: He is a legendary demon king who terrorized ancient Japan. He is said to have a thirst for blood and an urge to taste human flesh.
44. Satori: A yokai which can read minds and foresee the future. They are often depicted as ape-like creatures that can mimic human speech.
45. Shinigami: You must have heard about shinigami from the popular anime Death Note and its character Ryuk. Ryuk was a Shinigami, the literal translation for which is ‘god of death’ or ‘spirit of death’. It is similar to the western concept of Grim Reaper.
46. Shirime: A bizarre yokai with an eye in place of its anus. It is known for startling people by mooning them and revealing its eye. Shirime appears as a naked man with no facial features except for a single large eye located on his buttocks. 
47. Tengu: These are legendary creatures that are often depicted as humanoid birds with long noses. They are associated with the mountains and known for their supernatural abilities.
48. Takaonna: This female spirit can stretch her waist to peer into the highest skyscrapers.
49. Teke Teke: It is the vengeful spirit of a schoolgirl who was slain. She has a half upper-torso body and goes around killing people by slicing them in half at the waist using scythe. She mimics her own disfigurement on others.
50. Tenjōkudari: A female yōkai that crawls on the ceiling.
51. Tamamo-no-Mae: A legendary figure in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a beautiful and intelligent woman who was actually a nine-tailed fox spirit (kitsune) in disguise. She is infamous for causing political turmoil and is a tragic figure in Japanese mythology.
52. Tsuchigumo: A mythical creature that resembles a giant spider.
53. Ubume: A ghostly figure in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a woman with a baby in her arms. Ubume is associated with maternal love and tragedy, usually appearing to seek help for her child.
54. Uwabami: A giant snake yokai that dwells in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, or ponds. It is often depicted with powerful abilities and sometimes associated with guardianship or malevolence.
55. Umi-bozu: A sea yokai that appears as a giant, bald-headed monk with a smooth, featureless face. It is said to capsize ships and cause storms at sea.
56. Wanyūdō: A yokai who is depicted as a flaming wheel that has a human face. It is said to chase and terrorize travelers on remote roads and nights.
57. Waira: A ghostly figure or spirit in Ainu mythology, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, Japan. Waira are believed to inhabit rivers and lakes and are associated with drowning accidents.
58. Wani: This is a mythical creature that resembles a crocodile or alligator in Japanese folklore. It is often depicted as a fearsome water-dwelling beast with sharp teeth and scales.
59. Wakwak: A term used in old Japanese texts to refer to a mythical bird or birds from Indonesian and Malay folklore, believed to have a human-like cry.
60. Yokai: The Yokai is one of the most famous terms in Japanese demon names. The Yokai are further segregated into diverse forms. They are supernatural beings or monsters in Japanese Folklore. Each Yokai is special on its own with unique powers, features and traits. 
61. Yurei: The Yurei is a type of ghost or spirits of the dead in Japanese folklore. They are pale, disheveled figures that wear a white burial kimono, sometimes wailing near ponds. They are typically trapped in the living realm due to unfinished business or emotions. 
62. Yamata-no-Orochi: A legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent in Japanese mythology. It was slain by the storm god Susanoo, and its tale is one of the most famous myths in Japanese folklore.
63. Yuki-onna: A beautiful yet eerie looking yokai associated with snowstorms. Yuki-onna are pale women with long black hair wearing a white kimono. You may encounter them as a traveler in Japan during blizzards.
64. Yamabiko: A type of yokai or spirit that echoes human voices or sounds in the mountains. It is said to mimic and repeat sounds, creating eerie phenomena for those who venture into mountainous regions.
65. Yamauba: A mountain witch or hag in Japanese folklore. Yamauba are often depicted as old women with supernatural abilities who live deep in the mountains and may help or hinder travelers.
66. Yosuzume: A yokai in the form of a mysterious night bird that chirps ominously at night. Its appearance is often considered a bad omen or a sign of impending misfortune.
67. Yatagarasu: It is a sacred crow or a three-legged raven that is a symbol of guidance and divine intervention. It is often associated with Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.

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It is beyond a doubt that whether Japanese demons are real or not, Japanese mythology is extremely creative. It uses elements of nature, the flora and fauna and real incidents to weave its intricate story-telling and characterisation creating this vast expanse of Demon-verse.