Source: Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons YoukaiĪ scroll titled ‘Night Parade of a Hundred Demons’ (百鬼夜行図巻) from the late Edo period. Akuma can also be used to refer to witches. Akuma gives the impression of demonic possession because the word for an exorcism in Japanese is akuma barai/ 悪魔払い. In Japanese culture, demons referred to as akuma are often seen as negative and fearsome creatures. The second kanji, 魔 ( ma), is a versatile character that can also refer to a ‘witch’, ‘magic’, ‘sorcery’ and ‘wickedness’. Akuma is also the word used for the demonic king Mara in Buddhism.Īkuma combines two kanji characters: 悪 ( aku) meaning ‘bad’ and 魔 ( ma) which means ‘demon’. Akuma is closest to the Western concept of the devil or a demon and is the word used for ‘satan’ in Japanese (although satan / サタン is also used). The word ‘demon’ can be translated to akuma / 悪魔 in Japanese. Regardless of their good or bad intentions, oni are always shown to be fierce, powerful creatures and despite being called a devil or demon, they often appear as symbols of strength and courage in Japanese art. However, oni can occasionally be portrayed as helpful beings, such as in the story ‘Naita Aka Oni’. In some stories, they murder humans and eat their flesh. Oni are said to enjoy causing mischief and terrorizing humans. They are portrayed in artwork as troll-like creatures who wear loincloths and hold large iron clubs known as kanabo. ![]() It is believed that oni were originally once human beings, but are born when an evil human dies and is sent to one of the several Buddhist hells where they are transformed into an oni.Īccording to legend, oni live in mountains and forests. The kanji for oni comes from the Chinese word for ghost, which is ‘ kuei‘ (鬼). Oni can have red or blue skin and aside from being cruel and wicked, they are said to be very strong and have the ability to transform their appearance. They are usually depicted as large, ugly, monstrous creatures with horns, fangs, and sharp claws which is why oni are often compared to ‘ogres’ in Western mythology. Oni are a type of evil spirit being known as youkai in Japanese folklore. Source: Fg2 (the uploader took the photo), Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsĪ common Japanese word for devil or demon is oni / 鬼.
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