Japanese folkloreFolk traditions of Japan Part of a series onJapanese mythology and folklore Mythic texts Fudoki Kogo Shūi Kojiki Konjaku Monogatarishū Kujiki Nihon Ryōiki Nihon Shoki Divinities Amaterasu Ame-no-Uzume Inari Izanagi Izanami Kami Myōjin Seven Lucky Gods Susanoo Tsukuyomi Legendary creatures and urban legends Kitsune Oni Onryō Tengu Yōkai Yūrei Mythical and sacred locations Izumo Jigoku Mount Fuji Mount Hiei Ryūgū-jō Takamagahara Yomi Sacred objects Ame-no-Nuboko Kusanagi Tonbokiri Three Sacred Treasures Shintō and Buddhism Bon Festival Ema Setsubun Torii Buddhist temples Shinto shrines vte Japanese folklore encompasses the informally learned folk traditions of Japan and the Japanese people as expressed in its oral traditions, customs, and material culture.
YōkaiYōkai (; Japanese pronunciation:) are a class of supernatural entities and spirits in Japanese folklore. Yōkai are a vast range of beings, including shapeshifters, ghosts, demons, and tricksters. They can be mischievous, helpful, or malevolent, often appearing as animal-like figures, possessed objects, or humanoids. They embody the mysterious and uncanny aspects of nature and human emotions.
Human cannibalismHuman cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh or internal organs of other human beings. A person who practices cannibalism is called a cannibal. The meaning of "cannibalism" has been extended into zoology to describe animals consuming parts of individuals of the same species as food. Anatomically modern humans, Neanderthals, and Homo antecessor are known to have practised cannibalism to some extent in the Pleistocene.
OgreAn ogre (feminine: ogress) is a legendary monster depicted as a large, hideous, humanoid being that eats ordinary human beings, especially infants and children. Ogres frequently feature in mythology, folklore, and fiction throughout the world. They appear in many classic works of literature, and are most often associated in fairy tales and legend.
DemonEvil supernatural beingFor other uses, see Demon (other).Bronze statue of the Assyro-Babylonian demon king Pazuzu, c. 800–700 BCE, LouvreA demon is an evil or malevolent supernatural entity, though they can be benevolent too. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in folklore, mythology, religion, occultism, and literature; these beliefs are reflected in media including fiction, comics, film, television, and video games.
HellIn religion and folklore, Hell is a location or state in the afterlife in which souls are subjected to punishment after death. Religions with a lineardivine history sometimes depict hells as eternal, such as in some versions of Christianity and Islam, whereas religions with reincarnation usually depict a hell as an intermediary period between incarnations, as is the case in the Indian religions. Religions typically locate Hell in another dimension or under Earth's surface.
OrcHumanoid monster in Tolkien's fictionAn orc (sometimes spelt ork; ) is a fictional race of humanoid monsters often found in works of modern fantasy. Originally called "Goblins," the concept of modern orcs can be found in George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin, and later adapted into J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy fiction, where the first uses of the word can be found.
LoinclothCloth worn around the loins LoinclothSketch of a loinclothTypeClothing that covers the genitals and sometimes the buttocks A loincloth is a one-piece garment, either wrapped around itself or kept in place by a belt. It covers the genitals and the intergluteal cleft though not always covering the entirety of the buttocks. Loincloths which are held up by belts or strings are specifically known as breechcloth or breechclout. Often, the flaps hang down in front and back.
TrollA troll is a being in Nordic folklore, including Norse mythology. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated areas of rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings. In later Scandinavian folklore, trolls became beings in their own right, where they live far from human habitation, are not Christianized, and are considered dangerous to human beings.
MurderUnlawful killing of a human with maliceCain slaying Abel, by Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1600Murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse and committed with the necessary intent as defined by the law in a specific jurisdiction. This state of mind may, depending upon the jurisdiction, distinguish murder from other forms of unlawful homicide, such as manslaughter.
CaveCaves and caverns are natural voids under the surface of the Earth and have also been observed in other rockyworlds (e.g., on Mars). Caves often form by the weathering of rock and can extend deep underground. Exogene caves are smaller openings that extend a relatively short distance underground (such as rock shelters). Caves which extend farther underground than the opening is wide are called endogene caves.
MountainA mountain is an elevated portion of the surface of a planet, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although there are no universally accepted definitions, a mountain is usually considered higher than a hill. By definition, mountains are often thought of as being a landform which is higher than 2,000 feet (610 m). It may either have a limited summit area or be a smaller plateau with high elevation and steep sides.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.