Yokai Tales Gallery

Gentle, straw-hatted night child of Edo carrying a tray of fresh bean curd down quiet alleyways.

A yokai that appeared in kibyōshi—illustrated comic storybooks popular during the Edo period. It does nothing more than appear on dark roads at night carrying a block of tofu. Taking the form of a child wearing a traditional straw hat, it is kind-hearted and timid. In some stories, it is even bullied by other yokai. It is said to appear all across Japan.

Tokyo

Blazing red-haired house spirit of Tosa, cousin to the zashiki-warashi, dwelling where hearths thrive.

Its trademarks are its tousled red hair and bright red nose. The color is said to be so vivid that it is difficult to look at directly. This childlike yokai is believed to bring prosperity to any household it chooses to inhabit. It is considered a relative of the zashiki-warashi, a type of household spirit found in legends throughout Japan.

Kouchi

Aged zither imbued with spirit over centuries, sounding forgotten melodies when left in quiet rooms.

The Edo-period artist Toriyama Sekien depicted many yokai in the form of musical instruments and everyday objects. Among them was the Kotofurunushi, an enchanted koto (Japanese zither), which he illustrated and described in his famous collection of yokai. Meanwhile, the Hizen no Kuni Fudoki records a mysterious tale about a koto in what is now Saga Prefecture.

Saga

An alternate manifestation of the enchanted instrument, echoing ancient folklore recorded in the Hizen Fudoki.

The Edo-period artist Toriyama Sekien depicted many yokai in the form of musical instruments and everyday objects. Among them was the Kotofurunushi, an enchanted koto (Japanese zither), which he illustrated and described in his famous collection of yokai. Meanwhile, the Hizen no Kuni Fudoki records a mysterious tale about a koto in what is now Saga Prefecture.

Saga

Twin dragon pine spirits who appeared as children at Chōkōji Temple, leaving brush poetry of enduring fortune.

In front of Chōkōji Temple, in what is now Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, once stood two pine trees whose intertwined forms resembled dragons.…

Aichi

Looming arbiter of the Aizu ridges, shaking mountain peaks in tests of strength and territorial balance.

Tengu, the mountain spirits of Japanese folklore, are found in legends throughout the country. The tengu of Aizu are said to have feet so enormous that they could stomp through the roof of a house. The thunderous sound of giant trees crashing deep in the mountains or huge boulders tumbling down the slopes may, according to legend, be the result of territorial battles between rival tengu.

Fukushima

Sacred golden rooster resting beneath the earth, crowing on the first day of spring to turn back calamity.

According to legend, Empress Jingū brought a golden rooster back from Korea.…

Hyogo

Rolling ball of thread-like fur from Nakatado that tumbles along twilight paths, expanding when challenged.

A yokai from the folklore of Nakatado District.…

Kagawa

Spectral guardian of Hyūga households, invoked by generations of parents to maintain domestic order.

A demon-like yokai from the folklore of Miyazaki City, Saito City, and surrounding areas. Parents would warn misbehaving children, "Gamojin is coming," to frighten them into behaving. Because it existed mainly as a figure used to scare children, no definite appearance has ever been recorded.

Miyazaki

Mountain robed spirit of Hitachi whose appearance on sunlit ridges drives away storm clouds and rain.

An old legend from Hitachi Province tells that when the figure of a monk called Hiyoribo appears on a rocky mountainside deep in the wilderness, the rain will stop and the skies will clear. In modern Japan, people hang small dolls called teru teru bozu, with round heads and umbrella-shaped bodies, to wish for fine weather. Some say that this custom originated with Hiyoribō.

Ibaraki

Diminutive corner spirit beating a miniature drum late at night to soothe restless nurseries into sleep.

A tiny yokai said to appear late at night, emerging from the corner of a room while beating a small drum. When a child would not stop crying at night, parents would soothe—or frighten—them by saying, "Sumabon is coming."

Ishikawa