子泣き爺
☠☠☠☠
Konaki Jijii
子泣き爺
Konaki Jijii is a deceptive spirit, known for crushing victims with its weight, and is often found on mountain roads.
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Shikoku
江戸時代
Edo
1603 - 1868
Overview
Over 250 years of peace under the Tokugawa shogunate. Japan was closed to the outside world, allowing a unique urban culture to flourish in Edo (Tokyo).
Significance
The era of Kabuki, Ukiyo-e, and the merchant class. High literacy rates led to a boom in publishing.
Yokai Context
The Golden Age of Yokai. Artists like Toriyama Sekien cataloged yokai in encyclopedias (Bestiaries). Yokai shifted from feared entities to sources of entertainment and collectibles.
Key Events
1776
Publication of Gazu Hyakki Yagyo
Toriyama Sekien's first yokai encyclopedia.
ConnectionStandardized the appearance of many yokai for the first time.
Yokai from Edo Period
犬神
☠☠☠
Inugami
犬神
Inugami are dog spirits created through a cruel ritual to serve as familiars. They bring wealth and power to their owners (Inugami-mochi) but can also curse enemies or bite the hand that feeds them.
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Shikoku
磯撫
☠☠☠☠☠
Isonade
磯撫
A massive, shark-like sea monster that patrols the coasts of Western Japan. It has a giant tail covered in barbs which it uses to hook sailors from their boats and drag them into the deep.
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Kyushu
絡新婦
☠☠☠☠☠
Jorogumo
絡新婦
The Jorogumo is a giant spider yokai that can transform into a beautiful woman. It lures men into quiet places, seduces them, and then binds them in sticky webs to devour them later.
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Kanto
古戦場火
☠☠
Kosenjoubi
古戦場火
Kosenjoubi is a ghost fire, known for floating over battlegrounds, and is often found on old battlefields.
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百目
☠☠
Hyakume
百目
Hyakume is a mysterious fleshy monster, known for having a hundred eyes, and is often found in old temples.
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狐者異
☠☠☠
Kowai
狐者異
Kowai is a hungry ghost, known for its insatiable appetite, and is often found near food stalls.
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☠
Kaichigo
貝児
A tsukumogami (object spirit) born from a kai-awase (shell-matching game) set. It appears as a child playing with the shells.
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☠☠
Kitsunebi
狐火
Kitsunebi is a spirit orb, known for appearing as ghostly fire, and is often found in fields or mountains.
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KantoTohoku
☠☠☠☠☠
Itsuki
縊鬼
A terrifying ghost of someone who committed suicide by hanging. It seeks to trick or force living people into hanging themselves so that the Itsuki can be freed from its torment and reincarnate.
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☠☠☠
Dodomeki
百々目鬼
Dodomeki is a cursed demon, known for having arms covered in eyes, and is often found in towns.
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Kanto
☠☠☠☠☠
Korouri
虎狼狸
Korouri is a chimeric beast, known for spreading cholera, and is often found in urban areas.
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