Japan
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Gangi Kozō
The Gangi Kozō is a yokai from Japanese mythology. They are described as monkey-like creatures covered in hair with hair on their heads in a style called Okappa, which was once common with children. They have webbed hands and thin sharp teeth similar to files. They are thought to be related to the Kappa, and some even believe that Kappa transition into mountains spirits when the seasons change, and the Gangi Kozō is the intermediary between these two forms. They live on riverbanks and eat fish. When fishermen encounter these creatures, they are supposed to leave their largest and cheapest fish as an offering. Citations: Meyer, Matthew. The Book of…
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Enenra/Enen-Ra/Enra-Enra
The Enenra is a Yokai from Japanese myth. They have no physical form and appear in smoke from fires. Their amorphous form may resemble animals or people and fade in and out of sight as the smoke shifts. They are completely harmless but very frightening, and are considered especially disturbing when they emerge from the smoke of someone being cremated. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Buruburu/Zokuzokugami/Okubyohgami
The Buruburu is a Yokai from Japan. They often appear as old men or women, shaking, and with one eye. The name Buruburu is meant to represent the sound of shivering in fear. They attack people by leaving their physical form and attaching their spectral form to a victim’s spine. The feeling of this attack causes the victim’s heart to seize up in horror. Sometimes it possesses without killing, leaving the victim overcome by fear so intense they fear everything. Victims of the fear caused by a Buruburu often commit suicide. Citations: Maberry, Jonathan. Vampire Universe: The Dark World of Supernatural Beings That Haunt Us, Hunt Us, and Hunger for…
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Black Tortoise/Black Warrior/Xuánwǔ/Genbu/Chih Ming
The Black Tortoise is a creature that was initially a Chinese symbol and was later adapted into Japanese myth. It is one of the Shijin along with the Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and the Azure Dragon. It is connected to the North, the color black, water, and winter. It was thought to represent cold, harshness, and power, and was also connected to the Funaoka-Yama Mountain. Sometimes it was represented as a traditional Chinese warrior with turtle and snake motifs, and other times it was depicted as a turtle and snake mating, combining into one singular animal. The reason for the snake and turtle being intertwined has been lost to time.…
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Bampu/Kykketsuki/Kyuketsuki
The Bampu is a Japanese mythical creature whose name means “bloodsucker.” Typically, this term is simply used when the European vampire has been absorbed into Japanese culture, most often in filmography. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2017. Bush, Laurence C.. Asian Horror Encyclopedia: Asian Horror Culture in Literature, Manga, and Folklore. United States, iUniverse, 2001. Melton, J Gordon. The Vampire Book: The Encyclopedia of the Undead. United Kingdom, Visible Ink Press, 2010.
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Azure Dragon/Green Dragon/Qinglong/Seiryu/Seryu/Shōryū/Meng Chang
The Azure Dragon is a creature that was initially a Chinese symbol and was later adapted into Japanese myth. It is one of the Shijin along with the Vermillion Bird, White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. It is connected to the East, the colors blue and green (because there wasn’t always a clear distinction between the two), wood and spring. It was thought to represent new life and was connected to the Kamo-Gawa River. It was depicted as a long serpentine dragon with no wings, that was blue, green, or turquoise color, occasionally with a red or black mane. It has the associated mansions (these being associated with the phases…
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Ao Bozu
The Ao Bōzu are Yokai of Japan whose name means “blue monk.” They live in fields, on lonely roads, and in uninhabited houses. They often eat children. They resemble a priest with blue skin and one eye, though the description can vary in size, number of eyes, and where they live. They possess a strong connection to magic. The word “ao” can mean blue or green and often relates to immaturity or inexperience. There are some similarities between this creature and the Hitotsume Kozō. In mythology, one-eyed monsters or lower gods often served the bidding of higher deities. They could be kept at bay with items such as woven baskets…
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Akkorokamui/Atkor Kamuy
Akkorokamui is from Japanese mythology. This creature’s name translates to “string holding kamui,” with string holding referring to its tentacles. It resembles a red octopus measuring 10,000 square meters in size. It was thought to be capable of swallowing ships and even whales in one bite. It was revered as the god of Uchiura Bay and sailors were warned to avoid the water when the sky and sea were red. If you had to be on the water during these times, you had to carry a scythe to protect yourself by cutting the tentacles with it. The origin of this creature is that it was once a giant spider called…
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Aka Manto/Aoi Manto/ Aka Kami/Aoi Hanten/Aoi Kami
Aka Manto is from Japan and is considered to be from modern folklore and urban legend. He haunts women’s restrooms. He stays in the furthest stall and ask the next occupant over if they want blue or red paper. If blue is picked, he hangs the woman. If red is picked, he slashes the woman repeatedly across the back with a blade. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016
