325 Terrifying Japanese Demon Names to Make You Shiver

Japanese folklore is a treasure trove of mythological tales and legendary creatures that have captivated imaginations for centuries.

Among the most intriguing elements of this rich tapestry are the demons, or yokai, that embody a range of emotions, fears, and moral lessons.

These supernatural entities are not merely remnants of ancient beliefs; they have evolved alongside Japanese culture, influencing literature, art, and even modern media.

This blog aims to introduce some of the most terrifying Japanese demon names, offering a glimpse into their origins, stories, and cultural significance.

Japanese Demon Names

Japanese Demon Names

Japanese demon names are rich in folklore and mythology, with each name carrying its own unique meaning and history.

Some names are derived from ancient texts, while others have been passed down through oral traditions.

There is a vast array of Japanese demon names, each representing different characteristics and traits. Here are just a few examples that will send shivers down your spine:

  1. Akuma (悪魔): This name translates to “devil” or “demon” and is often used to describe evil spirits or creatures.
  2. Oni (鬼): These are malevolent demons with horns, sharp teeth, and a fierce, red-eyed appearance. They are believed to cause disasters and misfortune.
  3. Tengu (天狗): These demon-like creatures have long noses, wings, and a reputation for causing chaos and mischief. They are also known for their intelligence and martial arts skills.
  4. Yuki-Onna (雪女): Translating to “snow woman,” this demon is a beautiful, ghostly entity that appears in wintry landscapes and brings death to those who cross her path.
  5. Kami (神): While not technically demons, kami are powerful supernatural beings in Japanese mythology that can be benevolent or malevolent. They are often worshipped as deities.
  6. Jorogumo (絡新婦): Also known as the “binding bride,” this spider demon can transform into a beautiful woman who lures unsuspecting men to their doom before devouring them.
  7. Noppera-bō (のっぺら坊): These are faceless ghosts that appear human until they reveal their featureless faces, often scaring those who encounter them late at night near rivers or forests.
  8. Rokurokubi (ろくろ首): By day, they seem like ordinary humans, but by night their necks extend to grotesque lengths, allowing them to terrorize their victims with long-reaching, serpentine heads.
  9. Kappa (河童): These water demons are notorious for dragging people, especially children, into rivers and ponds. They have webbed hands and feet, a dish-like head that holds water, and a deadly grip.
  10. Yurei (幽霊): Ghosts of those who have died in a state of deep emotion or attachment, yurei are spirits that return to haunt the living, often seeking revenge or closure for their untimely deaths.
  11. Gashadokuro (餓者髑髏): Giant skeletal figures formed from the bones of people who died of starvation. They wander the night, seeking to crush the living and drink their blood.
  12. Tengu (天狗): This demon is known for its long nose, which represents pride and arrogance. They are also said to have the power of flight and control over wind and storms.
  13. Yamauba (山姥): Translating to “mountain crone,” this demon is depicted as an old, ugly woman who preys on young men in the mountains, often leading them to their deaths.
  14. Baku (貘): This dream-eating creature can shape-shift into various forms and consume nightmares by placing its trunk-like nose on a person’s forehead.
  15. Nekomata (猫又): These cat demons have split tails and are known for their ability to transform into humans or other animals. They are said to bring bad luck and misfortune.
  16. Kagekiyo (景清): This demonic entity is said to possess the body of legendary samurai Minamoto no Raikō and cause him to commit atrocities.
  17. Kumorigami (雲神): These demons are the deities of fog and mist, often depicted as giant monsters or shapeshifting foxes that bring confusion and paranoia to those caught in their fogs.
  18. Hitodama (人魂): These demon spirits appear as balls of fire or flying orbs and are said to be the souls of people who died suddenly or violently.
  19. Kokumotsu-shu (国本主): This demon is said to control the underworld and punish those who have committed evil deeds in life.
  20. Kijin (鬼神): These demons are powerful spirits that reside in mountains, forests, and other natural locations. They are known for their fierce temper and immense strength.

Scary Japanese Demon Names

  1. Oni
  2. Tengu
  3. Jorogumo
  4. Yuki-onna
  5. Noppera-bo
  6. Kappa
  7. Gashadokuro
  8. Nurarihyon
  9. Rokurokubi
  10. Yurei
  11. Shinigami
  12. Ame-onna
  13. Oiwa
  14. Uji no hashihime
  15. Aka Manto
  16. Kuchisake-onna
  17. Nure-onna
  18. Taka-onna
  19. Funa Yurei
  20. Hone-onna
  21. Yatagarasu
  22. Hannya
  23. Rokurokubi
  24. Uwan
  25. Nuribotoke
  26. Shunpukumaru
  27. Kasha
  28. Tenome
  29. Ao-bouzu
  30. Yurei Zenshin
  31. Sotoba Komachi
  32. Ōkubi
  33. Mikoshi-nyūdō
  34. Tesso
  35. Dodomeki
  36. Nure-onago
  37. Kanbari-nyūdō
  38. Futakuchi-onna
  39. Sankai
  40. Kamaitachi
  41. Katakirauwa
  42. Otoroshi
  43. Betobeto-san
  44. Mikaribaba
  45. Ubume
  46. Goryo
  47. Aka-shita
  48. Buruburu
  49. Shōjō
  50. Yosuzume

Evil Japanese Demon Names

  1. Yamanba
  2. Nuppeppo
  3. Harionago
  4. Ippondatara
  5. Yamata-no-Orochi
  6. Futakuchi-onna
  7. Yamashiro
  8. Jikininki
  9. Amikiri
  10. Azukiarai
  11. Bake-kujira
  12. Nure-onago
  13. Furu-utsubo
  14. Sazae-oni
  15. Raijū
  16. Nobusuma
  17. Furuutsubo
  18. Sarahebi
  19. Aobozu
  20. Shōjō
  21. Zashiki-warashi
  22. Enenra
  23. Hinnagami
  24. Susanoo
  25. Hakutaku
  26. Onibaba
  27. Gaki
  28. Omagatoki
  29. Dorotabo
  30. Tenaga
  31. Kubikajiri
  32. Sankai
  33. Umi Nyōbō
  34. Yakubyōgami
  35. Iso Onna
  36. Uwan
  37. Jorogumo
  38. Sutoku Tenno
  39. Tsuchigumo
  40. Hōkoku
  41. Kijimuna
  42. Okiku
  43. Hideri Gami
  44. Ōkubi
  45. Kage-onna
  46. Goryō
  47. Hōsō Kami
  48. Ushioni
  49. Shoujou
  50. Himiko

Japanese Demon Names from Folklore

  1. Yurei
  2. Inugami
  3. Ryu
  4. Mara
  5. Okuri-inu
  6. Rasho-mon
  7. Yūrei
  8. Ao-andon
  9. Abura-sumashi
  10. Isogashi
  11. Gashadokuro
  12. Goryō
  13. Kamikiri
  14. Kasha
  15. Konaki-jiji
  16. Kuro-bozu
  17. Kyōkotsu
  18. Noppera-bō
  19. Nuppeppō
  20. Nukekubi
  21. Nozuchi
  22. Onryō
  23. Satori
  24. Shachihoko
  25. Shirime
  26. Tengu
  27. Tenjōname
  28. Tsuchinoko
  29. Tsukumo-no-mikazuki
  30. Umibōzu
  31. Uwan
  32. Yama-uba
  33. Yuki-onna
  34. Yurei
  35. Zashiki-warashi
  36. Yosuzume
  37. Hitodama
  38. Shitanagauba
  39. Karakasa-obake
  40. Kawa-no-kami
  41. Utsurobune
  42. Kurozuka
  43. Usotsuki Odori
  44. Boroboroton
  45. Ichimokuren
  46. Chōchinobake
  47. Shiryō
  48. Tachibanaya
  49. Azuki-arai
  50. Nurarihyon
Scary Japanese Demon Names from Mythology

Scary Japanese Demon Names from Mythology

  1. Ashinaga-tenaga
  2. Bake-danuki
  3. Buruburu
  4. Chochinbi
  5. Daitengu
  6. Enkō
  7. F of Ono
  8. Futakuchi-onna
  9. Gaki
  10. Hikeshibaba
  11. Hone-onna
  12. Hyakume
  13. Ibaraki-dōji
  14. Ikiryo
  15. Inugami
  16. Isonade
  17. Jatai
  18. Jinmenju
  19. Kamaitachi
  20. Kameosa
  21. Kawatarō
  22. Kiyohime
  23. Kodama
  24. Kyōkotsu
  25. Mizuchi
  26. Mokumokuren
  27. Myobu
  28. Nure-onago
  29. Obariyon
  30. Onbu-Obake
  31. Onikuma
  32. Raiju
  33. Rokuro-kubi
  34. Ryota no onna
  35. Samebito
  36. Sankai
  37. Sasarae
  38. Shachihoko
  39. Shiranui
  40. Sōgen-bi
  41. Syura
  42. Tenko
  43. Toire-no-Hanakosan
  44. Tsuchinoko
  45. Umi-nyōbō
  46. Waira
  47. Wanyūdō
  48. Wara-ningyō
  49. Yamabiko
  50. Yamajiji

Classic Japanese Demon Names

  1. Amanojaku
  2. Jikininki
  3. Kamikiri
  4. Shuten-dōji
  5. Kappa
  6. Nue
  7. Ōkami-no-musume
  8. Ashiarai Yashiki
  9. Yūrei
  10. Umibōzu
  11. Wanyūdō
  12. Abura-sumashi
  13. Nurarihyon
  14. Rokurokubi
  15. Kasha
  16. Mokumokuren
  17. Noppera-bō
  18. Konaki-jiji
  19. Ōkubi
  20. Tsurube-otoshi
  21. Ubume
  22. Akaname
  23. Shōjō
  24. Neko-mata
  25. Yamauba
  26. Yūki-onna
  27. Fūri
  28. Waira
  29. Yamata-no-Orochi
  30. Toko-oni
  31. Tanuki
  32. Sushi-keshi
  33. Furari-no-ushiro
  34. Raijū
  35. Kakuregama
  36. Tōfu-kozō
  37. Hitotsume-kozō
  38. Kanashibari
  39. Karura
  40. Minobi
  41. Tantan-bō
  42. Nurarihyon no mago
  43. Shiwaden
  44. Migawari
  45. Misaki
  46. Iyashika
  47. Omagatoki
  48. Susanoo-no-Mikoto
  49. Ame-onna
  50. Hanako-san

Cool Japanese Demon Names

  1. Namahage
  2. Akuma
  3. Hoshiguma
  4. Yamamba
  5. Tesso
  6. Daitengu
  7. Sojobo
  8. Fudou Myouou
  9. Yomotsu-shikome
  10. Aka-na-shi
  11. Otoroshi
  12. Gashadokuro
  13. Shoujo
  14. Yasha
  15. Hannya
  16. Kitsune
  17. Tanuki
  18. Nebutamushi
  19. Shikome
  20. Nue
  21. Jorogumo
  22. Nopperabou
  23. Goryou
  24. Rokurokubi
  25. Honeonna
  26. Azuki Arai
  27. Hyakki Yako
  28. Ubume
  29. Omukade
  30. Shoujou
  31. Gashadokuro
  32. Kamaitachi
  33. Tsuchigumo
  34. Nopperabou
  35. Heikegani
  36. Yanari
  37. Yamajijii
  38. Umibouzu
  39. Dodomeki
  40. Abura Sumashi
  41. Kasha
  42. Jikininki
  43. Bake-kujira
  44. Yanari
  45. Kamaitachi
  46. Ashiaraiyashiki
  47. Gashadokuro
  48. Makuragaeshi
  49. Futakuchi-onna
  50. Tenjouname

Demons Significance in Japanese Mythology

Oni – The Fearsome Ogres

Oni are one of the most well-known demons in Japanese mythology, often depicted as large, fearsome ogres with sharp claws, wild hair, and a menacing countenance.

They usually have reddish or bluish skin, and wear tiger-skin loincloths while wielding massive clubs.

The folklore surrounding Oni often paints them as malevolent beings who descend from the mountains to bring misfortune, disaster, and death to humans.

Famous legends include the story of Shuten-doji, a powerful Oni leader who was ultimately slain by the hero Minamoto no Raiko.

Modern Japanese media continually revisits Oni, portraying them in everything from anime and video games to literature and films, thus perpetuating their fearsome reputation.

Yurei – The Vengeful Spirits

Yurei are akin to Western ghosts, but often carry more intense emotional weight and complex backstories. T

ypically, Yurei are spirits of people who died with unresolved issues or strong feelings of vengeance. Their characteristics are marked by having white burial kimonos, long disheveled hair, and a haunting presence.

Notable examples include the tragic tale of Oiwa, who was betrayed and murdered by her husband, and Okiku, who was wrongfully accused of breaking a valuable plate.

Yurei also permeate Japanese pop culture, from iconic horror films like “The Ring” and “The Grudge” to various adapted forms in manga and anime, amplifying their eerie influence.

Tengu – The Mountain Demons

Tengu, often associated with mountains and forests, have a dual nature that makes them both feared and respected.

Historically, Tengu were depicted as bird-like creatures, but over time, their image evolved into that of warrior monks with red faces and long noses.

The tales of Tengu are abundant, recounting their trickster habits or their roles as protectors of sacred spaces.

One famous story involves the Tengu Sojobo, who is said to have trained the legendary warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune.

This complexity is reflected in their portrayal as either hostile entities that lead travelers astray or as guardians who impart wisdom.

Rokurokubi – The Long-Necked Women

Rokurokubi are unique among yokai due to their ability to elongate their necks, often at night while they are asleep.

By day, they appear as ordinary humans, but as darkness falls, their necks stretch to grotesque lengths. Sometimes, this transformation is involuntary, a result of a curse.

Legends about Rokurokubi vary, including tales of women who became these creatures due to transgressions or curses placed upon them.

Symbolically, they often represent hidden aspects of human nature and the duality of our inner and outer selves.

In modern media, Rokurokubi continue to appear in horror films, novels, and manga, capturing the imagination with their grotesque and tragic appearances.

Jorogumo – The Spider Woman

Jorogumo is a demon who embodies both allure and terror, as she can transform into a beautiful woman to lure unsuspecting men to her lair.

In her true form, she is a giant, deadly spider that preys on humans. Legends about Jorogumo are chilling, often involving her duplicitous nature and the inevitable demise of her victims.

One famous story tells of a man who fell in love with a beautiful woman, only to discover she was a Jorogumo attempting to devour him.

Jorogumo’s terrifying allure has influenced numerous works in literature and media, serving as a grim reminder of the dangers of deceit.

Kuchisake-onna – The Slit-Mouthed Woman

The legend of Kuchisake-onna, or the Slit-Mouthed Woman, is a relatively modern urban myth that has taken root in Japanese folklore.

According to the legend, this woman roams the streets wearing a surgical mask. She approaches potential victims and asks if they think she is beautiful.

If they respond positively, she removes her mask to reveal a grotesque slit extending from ear to ear. Depending on the reaction, her response can be deadly.

This tale originated in the late 1970s and has since been adapted into various horror films and stories, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary Japanese horror culture.

Conclusion

From the monstrous Oni to the haunting Yurei and the deceptive Jorogumo, Japan’s demonic folklore presents a fascinating and eerie array of supernatural beings.

These stories not only thrill and terrify but also offer valuable insights into cultural beliefs, moral lessons, and human nature.

The enduring fascination with these figures highlights the universal appeal of the mysterious and the macabre.

Whether you’re a fan of horror or a student of culture, the legends of Japanese demons provide endless avenues for exploration and reflection.

Have you ever encountered any stories or experiences with Japanese demons?

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