inugami

Inugami (犬神) is a term in Japanese folklore that refers to a dog spirit or dog deity. The concept encompasses both protective spirits believed to guard households and malevolent, vengeance-bound entities said to be created through ritual. In many stories, an inugami is a soul or spiritual essence bound to a living dog or to a house, serving the household but capable of violence if mistreated or if vows are broken.

Origins and nature: The idea is most prominent in rural folklore dating to the Edo period. In some accounts, an inugami is formed by human ritual in which a dog is involved and a portion of a person’s soul is bound to it, creating a powerful servant within the family. The resulting spirit is typically described as extraordinarily loyal and dangerous, used as a supernatural instrument of protection or revenge. The bond is considered delicate, requiring careful ritual care; neglect or violation of the contract could cause the inugami to turn against its master or bring illness and misfortune to the household.

Forms and behavior: An inugami may inhabit a dog that serves as its vessel or be described as a protective yet volatile spirit within a home. It is usually tied to a specific household or lineage rather than roaming freely, and its presence is feared as well as revered, depending on how it is treated.

In modern culture: The inugami appears in folklore collections, literature, and popular media as a symbol of curses or loyal yet perilous guardians. The term is used in titles and as character names in films, novels, and manga, reflecting ongoing interest in dog-inspired spirits in Japanese fantasy and horror.