youkai

Youkai are a class of supernatural beings in Japanese folklore. The term is written with the kanji 妖怪 and is often translated as “bewitching apparition” or “strange creature.” It covers a broad spectrum, from shapeshifters and nature spirits to malevolent demons and talking objects. Youkai are not a single, homogeneous group; they may be linked to Shinto or Buddhist ideas, or arise from folk fears, legends, and cultural imagination.

In traditional belief, youkai inhabit natural landscapes such as mountains, rivers, forests, and even human spaces like villages and households. They can be benevolent, mischievous, or dangerous, and they are typically depicted with personality and agency. Subtypes include tsukumogami (tools that gain life after 100 years), kitsune (fox spirits), tanuki (raccoon-dog shapeshifters), yuki-onna (snow woman), kappa (water creatures), and oni (ogres). Some youkai are considered spirits of places or phenomena, while others are powerful monsters or tricksters.

Historically, youkai figures appear in literature and art from the medieval period onward. The Edo-period tradition of yokai art and literature, such as Toriyama Sekien’s Hyakki Yagyo (Night Parade of One Hundred Demons), helped popularize a recognizable pantheon of beings. Depictions range from terrifying to humorous and often reflect social anxieties, moral lessons, or explanations of natural events.

In contemporary culture, youkai remain a common motif in manga, anime, films, and video games. The concept is used by scholars to describe a broad spectrum of supernatural phenomena, while popular usage sometimes conflates youkai with ghosts (yūrei) or other sinister beings.