Yokai, Yurei, Myths, & Legends

Various objects depicting Yokai (spirits / monsters), Yurei (ghosts), and other Bakemono (monsters)

Tanuki

Tanuki (Raccoon Dogs). One of three common shapeshifting animals. Often disguised as a traveller, a priest, or a tea kettle (the story of Bunbuku Chagama).

Kitsune

Kitsune (Foxes). A messenger of the Shinto goddess Inari. One of three common shapeshifting animals. Sometimes depicted with up to nine tails.

Supernatural Cats

Supernatural cats (Neko). Including Monster Cats (Nekomata, Bakeneko) and Maneki Neko (Lucky Cats). One of three common shapeshifting animals. Sometimes depicted with two tails.

Kappa

Water spirits. Anthropomorphic turtles, with water-filled bowl-shaped depression on their head

Ningyo

Japanese mermaids

Prophetic Yokai

Amabie, Hakutaku, Hōnengame, Jinja Hime, Kudan, & Yogen no tori

Amabie

Amabie (アマビエ) is a legendary Japanese mermaid with a beak-like mouth and three legs, who allegedly emerges from the sea, prophesies either an abundant harvest or an epidemic, and instructed people to make copies of its likeness to defend against illness. It was a symbol of defense against disease in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amabiko

Nue	A Chimera with the head of a monkey, limbs of a tiger, body of a tanuki, and the front of a snake for a tail

Oni & Demons

Japanese demons, devils, or orges. Includes the Gods of Wind and Thunder, Fujin and Raijin, as they are usually depicted as Oni. Also includes Hannya, a female demon of vengance. Sometimes somewhat reptilian.

Kiyohime at Dojoji

Hannya

Enma Daiō - King of Hell

Fujin & Raijin

Shojo

Red haired water spirits that are famous for drinking lots of sake

Tengu

Japanese bird demons. Karasu-Tengu (Crow Tengu) are depicted with wings, claws, and beaks. Tengu are depicted with more human faces, with long noses.

Tsukumogami

Objects that have transformed into Yokai. Including Chochin-obake (Lantern Monster), Kasa-Obake (Umbrella Monster), Ittan-Momen (Fabric Monster), and many others.

Kasa-Obake

Chochin-Obake

Skeletons, Skulls, & Bones

Yurei

Vengeful ghosts.

Funayurei

Okka	Small, toad-like Obake

Yamabiko

Yamauba

Mountain witch, adoptive mother of Kintaro

Yuki-Nyūdo

Bakemono & Others

Assorted Bakemono (monsters) and Yokai.

Hitotsume Kozō

Tōfu Kozō

Amefuri Kozō

Fish Monsters

Dragons

Rain Dragons and Sky Dragons.

Kirin

Qilin in China. An "Asian Unicorn", similar to a composite of Dragon and Horse. Likely based on descriptions of Giraffes.

Ho-o	Phoenix, or Fenghua in China

ShiShi

Guardian Lions, Foo Dogs, Foo Lions, Komainu, or Shisa (Okinawa)

Minogame

Long lived turtle, with a "tail" of seaweed. Sometimes depicted with a dragon-like head.

Baku	A mythological Dream-Eater. A chimera-like animal, with the trunk of an elephant, and the body of a lion. Likely based on descriptions of a Tapir.

Anthropomorphic Animals

Moon Rabbit, Sparrow Dancers, and others

Folk Heroes

Kintaro, Momotaro, Urashimataro, Little One Inch, and others

Kintaro

Momotaro

Urashimataro

Kaguya-hime (Bamboo Princess)

Little One Inch

Seven Lucky Gods

Fukurokuju, Daikoku, Ebisu, Jurojin, Hotei, Benzaiten, & Bishamonten. And the various symbols of the gods, including the Takarabune (Treasure Ship), Daikoku's Mallet, & Hotei's Sack.