![]() One such story is a famous folk tale entitled Issun-bōshi (Little One-Inch). GoTo Japanese Folklore Oni’s wish-granting malletĪ number of stories present a wish-granting mallet as an oni’s valued possession. Reider "Japanese Demon Lore" (2.4 MB) page 26 The painting represents a joke that it takes a real oni with fangs to eat the oni senbei. The string that runs through the cracker was likely used for hanging it in the shop. The large object that the demon (oni) is so fiercely biting is oni senbei, roasted rice cracker known for being exceptionally hard and big. Right: Oni Senbei, painting by Nakajima Kahō (1866-1939). He carries a gong, a striker, and a hogacho. The oni (ogre or demon) is dressed in the robes of a wandering Buddhist priest. Middle Right: An oni chanting a Buddhist prayer, by Kyosai Kawanabe, 1864. Middle Left: A statue of a red oni wielding a kanabō. ![]() 59.2 cm x 22.1 cmĭemon Intoning the Name of the Buddha (Oni no nenbutsu), 1700s Right: Japanese Ritual mask of oni (demon) used in tsuina (oni yarai) exorcism Japan, Edo period, wood with color - Freer Gallery of Art. The invisible oni eventually became anthropomorphized and took on its modern, ogre-like form, partly via syncretism with creatures imported by Buddhism, such as the Indian rakshasa and yaksha, the hungry ghosts called gaki, and the devilish underlings of Enma-Ō who punish sinners in Jigoku (Hell).They share many similarities with the Arabian Jinn. Thus the Chinese character 鬼 (gwai) meaning "ghost" came to be used for these formless creatures. These nebulous beings could also take on a variety of forms to deceive (and often devour) humans. The word "oni" is sometimes speculated to be derived from on, the on'yomi reading of a character (隠) meaning to hide or conceal, as oni were originally invisible spirits or gods which caused disasters, disease, and other unpleasant things. In addition to this, it can mean to go overboard, or be unnecessarily strong or powerful. It can also be used in the sense of "strong beyond strong", or having one's natural quality enhanced or supplemented by the use of some tool. This image leads to the expression "oni with an iron club" (鬼に金棒 oni-ni-kanabō), that is, to be invincible or undefeatable. They are often depicted wearing tiger-skin loincloths and carrying iron clubs called kanabō (金棒). Their skin may be any number of colors, but red and blue are particularly common. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally, they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature, and theatre.ĭepictions of oni vary widely but usually portray them as hideous, gigantic ogre-like creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. ![]() Oni (鬼) are a kind of yōkai from Japanese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres, or trolls.
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