Long ago in Japan a strange thing happened. It was rice planting season and one of the farmers in the village was without a helper. To his surprise and delight, a stranger arrived and offered to help him. He worked very fast and by the end of the day all the... #MythologyMonday #JapaneseFolklore 1/5

In #JapaneseFolklore kage onna appear as the shadows of women on windows and doors, even when there is no one around to cast them. You are most likely to see them late at night when the moon is bright. Other than being absolutely terrifying, this yokai is... #yokai #FolkloreThursday #FolkyFriday 1/2

In #JapaneseFolklore Momotaro was a boy who arrived on Earth in a giant peach. As a young child, he was found floating down a river inside the peach by a childless couple, who then raised him. It quickly became apparent that he had supernatural strength. When he grew up he... #WyrdWednesday 1/3

In #JapaneseFolklore, many rivers and ponds are believed to be inhabited by nushi, which are guardian spirits. They can be both benevolent and dangerous. There was one pond near the Asuwa River that was said to be home to a terrifying catfish nushi. Because of... #SwampSunday #FolkloreSunday 1/6

In #JapaneseFolklore there is a tale of Katsura Otoko, an extraordinarily beautiful man believed to live on the moon. Based on a myth from China, it is said he lives in a moon palace and spends his time pruning a katsura tree. He prunes it so much that there is... #FullMoon #FolkloreSunday 1/5

I've written a new article about cats in Japanese folklore and culture including cat yokai, lucky cats, cats in Japanese art and more.
https://open.substack.com/pub/curiousordinary/p/cats-in-japanese-folklore-and-culture?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2q0akd
#JapaneseFolklore #folklore #cats @folklore

In #JapaneseFolklore gashadokuro is a #yokai who takes the form of a skeletal giant. The name is onomatopoeic for the sound of their rattling bones and teeth. This yokai is created from a conglomeration of many vengeful spirits of soldiers who have died in battle and remained... #FolkyFriday 1/4

In #JapaneseFolklore there is a supernatural phenomenon known as mayoibune (which translates as 'wandering ship'). It involves ghostly ships that appear on moonlit nights during the Obon holiday. They are the haunting ghosts of sailors who died at sea. Mayoibune start... #WyrdWednesday #yokai 1/4

There are many other #yokai that are believed to help protect people from illness and disease. Generally it is said that carrying an image of the creature can be protective. One of my favourites is yogen no tori. bsky.app/profile/curi... #MythologyMonday #JapaneseFolklore 1/3

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In #JapaneseFolklore there is a #yokai known as kotobuki, a chimera made up of parts of all 12 zodiac animals. It is believed that just having an image of this auspicious magical beast will protect you from sickness and disease and can even bring good fortune. #MythologyMonday 1/2

In #JapaneseFolklore oni are ferocious demons said to bring disease and punish the damned in hell. These #yokai are generally depicted with red or blue skin, horns, sharp fangs and claws, often wielding a club. #MythologyMonday

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Kappa are a well-known #yokai in #JapaneseFolklore. Don't be fooled by their sometimes cute depictions though, they can be extremely dangerous. If you encounter one & need to escape be sure to have cucumbers handy to throw their way, or you can try a deep bow. More below #FolkyFriday Robyn Buntin

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If you are putting off your spring cleaning this year, you may be more motivated after reading about keukegen. These #yokai are found in dirty gardens & homes, often hiding under floorboards or in mouldy corners. They appear as a mass of long, filthy hair... #LegendaryWednesday #JapaneseFolklore 1/4

In #JapaneseFolklore 'The Cat Witch of Okazaki' is a tale about three travellers who stopped at a temple on their way home from a pilgrimage. They found a kind old lady called Osan living there who invited them to spend the night. While there, they witnessed something very... #FairyTaleTuesday 1/4

In #JapaneseFolklore ogama are giant forest-dwelling toad #yokai. It's believed that when toads reach 1000 years old they develop supernatural powers and become yokai. Ogama get increasingly more dangerous as they get older, often killing and eating humans. #FolkyFriday Matthew Meyer @yokai.com 1/2

In #JapaneseFolklore there is a strange #yokai phenomenon known as ashiarai yashiki where a giant, hairy, bloody, disembodied foot crashes through the roof of a house demanding to be washed by the residents within. If it isn't obeyed it will smash the house to pieces. If it is... #FolkyFriday 1/2

Oiwa is a Japanese ghost, the vengeful spirit of a young woman betrayed by her husband. He disfigured her face in an attempt to get rid of her so he could marry a younger woman. She cursed the pair on her death and returned to haunt all who had betrayed her. #MythologyMonday #JapaneseFolklore 1/3

In #JapaneseFolklore there are many tragic love stories where husbands betray or murder their wives, and then the wife returns as a vengeful spirit (or yurei) to get her revenge. One of the most famous is Kasane, an Edo period ghost story. Kasane had a tragic life. She lost... #MythologyMonday 1/3

In #JapaneseFolklore there is a belief that bodies of water contain a nushi, or guardian spirit. There is one tale of a man named Botaro who was the son of farmers. Instead of helping on the farm, each day he chose to go fishing alone at a nearby pond which... #SwampSunday #FolkloreSunday 1/5