Today's topic is the jorougumo (女郎蜘蛛) or lady spider, as I like to call it. A spider creature that can change into a woman. Although the jorougumo is quite hideous - it's a gigantic spider, of course it's hideous - it isn't technically considered a youkai, but a nushi (主), wherein a creature that has survived for a long… Continue reading Jorougumo
Tag: japanese folklore
Mouryou
I'm terrible at updating, I know. It's just so easy for RL to get in the way and procrastinating and writing practically go hand-in-hand... This time it's about the mouryou, mainly because I like the way the Chinese characters look: 魍魎. So pretty yet so hard to write. Like many youkai, this is one that started in China and… Continue reading Mouryou
Kappas! Part 2
Kappas, although they're thought to be only the size of a child, evidently enjoy exhibiting their strength in the form of sumo wrestling, and often challenge people to matches. if they win, it's a safe bet the losers are dragged into the water, but if the kappa is the one who loses, they will keep on… Continue reading Kappas! Part 2
Kappas!
I've been procrastinating with this one for a while, but here it is: kappa (河童) One of the more well-known youkai in Japanese folklore, and not just because of the sushi kappa rolls (which I'm suddenly craving). A water demon most famously linked with rivers, its also been known to harbour in ponds, lakes, and even the… Continue reading Kappas!
Mermaids
'Lo all, been a bit lazy about posting again, but with the month of Halloween to spur me on, here's to much and more ghostly ghouls! Mermaids also have their part among Japanese folklore, but not quite the same way they're featured among Western audiences, with the singing and drowning sailors etc. According to Japanese folklore, the mermaid… Continue reading Mermaids
Night Parade Part 9
Subaru stared up at the slowly brightening sky, the ground cold against his back. His throat clogged with the heavy mix of blood and rot in each breath, and his chest was burning but it was too hard to move. He couldn’t feel his face. “You did very well, boy.” The lyrical voice of the… Continue reading Night Parade Part 9
Night Parade Part 8
The allies, so named in the tale remained seated in their spots in the circle just as their surrounding youkai burst in a sudden geyser of blood and limbs. The Fox chuckled while the Tanuki sighed of waste. The remaining youkai retaliated in outrage and several immediately raced to the Onmyouji, but were brought down… Continue reading Night Parade Part 8
Prequel to Onmyouji Chronicles 1-1
Back to my original piece of work. This is my first attempt at writing a short story, and confirmed my suspicions that I'm too long-winded to carry out short stories. It was meant to be a prequel to the Onmyouji Chronicles that I've tentatively named the Night Parade. Those who wonder what that refers to should check… Continue reading Prequel to Onmyouji Chronicles 1-1
Okiku
One of the more popular stories featuring an onryo, is the story of Okiku and the Nine Plates. There are several versions of the story, one is where Okiku is a beautiful servant, who rejects the advances of her master. He tricks her into believing she has lost/broken a plate from a prized ten-plate set,… Continue reading Okiku
Yurei
Here's a topic we've all probably heard in one form or another: Yurei (幽靈) or simply, a spirit or ghost. In Japanese folklore, this spirit can apparently be divided into two categories: Goryo (御靈) is a vengeful spirit of an aristocrat. In general, vengeful spirits are referred to as Onryo (怒靈), the stronger the sense… Continue reading Yurei
MJ Lin 