Earlier this year, I posted what I thought was a really fun piece about historical Japanese horror as depicted in their art. Many people seemed to really enjoy that post as it was a different way to peer into horror and how it influenced characters and legends throughout history.
Today, we’re going to venture deeper into Japanese culture and folklore with the assistance of Canadian progressive metal band Oni and their frontman, Jake Oni. Jake has created a list of six terrifying demonic creatures that hail from Japan, each rooted in fascinating lore and mythology.
Head on below to see his list and make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to get a taste of Oni and the vicious yet highly entertaining music they’re about to unleash upon us!
The Oni Demon
The Oni is a demon in Japanese folklore. Oni were originally known as any ghost or monster, but today the Oni is mainly portrayed as an Ogre demon. The band has a huge interest in Japanese subculture, i.e. anime/manga, music, bands, movies, etc, and although none of the band members are Japanese, we thought the idea of using a Japanese equivalent to a demon or evil being fit our musical style and interests. To us the Oni demon represents simplicity and brutality, and we like the imagery.
The Teke Teke Ghost
The Teke Teke is an urban legend in Japan. Supposedly a young girl dies after falling on the railway tracks and being cut in half by the train. She believes other should share her horrible fate and has returned as a vengeful spirit. Her name comes from the scratching sound “teke, teke” that her body makes as she drags it along with her hands. Anyone caught out after night and not fast enough will be sliced in half.
Ittan-Momen
Ittan-Momen is a sadistic demon that has the shape of a roll of cotton cloth. It flies through the air, picking its targets at random and kills you by either wrapping around your neck and choking you or around your head until you suffocate.
Nure-Onna
Nure-Onna is a demon with the head of a woman and the body of an enormous snake, which is usually found along the shores of lakes and rivers. In some stories the Nure-Onna carries a small bundle which looks like a baby, and will ask potential victims to hold while she washes her hair. If the victim is well intentioned, they will survive, but if they attempt to put the bundle down, it will become massively heavy, preventing them from fleeing. The Nure-Onna then attacks and sucks out your blood with her tongue.
Shinigami
Shinigami are like a Japanese version of the Grim Reaper. They are supernatural spirits which call humans to death. It is believed that they would possess humans and inspire them to commit suicide. Japanese folk religion believed certain rites had to be followed so as not to attract the attention of the Shinigami.
Wanyudo
Is a soul stealing demon who guards the gates of Hell. It takes the form of a burning cart wheel with the face of a tormented man at its hub. Some stories say the face belongs to the cursed soul of a tyrannical ruler. One famous story tells of a woman who peeked out of her window when the Wanyuda was rolling through town. The demon yelled at her, “Instead of looking at me, have a look at your own child!” The woman looked back at her baby who was screaming on in the floor in a pool of blood. Both of its legs had been torn off. When she looked back at the Wanyudo, the baby’s legs were in its mouth, being eaten by the grinning demon.
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Tour dates wth Children of Bodom, Abbath, and Emortus:
Nov. 23 – L’Imperial Bell – Quebec City, QC, Canada
Nov. 24 – Metropolis – Montreal, QC
Nov. 25 – Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON, Canada
Nov. 26 – House of Blues – Chicago, IL
Nov. 28 – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH
Nov. 29 – The Rave – Eagles Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
Nov. 30 – Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
Dec. 02 – The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
Dec. 03 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
Dec. 05 – The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
Dec. 06 – The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA
Dec. 07 – The Pressroom – Phoenix, AZ
Dec. 09 – Gas Monkey Live! – Dallas, TX
Dec. 10 – The Aztec Theater – San Antonio, TX
Dec. 11 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
Dec. 13 – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
Dec. 14 – Neighborhood Theatre – Charlotte, NC
Dec. 16 – Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
Dec. 17 – Theatre of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
Dec. 18 – Irving Plaza – New York, NY
Dec. 19 – Warsaw – Brooklyn, NY
