The Bakemono Zukushi handscroll, painted in the Edo period (18th-19th century) by an unknown artist, depicts 24 traditional monsters that once used to spook the people of Japan.
Oyajirome (親白眼) has a bulging eye on the back of its head and a claw on its one-fingered hand.
Daichiuchi (大地打) is a mallet-wielding monster with a bird-like face.
Dōmo-kōmo (どうもこうも) is a two-headed creature with gray skin.
Sara-hebi (さら蛇) is a large, snake-like creature with the head of a woman.
Mi-no-kedachi (身の毛立) has a coat of body hair that stands on end.
Nobusuma (のぶすま) has a brown body, human-like face, spiky hair, claws, and sharp black teeth.
Uma-shika (馬鹿) is a horse-like monster with a horn on its head and a single bulging eye.
Hajikkaki (はぢっかき) has a round white body with short arms and legs.
Odoroshi (おどろし) is a red-faced monster with big eyes, black teeth, and long hair.
Yume-no-seirei ("dream ghost" - 夢の精霊) appears as a thin old man in a white robe.
Yamamba (山姥) is a mountain hag.
Rokurokubi (ろくろくび), a long-necked woman, is pictured next to an Inugami (犬神) dog spirit.
Boukon (亡魂), a departed soul, appears to have pale blue skin, long hair, and a distended belly.
Ushi-oni (牛鬼) is a sea monster with the head of a cow and the body of a giant spider or crab.
Yamawaro (山童) is a one-eyed kappa-like creature found in the mountains.
Buraribi (ぶらり火) is a white, bird-like creature surrounded by ghostly flames.
Uwan (うわん) is a creature that inhabits abandoned buildings.
Akashita ("red tongue" - 赤舌) is a hairy-faced creature that hides in a dark cloud.
Yuki-onna ("snow woman" - 雪女) appears on snowy nights as a beautiful woman with long hair.
Nekomata (猫また) cat demon plays the shamisen next to a kitsune (狐) fox spirit.
Kami-kiri ("hair cutter" - 髪切) are known for sneaking up on people and cutting off their hair.
[Via: International Research Center for Japanese Studies - Yokai Database]
erika
Some of these guys look so happy, haha. Akashita and Burari-bi look like they're going "YAY!"
[ ]John E.
Yah, Burari-bi looks totally stoked! Like it got ripped directly from a Tootsie-roll commercial from the 70s.
[ ]Mochi
Amazing and totally stylish...
[ ]where the hell do you get all those great pics... ?
puppy
The kanji for uma-shika (馬鹿) is the same as the kanji for "baka" (idiot). There's probably some reason for that...
[ ]Ryan
Wow, these are great. Such a shame nobody knows who actually created them. You can definitely see the influences that affected Miyazaki's interpretations of Japanese folklore, especially in 'Spirited Away'. No Face looks very much like a cross between ã®ã¶ã™ã¾, ã¯ã˜ã£ã‹ã and ã¼ã†ã“ã‚“.
Great find!
[ ]Nathan K
Another place to find some of these characters are in the films of Kurosawa, like "Dreams".
[ ]joshua
This shit is awesome! I'm working on a tattoo design that requires a lot of this stuff. Thanks for posting!!! I wish I could find some more! :)
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