Ghosts and Legends 101
Unlike western ghosts, Japanese ghosts have an entire lexicon and categorisation system. Here, we’ll go over all of the different terms and what they mean. Think of it as a crash course.
Firstly, what’s the difference between ghosts in folklore and urban legends?
What surprises many people is that the time period the stories occur in doesn’t matter. Something can happen 10 years ago and still be considered folklore. The main factor that differentiates the two is that folklore is passed down through rural areas in traditional settings - while urban legends are more on-par with conspiracy theories. Like conspiracy theories, urban legends thrive in a modern society due to their popularity on the internet - while folklore is passed down through art and oral tradition.
A-Z…
「Funayurei」
The Funayurei are the ghosts of those who passed at sea. These ghosts are often depicted with scaly skin and are described as vengeful, malevolent beings. They gained much notoriety in the Edo period (1603-1868), though their stories are still going strong in the modern day.「Fuyurei」
Unlike most other ghosts, the Fuyurei are wildly abstract as their only defining factor is being a 'floating spirit' departed from a body. They don't seem to have a physical appearance nor a destination in mind, and are resigned to wandering around aimlessly. Some believe that Fuyurei are air-polluters, causing sickness and disease.「Gaki」
The Gaki (or Preta, as they are known in Sanskrit) have their origins in Buddhism and Hinduism, as well as many other east asian and south asian religions. They are thought to be a bad outcome of rebirth, doomed to feel eternal hunger and thirst. Their limbs are described as bendy and distended, with no hair and grotesque stomachs. Some people leave offerings of rice out to ease their pain. Their name quite literally translates to 'hungry ghosts'.「Goryo」
A widely-renowned figure (emperor, noble, daimyo etc.) that has died of unnatural causes is called a Goryo. They believe their death to be unjust and so, they haunt from the afterlife with malevolence. Due to the status of the deceased, there are many surviving stories about Goryo from ancient times.「Ikiryo」
While the Ikiryo are classed as ghosts, they're more akin to demons. The Ikiryo are living beings who've undergone such powerful emotions like infatuation or rage, that they've transformed into a spirit. The Ikiryo are usually female, and though many believe they are malevolent, it's not always true. They have no control over this transformation.「Jibakurei」
Jibakurei translates to 'earthbound spirit'. They are exactly what it says on the tin: spirits bound to specific places or situations. They don't possess any motives or fulfil any purpose. These ghosts are the personification of the phrases 'unfinished business' and 'purgatory'. The locations they are tied to have much significance for them.「Jikininki」
The Jikininki, similarly to the Gaki, have their origins in Buddhism. They are a branch of Gaki that are malevolent (or more desperate). It is said that the Jikininki feast on human flesh. There is no discrimination against the living or dead. Meat is meat - though offerings of rice at the alters are also up for the taking.「Onryo」
Onryo are beings who died with an incredible negative feeling, like jealousy or a grudge. They are believed to possess people with malicious intentions. Most often, Onryo are depicted as women - some of whom are so overcome with negative emotion, that they induce natural disasters to 'even the score' from the afterlife.「Ubume」
These ghosts are the spirits of departed mothers, who've either died in childbirth or only a few years afterwards. It is customary in rural areas to bury these mothers with an effigy of their child, in the hopes of giving them peace. The Ubume are kind spirits who continue to watch over their children from the afterlife, sometimes leaving sweets for their young children behind.「Yokai」
This term is used as a catch-all term for supernatural (often malevolent) beings, whether they're ghosts or demons- or something else entirely.「Yurei」
While Yurei is used as a catch-all term for Japanese ghosts, they are generally depicted similarly to western ghosts; somewhat transparent and glowing, with no feet.「Zashiki-Warashi」
The ghosts of children are known as Zashiki-Warashi. Originating from the Northeast of Japan (a.k.a the Tohoku region), these ghosts are seen as good omens. They are mischievous little beings known to pull light-hearted pranks on the living. According to legends, they are found inside storage rooms and old houses, wearing traditional clothing akin to kimonos. The sound of pin-wheels is supposed to indicate their presence.Commonly asked questions…
What is an effigy: A small statue meant to symbolise a person or an idea.
What is an offering: Something left at an alter (often food or drink) that is meant to appease a spirit or god.
What is a kami: Devine deities that are a part of the Shinto religion.
What is Shinto/Shintoism: Shinto is a Japanese branch of Buddhism that is infused with Japanese culture and beliefs.
What is a creepypasta: The term creepypasta is derived from the action ‘copy-paste’ and the word ‘creepy’. Creepypastas are a branch of urban legends, with them being scary stories often copied and pasted around the internet.