| Oni | |
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Real Name |
Oni |
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First Appearance |
Japanese Myth |
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Created by |
Japanese Myth |
Origin[]
An oni is a kind of yōkai, demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. They are believed to live in caves or deep in the mountains. Oni are known for their superhuman strength and have been associated with powers like thunder and lightning, along with their evil nature manifesting in their propensity for murder and cannibalism.
They are typically portrayed as hulking figures with one or more horns growing out of their heads, massive teeth, and occasionally a third eye in the center of the forehead. They are typically depicted with red, blue, black, or yellow colored skin, wearing loincloths of tiger pelt, and carrying iron kanabō clubs. They also have three to six digits on each hand and foot tipped with claw-like nails.
Oni are able to change their looks to fool their victims into trusting them. Oni can be male or female, but have been predominantly male throughout history. Female oni are sometimes referred to by the name Yamauba. When in disguise, oni are capable of appearing as a man or woman, regardless of their gender. As monstrous as oni are, they have been linked to bringing good fortune and wealth.
Oni are featured in Japanese children's stories such as Momotarō (Peach Boy), Issun-bōshi, and Kobutori Jīsan.
Sha Wujing from Journey to the West is sometimes described as being an oni as well.
Shuten-dōji is a mythical oni or demon leader of Japan, who according to legend was killed by the hero Minamoto no Raikō.
Abe no Seimei was said to have at a very early age, no later than five, been able to command weak oni to do his bidding. He was also said to be responsible for divining the location of the Shuten-dōji.
Hattori Hanzo, a famous samurai of the Sengoku era, had the nickname Oni no Hanzō (Demon Hanzō).
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Oni from before January 1, 1930 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
- Nihon Ryōiki
- The Tales of Ise
- Konjaku Monogatarishū
- Saihan Momotarō mukashigatari (1777)
- Momotarō (1723)
- Enseki zasshi (1811)
- Hina no Ukegi (1798–1861)
- Momotarō takara no kurairi (1830-40)
- Momotarō (1894)
- Kokugo tokuhon (1910)
- Momotarō-shugi no kyōiku (1915)
- Tales of Old Japan (1871)
- Japanese Fairy Tale (1885)
- Iwaya's Fairy Tales of Old Japan (1903)
- Japanese Fairy Tales (1911)
Notes[]
- Ogerpon is a Grass-type Legendary Pokémon introduced during Generation IX, in The Teal Mask DLC, that is based on the Oni from the tale of Momotarō.
- The Zeti and the Deadly Six from Sonic Lost World were heavily inspired by the traditional artistic depictions of Oni.
- The Yellow Ranger in Avataro Sentai Donbrothers the 46th Super Sentai series is based on the Oni from the story of Momotaro.