Resources · Creatures, spirits & other beings
Folklore Dictionary
Meet the beings of folklore: explore their names, descriptions and associated traditions, from familiar creatures to less familiar inhabitants of the otherworld.
1,598 reference entries · Browse A–Z or explore by place
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Creature coverage
Zoom or move the map, then choose “Filter to this area” to list creatures with a tradition location in that view. You can combine this with a character family or a search term.
Creatures associated with a tradition
8 creatures at 5 tradition locations · 0 without tradition coordinates
Markers use tradition coordinates linked through source names, recorded aliases, language groups or reviewed associations. Language-group links show cultural context, rather than verified creature occurrences in every tradition. Creatures sharing a location are grouped; select a marker to see their names. Counts cover all matching entries across every results page.
Use the location filter or the list below to browse associated places.
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8 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bake-kujiraThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghostly whale skeleton that drifts along the coastline of Shimane Prefecture | 5 |
| BakenekoAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Magical cat | 5 |
| BakezōriPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated straw sandal | 5 |
| BakuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Dream-devouring, tapir-like creature | 5 |
| Betobeto-sanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Invisible spirit which follows people at night, making the sound of footsteps | 5 |
| BinbōgamiDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit of poverty | 5 |
| Biwa-bokubokuPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated biwa | 5 |
| BoroborotonPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated futon | 5 |
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261028.1 (28 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
0009-0006-1672-4451
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