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
230 creatures at 6 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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230 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| GashadokuroGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested)The dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Giant malevolent skeletons | 5 |
| GoryōThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Vengeful ghosts, usually of martyrs | 5 |
| GuhinSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Anthropomorphic bird | 5 |
| GyūkiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Bull-headed monster | 5 |
| HakutakuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | talking beast which handed down knowledge on harmful spirits | 5 |
| HarionagoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | humanoid female with barbed, prehensile hair | 5 |
| HeikeganiAnimals (suggested)The dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | crabs with human-faced shells, the spirits of warriors killed in the Battle of Dan-no-ura | 5 |
| HiderigamiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | drought spirit | 5 |
| HihiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | baboon monster | 5 |
| HitodamaThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | ghosts of the newly dead, which take the form of fireballs | 5 |
| Hitotsume-kozōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | one-eyed childlike spirit | 5 |
| Hō-ōGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | rooster-swallow-fowl-snake-goose-tortoise-stag-fish hybrid | 5 |
| HōkōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | dog-like Chinese tree spirit | 5 |
| HotokeThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | deceased person | 5 |
| HyakumeGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | hundred-eyes creature | 5 |
| HyōsubeSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | hair-covered kappa | 5 |
| Ichimoku-nyūdōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | One-eyed kappa from Sado Island | 5 |
| Ichiren-BozuPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated prayer beads | 5 |
| IkiryōThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Can be considered a 'living ghost', as it is a person's spirit outside their body | 5 |
| IkuchiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Sea serpent that travels over boats in an arc while dripping oil | 5 |
| InugamiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Dog spirit | 5 |
| Ippon-dataraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | One-legged mountain spirit | 5 |
| IsonadeGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Shark-like sea monster | 5 |
| Ittan-momenPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Ghostly aerial phenomenon that attacks people | 5 |
| Iwana-bōzuAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Char which appeared as a Buddhist monk | 5 |
| JibakureiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit that protects a specific place | 5 |
| JikininkiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Corpse-eating ghost | 5 |
| JorōgumoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Spider woman | 5 |
| JotaiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated folding screen cloth | 5 |
| KahakuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Little people and water spirits | 5 |
| KamaitachiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Wind spirit | 5 |
| KamiDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Nature spirit | 5 |
| KamikiriSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Hair-cutting spirit | 5 |
| Kanbari-nyūdōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Bathroom spirit | 5 |
| KanboSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Drought spirit | 5 |
| KanedamaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Money spirit | 5 |
| KappaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Little people and water spirit | 5 |
| Karasu-tenguSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Tengu with a bird's bill | 5 |
| KaruraDivine and sacred beings (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Eagle-human hybrid | 5 |
| Kasa-obakePersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated parasol | 5 |
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How to cite: Fielder-White, Jonathan (2026). The Folklore Database. Citation version 1.261029.1 (29 October 2026). https://folkloredatabase.com.
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