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
231 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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231 matching entries
| Creature | Tradition | Description | Map locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abumi-guchiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Furry creature from an animated stirrup, usually from a mounted soldier who fell in battle | 5 |
| Abura-sumashiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Creature from a mountain pass in Kumamoto Prefecture. | 5 |
| AkatekoGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Tree-dwelling monster. | 5 |
| AkkiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Large, grotesque humanoid. | 5 |
| AkumaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Evil spirit or devil | 5 |
| Akurojin-no-hiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Ghostly flame which causes disease. | 5 |
| AmaburakosagiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ritual disciplinary demon from Shikoku. | 5 |
| AmamehagiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ritual disciplinary demon from Hokuriku. | 5 |
| AmanojakuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Small demon. | 5 |
| Amazake-babaaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Disease-causing hag. | 5 |
| AmorōnaguDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Tennyo from the island of Amami Ōshima. | 5 |
| AnmoSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ritual disciplinary demon from Iwate Prefecture. | 5 |
| AobōzuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Blue monk who kidnaps children. | 5 |
| Arikura-no-babaHumans (suggested) | Japanese | Old woman with magical powers. | 5 |
| Ashi-magariSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Invisible tendril that impedes movement. | 5 |
| AsobibiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Spectral fire from Kōchi Prefecture. | 5 |
| Ato-oi-kozōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Invisible spirit that follows people. | 5 |
| AyakashiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Sea serpent that travels over boats in an arc while dripping oil. | 5 |
| Ayakashi-no-ayashibiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Spectral fire from Ishikawa Prefecture. | 5 |
| Azukiarai/AzukitogiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit that washes azuki beans along riversides. | 5 |
| AzukibabaaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Bean-grinding hag who devours people. | 5 |
| 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 |
| ChimimōryōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Chinese/Japanese | Spirits of mountains and rivers | 6 |
| Chōchin'obakePersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated paper lantern | 5 |
| DaidarabotchiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Giant responsible for creating many geographical features in Japan | 5 |
| Daitengu | Japanese | Most powerful class of tengu, each of whom lives on a separate mountain | 5 |
| Datsue-baHumans (suggested) | Japanese | Old woman who steals clothes from the souls of the dead | 5 |
| EnenraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Smoke spirit | 5 |
| Enkō | Japanese | Kappa of Shikoku and western Honshū | 5 |
| FunayūreiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghosts of people who drowned at sea | 5 |
| Furu-utsubo | Japanese | Animated jar | 5 |
| Futakuchi-onna | Japanese | Woman with a second mouth on the back of her head | 5 |
| GakiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghosts of especially greedy people | 5 |
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