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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shiro-bōzuSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | White, faceless spirit | 5 |
| ShirouneriPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Animated mosquito netting or dust cloth | 5 |
| ShiryōThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit of a dead person | 5 |
| ShisaGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Lion-dog hybrid | 5 |
| ShōjōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Red-haired sea-sprites who love alcohol | 5 |
| ShōkeraSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Creature that peers in through skylights | 5 |
| ShunobanSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Red-faced ghoul | 5 |
| Shuten-dōjiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ruler of the Oni | 5 |
| Sodehiki-kozōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Invisible spirit which pulls on sleeves | 5 |
| SōgenbiThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Fiery ghost of an oil-stealing monk | 5 |
| SoragamiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Ritual disciplinary demon | 5 |
| Soraki-gaeshiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Sound of trees being cut down, when later none seem to have been cut | 5 |
| SorobanbōzuThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghost with an abacus | 5 |
| SōtangitsuneSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Fox spirit from Kyoto | 5 |
| Sunakake-babaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Sand-throwing hag | 5 |
| SunekosuriSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Small dog- or cat-like creature that rubs against a person's legs at night | 5 |
| SuzakuDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Japanese version of the Chinese Vermillion Bird | 5 |
| TaimatsumaruSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Tengu surrounded in demonic fire | 5 |
| Taka-onnaSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Female spirit which can stretch itself to peer into the second story of a building | 5 |
| TantankororinPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Unharvested persimmon which becomes a monster | 5 |
| TanukiAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Shapeshifting raccoon dog | 5 |
| Tatami-tatakiSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Poltergeist that hits the tatami mats at night | 5 |
| Te-no-meThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghost of a blind man, with his eyes on his hands | 5 |
| Teke TekeThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Vengeful spirit of a slain schoolgirl with a half upper-torso body | 5 |
| TenguSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Anthropomorphic bird | 5 |
| TenninDivine and sacred beings (suggested) | Japanese | Angelic humanoid | 5 |
| Tōfu-kozōSpirits and otherworld peoples (suggested) | Japanese | Spirit child carrying a block of tofu | 5 |
| Toire-no-HanakosanThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghost who lurks in grade school restroom stalls | 5 |
| TōtetsuGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Greed spirit | 5 |
| TsuchigumoAnimals (suggested)Giants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Shapeshifting, giant spider | 5 |
| TsuchinokoAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Plump snake-like creature | 5 |
| TsukumogamiPersonified nature and animated objects (suggested) | Japanese | Inanimate object that becomes animated after existing for 100 years | 5 |
| Tsurara-onna | Japanese | Icicle woman | 5 |
| Tsurube-otoshiGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Monster which drops or lowers a bucket from the top of a tree to catch people | 5 |
| UbumeThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghosts of women who died in childbirth | 5 |
| Uma-no-ashiAnimals (suggested) | Japanese | Horse's leg which dangles from a tree and kicks passersby | 5 |
| Umi-nyōbōGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Female sea monster who steals fish | 5 |
| UmibōzuThe dead and disembodied souls (suggested) | Japanese | Ghost of drowned priest | 5 |
| Ungaikyō | Japanese | Animated mirror | 5 |
| Ushi-oniGiants, monsters and fabulous creatures (suggested) | Japanese | Bull-headed monster | 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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