Hello! It is the blog How Unique Japan!
We always share Japanese features through this web page.
So, what will come today?
This time, we want to touch on the most famous Japanese monster (or demon), Oni.
You might have already seen it because of its popularity in entertainment (Anime, video games, musicals, whatever).
However, they have been in Japanese fairy tales and legends since ancient times.
Indeed. The tales of the monster are rather old.
In common, they are big with scary faces, crawls, and fangs, and sometimes their skin color is red.
And do not forget. The Oni have horns (a number of them are random) on their heads.
The form is exactly like a demon from European and Western legends.
The difference between them is the ending of the stories. Interestingly, some legends or old stories say that the Oni became servants of God (or God itself) after repaying their sins.
Not yet. There are also heartwarming fairy tales about the monsters. One said that a big Oni sacrificed himself to make a stable bridge over an intense river, and then the villagers could safely cross the river to the other side.
There are a few examples. It means Japan has uncountable numbers of the stories about the monsters still now going.
It seems like we accept them as beloved characters.
It differs from monsters from any other country because heroes or holy powers should defeat those villains in any fairy tale.
So, what is such a unique monster? And what history or story is behind it?
The souse of Oni
After all, they (or ideas) came from China when the ancient Japanese imported the advanced economies and government system with Chinese letters called Kanji in Japan around the 5th and 6th centuries.
Thus, we can express the monsters with one character (Kanji) from China. It is 鬼 (Oni).
In that country, it means the soul of a dead person that can cause any disasters. It is an illness and bad luck.
The ancient Chinese were scared of them. It is similar to the feeling that humans often fear the dark.
That was an acceptable idea for the old Japanese because the ancient Japanese already feared unknown things like they could not see anything in the darkness before the new culture came from China.
So, the Oni was not about the monster at first. Then, when did the idea transform?
Significant changes occurred during the Kamakura (1180 – 1336) and Muromachi (1338 – 1573) periods. During wartime, each general tried to conquer the other prefectures/lands. Thus, many defeated warriors (Bushi/Samurai) and generals were around Japan.
That was a problem because some of them united to be a gang of bandits.
So, the old Japanese (villagers or citizens) made them more threatening. They said the bandits were aggressive, like wild animals or evils/demons.
You know that such a rumor making people scared would be widespread quickly. During the process, people added the extra option – for example, they are big with threatening faces. They also have crows, fangs, and horns. So, they created Oni.
The creation was willingly acceptable for entertainment. The ancient theater/play writers utilized those monsters as the spice for stories like villains.
Monsters, specifically Oni, frequently appear in various fairy tales and plays. It is the reason for their recurring presence in these stories.
Additionally, the two main religions of Japan, Shintoism and Buddhism, have also used this character in legends and fairy tales to promote their teachings.
(If you are interested in how the Japanese successfully keep two different religions, please check this page. Religion in Japan.)
It should lead to one more question. How did the monster change its character from villain to hero-like?
Shintoism is the key
On the front page of this blog, we have written about the perspective of seeing our environment with Shintoism.
(If you have not seen it yet, please try this page!)
So, lessons in that religion said that each natural object, rock, river, and mountain, for instance, should have its soul.
Then, the ancient people admire those souls. If some objects are impressive in size or beauty, they could be gods.
Indeed, the Japanese respect nature (with awe or fear) as grace and even as a destroyer because natural phenomena are usually threatening.
Finally, the unique monster, Oni, takes this part.
So, the old Japanese also admired Oni with fear and respect. Thus, they sometimes became god-like after they expressed remorse for their sins. And even some legends or fairy tales said they sacrificed themselves for us.
Please look at those old drawings. They are the Fujin (Wind of God) and the Raijin (Thunder of Got). Both are similar to the monster.
It is no doubt. The unique perspective/approach to the world of the Japanese created the unique monster.
Next, let us tell you one of the famous legends about how one Oni became a God.
Legend of Kishimojin (Cannibal demon became a protector)
The legend will be one of the appropriate examples to explain how a demon became god-like.
Her name is Kishimojin. She is a female demon who was self-centered and gave birth to over 500 children. (Some legends said she had 10,000. Wow.)
You might have understood. Growing children is a tough duty for a mother.
The demon was no exception, required to stay healthy and have enough nutritional status to nurse them.
Her solution was cruel. She kidnapped other children and ATE THEM.
There is no doubt that people were scared of her.
Buddha also had consideration for her violence. Then, He decided to take her youngest child and hid him in a pot. (He was never intending to kill her child.)
She got an enormous grief. She searched for the baby throughout the world, even in heaven and hell. It was her first experience of such sadness.
Finally, Buddha appeared with the youngest child after she got tired at the edge of the real world. He criticized her and said,
“Look at yourself. You got a crazy sorrow when you lost your one baby although you already got over 500 children. However, you probably took only one precious from each family. What have you done!”
She was shocked and shivered for her sin and swore to Buddha she would never kidnap or eat the other children.
Then, she decided to protect all children for as long as the world exists. So, she became a great protector of all children, ensuring their healthy development.
One more fun fact.
She stopped being a carnivore. However, she still needed food.
So, Buddha game pomegranates instead of her previous food(?). That is why there are many statues of her holding the branches.
Why is that strange fruit? It is because the fruit contains several small berries. They became a symbol of blessing for children.
That is the legend about Kishimojin.
Surprisingly, the ancient Japanese took that legend seriously. So, they established her shrine in 1578.
The shrine, Kishimojin Shrine, was named after her. We can access it by tram from Otsuka Station, one station on the famous Yamanote Line.
The feature is the unique letter of the shrine.
Do you remember the Kanji character expressing the Japanese demon Oni? It was 鬼.
Look at the picture below. That is the letter about that god in the shrine.
Did you get it?
It has no protrusion (first writing stroke order) on top.
No bulge. Indeed.
She, Kishiboshin, became a great protector from a demon. She DROPPED THE HORN. It is why the capital, 鬼, does not have a top in the shrine.
It is a catchy legend.
However, such a famous god is not only one example of how someone (or his reflection in a mirror) transformed into the Oni.
Let us show you one more famous protector of PLAGUE.
He is Tsuno Daishi. (A High Monk with Horn)
Legend of Tsuno Daishi
His name was Ryougen (912 – 985), and he was a Japanese Buddhist. Before he died, Japan was experiencing the worst season of plague.
In 983, Ryougen started Zen in front of a big mirror to pray for the people who got the disease to recover.
Then, his reflection gradually changed into the Oni. He was horrible and scary because he had big horns on his head. The body also consisted of bones.
He was surprised (of course). But he ordered his disciples to copy/draw that monster.
They printed bills (talismans) from that drawing with wood blocks and put one on the doorway or gates. Strangely, the plague stopped attacking each villager who did it.
Besides, the disease was not the only one. The other disasters also prevented them.
The design (of the talisman) has not changed for nearly 1000 years. Incredible.
Since then, the villagers have named the monk Tsuno Daishi or Yaku Yoke (amulet) Daishi.
The bill is still inherited and sold to us.
To close
Thank you so much for reading this article, everyone! It is all today!
However, our blog has more tips about the uniqueness of Japan. Now we have them (articles) about Religion in Japan, the Edo era, foods, and the Japanese lifestyle.
Each one should also contain the historical and feature progress we have taken.
So, if you are interested in those with such historical tips, the blog would help boost your knowledge!
Common! Visit here (the front page)!
Let us say thanks regards (lol)! See you for the next article!
