Origin: Japanese mythology
Type: supernatural beings
Tengu are usually depicted as birds of prey with human characteristics. Sometime in the 13th century, they began to be associated with the Yamabushi, and were portrayed wearing the small black cap and sash worn by members.
The moral nature of Tengu is ambiguous and has changed over time. Once considered to be troublesome, they were later described as being protectors of Buddhist teachings.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Kannon is said to manifest in 33 different forms, one sacred being and 32 manifestations suited to addressing the needs of those who seek help. Some are male and female, others have multiple arms and heads. Some even ride mythic beasts.
One of the more well known forms is Senju Kannon, pictured above. It is a male being with 1,000 arms, usually shown with two hands folded in prayer. Each 40 arms stands for the 23 Buddhist worlds, giving a total of 1,000.
Origin: Japan
Kami are spirits in the Shinto faith. It is said that there are eight million Kami; eight million implying an infinite number. Some are similar to humans in appearance, while others are nature spirits that represent the energy of a mountain or a stream. Some Kami may even be ancestors of the royal family and even occupations have a patron Kami.
Pictured above is Amaterasu, one of the more well known Kami.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Type: Eel
Jinshin-Uwo is so huge that it carries Japan on its back. In some versions, instead of an eel it is a catfish. To keep Japan from falling off its back, a keystone (kaname ishi) located in a Shinto temple secures it. Whenever the giant eel or catfish lashes its tail, an earthquake or tsunami shakes the islands.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Inari is the god (Kami) of agriculture, fertility and success. It is a shape-shifter, and appears in many forms, such as a man, woman, androgynous being, a white fox, dragon, or a spider. Foxes act as Inari’s messengers, and can also be its mount. Shrines for Inari are usually guarded by two white fox statues wearing red bibs. Offerings were of rice, sake, tofu, and other foods for the messengers, in hope to get Inari’s attention.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Type: Dragon god
Habitat: Underwater Palace
Ryujin is an enormouse being with a large mouth, three claws on each foot, and has the power to transform into a human. He is often honored as the god of the sea, or a personification of the power of the ocean.
His palace is a magical building built out of red and white coral. His servants are sea turtles, fishes and jellyfish. From here, he controls the tides using magical tide jewels.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Type: Shape-shifting spider demon
Tsuchigumo takes the form of a large, hairy ground spider. He is an expert at creating illusions to draw people into his web, and appears in several tales about a legendary hero named Raiko.
In one tale, Raiko encounters a beautiful woman, who is really Tsuchigumo in disguise. In another tale, Raiko is suffering from illness, and a monk who prays for him is Tsuchigumo. In both stories, Raiko fights and defeats the shape shifter.
Origin: Japanese mythology
Type: Dragon
Yamata-no-Orochi, the Serpent of Koshi, was an evil dragon with cherry red eyes, eight heads, eight tails and eight claws on each foot. The beast ate seven sisters, leaving the eighth sister overcome with grief. In her sadness she attracted the storm god Susano, who transformed her into a comb and placed it in his hair for safe keeping. He waited for the dragon next to a vat of sake and once the dragon drank the alcohol and got drunk, Susano slashed it to death.
