Oni

Oni, Oni & Demons

馬面 (Horse-Faced Demon)

Ma Mian: The Horse-Faced Guardian of the Afterlife In the shadowed realms of East Asian mythology, few figures strike as much fear and respect into the hearts of mortals as the guardians of the Underworld. While dragons and phoenixes dominate the skies, the entrance to the afterlife is guarded by a fearsome duo: Ox-Head and […]

Oni, Oni & Demons

馬鬼 (Uma-oni)

Unveiling Uma-oni: The Horse-Headed Demon of Japanese Folklore When travelers think of Japanese mythology, images of mischievous tanuki or the elusive kappa often come to mind. However, dig a little deeper into the Buddhist texts and local folklore that permeate the Japanese archipelago, and you will find creatures far more terrifying. Among the most imposing

Oni, Oni & Demons

青鬼 (Blue Oni)

The Blue Oni: Japan’s Legend of Self-Sacrifice When travelers visit Japan, they are often greeted by the fearsome visage of the Oni—horned ogres wielding iron clubs, standing guard at temple gates or depicted in vibrant festival masks. While these demons are often portrayed as villains to be driven away, the story of the Blue Oni

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