3 mythical creatures from Japanese folklore 

Japanese folklore is replete with a wide range of ghosts, monsters and supernatural beings. They are collectively referred to as youkais. Unlike their western counterparts, these mythical characters are known for having striking appearances: A few are half humans and half animals while others come with floating heads! Some of these youkais are benevolent and mischievous, whereas many are outright terrifying! They are frequently depicted in Japanese anime that you may have seen already. For example, the forest youkai appears in the film Princess Mononoke (1997), and a half-dog youkai appears in the anime series Inuyasha (1996). In Japanese folklore, there are many more magnificent supernatural beings. Here’s a glance at the most notable youkais. 

Tanuki: The raccoon dog 
Tanuki is a famous youkai who is actually a Japanese animal! In fact, it is a raccoon dog. Tanuki statues are found outside temples as they are thought to represent virtue and protect people from bad luck. Tanuki gained popularity in the Western world following the release of the Ghibli Studio’s movie Pom Poko (1994). In the movie, a group of Tanukis go on adventures and are portrayed as amusing and fun-loving. And that is actually correct! Tanukis, according to legend, are guardians of the natural world, but when they are not on duty, they play harmless tricks on humans. They can also transform into other animals, trees, rocks and inanimate household items! Their shapeshifting ability comes in handy when it comes to teasing a passing traveller. So, if you are in Japan and hear loud drum or flute sounds at night, don’t be alarmed. It could be a group of Tanukis playing a trick on you! 

Kitsune: The mythical fox 
In Japanese folklore, Kitsune is a magical creature with many supernatural abilities. It can shapeshift, and has the ability to see into the future. These supernatural entities are highly intelligent and grow a new tail every 100 years! Do they sound familiar? They appear in the popular manga and anime series Naruto (1999)! A well-known Kitsune is God Inari’s benevolent messenger, Zenko. Statues of Zenko can be found in shrines dedicated to God Inari.  

Kappa: Half human half reptile 
Kappas, also considered water gods, are unique inhabitants of lakes and rivers in Japan. They are green, scale-covered creatures with webbed toes and fingers. However, not all Kappas are the same. Some are built like adults, while others resemble children. Kappas are easily identified by their turtle shell on their back, beak for a mouth and bowl on their head. The liquid in the bowl is Kappa’s life force. If the liquid spills, the Kappa could die! Interestingly, they are big fans of the sport sumo! But don’t invite them to a game because they’re highly skilled players! If somehow you manage to defeat Kappa in a match, you can offer them cucumber. It’s their favourite food, and it may help them forget about their loss to you!