Japanese Ghosts and Spirits

Funayurei

Funayūrei (literally "ship ghosts") are the ghosts of mariners who died at sea. They approach ships at sea and ask for a ladle. If they are given the ladle they will scoop water into the ship so effectively that the ship will sink.



Zashiki-Warashi

Zashiki-warashi are child ghosts who dwell in large well maintained houses. They are mischievous and may play small tricks on the living. However, seeing a zashiki-warashi or having one in your house is considered very lucky and can bring great fortunes.



Seductress Ghost


Seductress Ghost is Japanese folklore is full of erotic stories of ghosts both male and female who come back to the world to seduce the living

Japanese Ghosts and Spirits

Kubikajiri

Kubikajiri is a head eating ghost that lives in graveyards and as is seen late at night searching for its head. It feasts on the heads of the living and the dead alike. One can smell the creature before it is seen because it smells of fresh blood.



Onryo


Onryo are female ghosts that were abused or neglected by their lovers. They dwell in the physical world after death seeking vengeance. Powerless in life they become strong in death. Strangely enough they rarely harm the lovers who vexed them.





Ubume



Ubume
Women that died in childbirth or without making sure their children are provided for in life. The power of their love allows them to stay in the physical world. Usually they come back to help their child in a time of need or leave gifts for children that later turn into dead leaves.

Japanese Ghosts and Spirits

Umi-Bozu

Umi-bozu are giant black bulbous beings that live in the sea. Sometimes they have glowing eyes and a beak, and other times they have no facial features at all. To survive an umi-bōzu encounter at sea, one should remain quiet and look in the opposite direction. Speaking or looking at the creature may send it into a rage — and that usually ends in tragedy.




Bakechochin


Bakechochin is a haunted lantern. The lantern is believed to have eyes and a long tongue that protrudes from its mouth. It serves as a home for the ghosts of people who are earth bound because they died with hatred in their hearts. Once the lantern is lit, the ghost will jump from the inside of the lantern and attack the person(s) responsible for lighting the lantern.




Gashadokuro



Gashadokuro is a ghost of people who have starved to death. It appears as a skeleton 15 times taller than a regular person and is made up of the bones of the starved dead. After midnight it will announce its present with a ringing noise that people hear in their ears. If you do not flee quickly enough it will bite off your head.