Akuma (folklore) - Biblioteka.sk

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An akuma (悪魔) is an evil spirit in Japanese folklore,^[1]^[2] sometimes described in English-language sources as a devil or demon.^[2]^[3] An alternative name for the akuma is ma (ま).^[4] Akuma is the name assigned to Satan in Japanese Christianity, and the Mara in Japanese Buddhism.

Mythology

The earliest uses of the word akuma are mainly found in Buddhist texts, but it also appears in literary works, especially those written during the Heian period (794–1185 AD).^[5] Later, following the introduction of Christianity to Japan, akuma became the customary way of translating the English word Satan.^[5]

An akuma is typically depicted as an entity with a fiery head and flaming eyes, and carrying a sword. It is said to be to be a harbinger of misfortune to those who see it.^[4]

There have been attestations of people traditionally associating mental illness with the presence of akuma.^[6]

References

^ Ashkenazi, Michael (2003). Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. p. 311. ISBN 1-57607-467-6.
^ ^a ^b Bane, Theresa (2016). Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-4766-6355-5.
^ Brinkley, Frank (1896). An Unabridged Japanese-English Dictionary. Sanseidō. p. 22.
^ ^a ^b Jones, Alison (1995). Larousse Dictionary of World Folklore. Larousse. p. 12. ISBN 0-7523-00-43-1.
^ ^a ^b Link, Luther (1995). Devil: A Mask Without a Face. London: Reaktion Books. p. 188. ISBN 0-948462-67-1.
^ Michele R. Davidson (2012). A Nurse's Guide to Women's Mental Health. New York: Springer Publishing Company, LLC. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-8261-7113-9.

v t e Japanese folklore
Folktales	Awa Tanuki Gassen Banchō Sarayashiki Bunbuku Chagama Hachikazuki Hanasaka Jiisan Hyakki Yagyō Issun-bōshi Kachi-kachi Yama Kasa Jizō Kintarō Kobutori Jiisan Momotarō Nezumi no Sumō Saru Kani Gassen Shita-kiri Suzume Taketori Monogatari Tawara Tōda Tsuru no Ongaeshi Urashima Tarō Oto-hime Uriko-hime Yotsuya Kaidan
Texts	Konjaku Monogatarishū Otogi-zōshi Uji Shūi Monogatari
Legendary creatures (Yōkai)	Abura-akago Abura-sumashi Aka Manto Akaname Akashita Akateko Akuma Amabie Amazake-babaa Amefurikozō Ameonna Amikiri Aoandon Aobōzu Aonyōbō Aosaginohi Ashinagatenaga Ayakashi Azukiarai Bake-kujira Baku Basan Binbōgami Chimimōryō Daidarabotchi Dodomeki Dragon Mizuchi Nure-onna Enenra Furaribi Fūri Futakuchi-onna Gagoze Gashadokuro Harionago Hibagon Hiderigami Hito-gitsune Hitotsume-kozō Hitotsume-nyūdō Hone-onna Hyōsube Ikuchi Inugami Ishinagenjo Isonade Jinmenju Jorōgumo Jubokko Kaibyō Bakeneko Nekomata Kamaitachi Kamikiri Kappa Yamawaro Kasha Keukegen Kijimuna Kinoko Kirin Kitsune Hakuzōsu Osaki Tamamo-no-Mae Kodama Komainu Konaki-jiji Korpokkur Koromodako Kotobuki Kuda-gitsune Kudan Mazoku Mikaribaba Mikoshi-nyūdō Miage-nyūdō Misaki Mokumokuren Mōryō Mujina Namazu Ningyo Noderabō Noppera-bō Nue Nuppeppō Nurarihyon Nurikabe Nyūdō-bōzu Obake Oboroguruma Ōkubi Ōmukade Oni Amanojaku Ibaraki-dōji Kijo/Onibaba Momiji Kurozuka Suzuka Gozen Yama-uba Kidōmaru Namahage Rashōmon no oni Shuten-dōji Ushi-oni Onibi Janjanbi Kitsunebi Shiranui Onikuma Ōnyūdō Orochi Otoroshi Ouni Raijū Rokurokubi Samebito Sankai Satori Sazae-oni Shachihoko Shidaidaka Shikigami Shinigami Shirime Shōjō Shōkera Sunekosuri Takaonna Tanuki Danzaburou-danuki Inugami Gyōbu Shibaemon-tanuki Yashima no Hage-tanuki Ten Tengu Sōjōbō Tennin Tenome Tesso Tōfu-kozō Tsuchigumo Tsuchinoko Tsukumogami Abumi-guchi Bakezōri Biwa-bokuboku Boroboroton Chōchin'obake Ittan-momen Kasa-obake Koto-furunushi Menreiki Ungaikyō Tsurara-onna Tsurubebi Tsurube-otoshi Ubagabi Ubume Umibōzu Umi zatō Uwan Waira Wanyūdō Yamabiko Yamajijii Yanari Yobuko Yōsei Yosuzume Yuki-onna Yume no seirei Yūrei/Mononoke Funayūrei Hanako-san Ikiryō Onryō Goryō Kuchisake-onna Shiryō Zashiki-warashi
Folklorists	Kunio Yanagita Keigo Seki Lafcadio Hearn Shigeru Mizuki Inoue Enryō

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