Yokais, Spirits, and Beings

Kami was formed through Aministic beliefs pre-Heian Era. Kami is essentially just “God” which brings both good and evil, and is believed to exist throughout everything in our daily lives

The first records of spirits, deities, and Yokais [Nihon Shoki and Kojiki] were finished in the Heian era (794-1185)

Taken from the influence of China, specifically Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, spirits of people who died and going to the afterlife called “Gui”, adapted into “Oni” in Japan. Meaning “demons” or “ogre”

While Gui could be both good and evil, Oni is only perceived as evil in Japan, and quickly developed to the concept of a “godlike Oni”, basically the Japanese’s version of the devil from the bible.

Mononoke were often called Oni during these times too.

Mononoke are essentially spirits that are born through grudge, pent-up emotions, regardless of whether the people who conjured them are alive or dead. They are believed to cause diseases and bring misfortune.

Mononoke became the based for the creation of “Tatari”(Curses) and “Onryo”(vengeful spirits [this was the premise of Ghost of Yotei], during the Heian era.

Shikigamis (around 1000 and beyond) are “spirits” or “cursed spirits” that can be conjured up through the practice of Onmyodo (The way of yin and yang) by a Onmyoji (Master of Yin and Yang). Shikigamis can be used for spying, stealing, and enemy tracking, but can also gain personal consciousness and kill their own master if they’re out of control. Basically Megumi (Potential man) from Jutjutsu Kaisen