Obsolete Japanese Mythology, Folklore, Yokai, and History

[Dolce]

(I went back 5 pages and couldn't find a thread like this so...)

A lot of anime, shows, and the like sometimes draw inspiration from mythology, history, folklore, and old tales. What are your favorite legendary figures from Japan that are used in today's media? Don't be afraid to share some examples as well!

Some of my faves:

Tamao-No-Mae: A tale of a nine tailed fox that tries to take the throne from Emperor Konoe by making him ill and disguising herself as a beautiful woman. But is discovered and killed, eventually becoming the killing stone (Sessho-seki), and the spirit (Hoji) who haunts it.

Media she's featured in: Omamori Himari, Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito, and Kanokon

My thoughts: I find it to be an eerie tale, which is why I like it so much.

Konohana-Sakuyahime: Konohana Sakuya was the daughter of the mountain god Ouyamatsumi. When she became Ninigi-no-Mikoto's wife and got pregnant on the first night of their marriage, he accused her of infidelity. She stood in a burning hut, claiming that the fire would not touch her if she had been faithful, and emerged unscathed.
(Description comes from the Shin Megami Tensei Wikia).

Media she's featured in: Persona 4 Series

My thoughts: She stood her ground, which was admirable.

Tengu: Buddhism long held that the tengu were disruptive demons and harbingers of war. Their image gradually softened, however, into one of protective, if still dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forests.
(Straight from the wiki. )

Media they're featured in: Pokemon, Touhou, xxxHolic

My thoughts: I've always loved their designs and depictions in stories.

Zashiki-Warashi: Child like in nature, and is said to bring good luck if it inhabits your residence. Especially if cared for properly like one would a child.

Media they're featured in: xxxHolic

My thoughts: I want one in my own home!

There's definitely more figures/creatures/stories I like (Nekomata, Tsuchinoko, Futakuchi-Onna, Yuki-Onna), but this post is long enough as is.

 

[Flaze]

All right, I'll add in a few of my own.

Nurarihyon: a yokai that usually takes up the form of an old man in order to sneak into houses and eat the tenants food and drink their tea, they're noted for their potruding heads. They are also said to be the leaders of Hyakky Yakos which is reffered to as a group of 100 gathered yokai.

Media it's featured in: Nurarihyon no Mago (though only one of the Nurarihyon shown appear as an old man)

My thoughts on it: It's general appearance is pretty weird and not very impressive but it's still pretty cool in my opinion.

Yuki-Onna: Essentially portrayed as a snow woman this yokai has many different stories in regards to its origins and what it does but the general consensus is that it's a creature that appears to travelers lost in snow mountains as a mysterious and alluring woman, only to them lure them in and eat them.

Media she's featured in: Nurarihyon no Mago, Rosario Vampire, Yu Yu Hakusho, Inuyasha, Cardcaptor Sakura, Pokemon

My thoughts on it: this one is actually one of my favorite tales just cause of the general creepiness of it but the characters that usually appear as yuki onnas in series tend to be some of my faves, they always control ice but they all have varying personalities and some can be charming and funny or downright cute.

 

[Juliko]

I'm taking a class on Japanese yokai and supernatural creatures! We're learning about kitsune, onmyouji, etc.

 

[Tenjiku]

My favorite Japanese myth has to be about the rabbit on the moon, my favorite Japanese games Touhou series has a few moon rabbits in it as well as a whole bunch of other yokai and myths.