Curious Ordinary

In Japanese folklore there is a tale about a powerful mountain witch called Momiji. The name Momiji translates as maple leaves, and the story takes place during Autumn, when the leaves begin to fall. The tale begins with the samurai Koremochi who was given the task of hunting and killing oni (demons). He was travelling through the mountains with his retainers when they came across a leaf-viewing party.

In Japanese mythology, Tsukuyomi is the Shinto moon god and brother/husband of the sun goddess Amaterasu. He is one of the three noble children' born from Izanagi, along with Amaterasu and Susanoo, after he had returned from yomi (the underworld) when he had tried to retrieve his dead wife, Izanami.

In Japanese folklore, yuki-onna (snow woman) is one of the most famous ghostly yokai. She is usually seen on snowy nights in the mountains, appearing as a beautiful woman with blue lips, ice cold skin so pale she is almost translucent, and long black hair laden with ice. Some say she has no feet and glides soundlessly across the snow wearing a white kimono.

One of the most famous Japanese ghost stories is Bancho Sarayashiki (The Dish Mansion at Bansho) which is the tale of Okiku. While there are many different versions of the story, they all centre around the death of a servant who returns as an onryo (vengeful ghost) to haunt those who mistreated and killed her.

In Japanese folklore unagi hime, which translates as eel princess, is a huge shapeshifting eel that takes the form of a beautiful woman. This yokai is believed to live at the bottom of deep ponds and lakes and acts as a guardian of both the lake and everything in it.

In Japanese folklore hiderigami is a yokai with Chinese origins that is believed to cause droughts. It is short and hairy with a human-ish shape, although it has only one arm, one leg and a single eye on top of its head. Living in remote mountainous areas, its body gives off so much heat that wherever it goes everything dries up and rain cannot fall, thus causing drought.

In Japanese folklore the okuri okami, also known as okuri ini, is a ghostly wolf or dog-like creature who haunts dark mountain passes, or roads through forests. The name translates as 'sending-off wolf or dog' or 'escorting dog' because this yokai trails closely behind travellers at night, appearing to be sending them on their way. In some cases it may and appear to be guiding them to their destination safely.

In Japanese folklore, ogama are giant toad yokai that are created when toads reach 1000 years of age. They live deep in forests and the larger they grow, the more dangerous they become. Ogama are accomplished shapeshifters, often disguising themselves in order to trick or attack humans and sometimes even taking the form of humans.

In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy was the daughter of Zeus and Leda. While there are several versions of the birth of Helen, in one Zeus takes the form of a swan and is pursued by an eagle. He took refuge with Leda and they mated. Leda then produced two eggs, one containing Helen and Clytemnestra and the other Castor and Pollux, thus producing two semi-divine and two mortal offspring.

In Japanese folklore the gods Fukurokuju and Jurojin are both members of the shichifukujin, the seven lucky gods of Japan. They are also both associated with wisdom and longevity. Jurojin is often depicted carrying a scroll on which is written either the life span of all living things or a record of good and bad deeds.

In Japanese mythology Uzume is the goddess of the dawn, Spring, happiness, revelry and the arts. When the sun goddess Amaterasu was hiding in a cave after a fight with her brother Susanoo, the other kami tried in vain to lure her out. Uzume decided to dance on an overturned tub near the entrance of the cave.

In Japan, kawauso are river otters, and like many other animals it is believed that once they reach old age they can develop supernatural powers and become yokai. They are renowned shape-shifters and can accurately mimic sounds, using this ability to play tricks on humans.