TheAmanojaku (天邪鬼) orAmanjaku (天邪鬼) ("heavenlyevil spirit") is ademon-like creature inJapanese folklore, considered a type of wicked ogre-god (akukijin), small ogre (ko-oni), oryōkai.[1] The name is also written using the kanji(河伯) ("River Earl") or(海若) ("Sea Spirit").
InBuddhism, the Amanojaku is considered a symbol of human earthly desires (bonnō). It is depicted as a wicked demon being trampled underfoot by theFour Heavenly Kings or byVajrapani (Shūkongōshin). It also refers to the ogre-faced mask found on the abdomen of the armor ofBishamonten, one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
This iconography is derived from a Chinese water spirit known as the "Kahaku" (River Earl), represented by the ogre face. Furthermore, another Chinese water spirit known as "Kaijaku" is read in JapaneseKun'yomi as "Amanojaku". Consequently, these Chinese concepts syncretized with the indigenous Japanese Amanojaku, and the term came to refer to the class of demons trampled under the feet of deities. In this Buddhist context, where it is considered an opponent of teachings,[2] it is also called ajaki (邪鬼).
The indigenous Japanese Amanojaku originates from the deitiesAme-no-wakahiko (Heavenly Young Lad) and the goddessAmenosagume (Heavenly Spy Woman) found in theKojiki andNihon Shoki.
In the myth, Amenowakahiko was sent byAmaterasu to pacify theAshihara no Nakatsukuni (Central Land of Reed Plains). However, he forgot his duty, took the daughter ofŌkuninushi as his wife, and did not return for eight years. When a pheasant named Nakime was sent as a second messenger to find him, Amenowakahiko shot and killed the bird with an arrow upon the suggestion of Amenosagume, who was serving him. However, that arrow was shot back from the heavens, killing Amenowakahiko himself.
Amenosagume, as her name implies, was ashamanistic existence capable of exploring the movements of heaven, the future, and human hearts. This legend later evolved into the concept of a small demon who reads people's hearts and plays pranks in opposition to them. Originally, Amenosagume was not a villain, but because she told tales to Amenowakahiko, she came to be said to be a demon who hinders heaven—an "Amanojaku" (Heavenly Evil Spirit). Furthermore, because "Amenowakahiko" is also written as "天若彦" or "天若日子" (incorporating the characterjaku/waka), it is thought that this figure syncretized with the Buddhist/Chinese "Kaijaku" (海若).
In folk tales, the Amanojaku is described as a being with an extremely contrary nature: If it were ordered something, it would do the opposite. It is generally considered a yōkai that guesses the human heart and teases people by mimicking their words,[5] provoking a person's darkest desires and instigating them into perpetrating wicked deeds.[2] It is usually depicted as a kind of smalloni. However, traditions vary significantly by region.
Giants: InHakone,Kanagawa Prefecture andIzu,Shizuoka Prefecture, the Amanojaku is handed down as agiant-like being. Legend states that an Amanojaku once tried to break downMount Fuji but failed, and the soil that spilled out during the attempt becameIzu Oshima. InChūō Town (nowMisaki),Kume District,Okayama Prefecture, an Amanojaku piled up stones to makeMount Futakami higher, but failed because dawn broke before it was finished. InTaka District,Hyōgo Prefecture, an Amanojaku is said to have tried to build a bridge between mountains but similarly failed. In these regions, places where natural stones are scattered on mountaintops orstone walls of unknown origin are attributed to the work of Amanojaku.[4]
Babysitting: A superstition inHiraka District (nowYokote), Akita, held that the Amanojaku would babysit infants and keep them from crying.[8]
Nagano: In a place called "Kappou" deep in Koumi,Minamisaku District,Nagano Prefecture, there lived an Amanojaku. It had a huge body, and there are traces of it crossing a mountain in one go and resting its hand-pail. Footprints of the Amanojaku also remain in the vicinity.[9]
One of theamanojaku's best known appearances is in thefairytaleUriko-hime (瓜子姫; "melon princess"),[2] in which a girl miraculously born from amelon is doted upon by an elderly couple. They shelter her from the outside world, and she naively lets theamanojaku inside one day, where it kidnaps or devours her, and sometimes impersonates her by wearing herflayed skin.[2]
Derived from the definition of a "small demon who mimics people's hearts and plays pranks," the term has evolved in modern times. It is now used to refer to a "twisted person" or a "contrarian" who speaks or acts in opposition to the thoughts and actions of others (or the majority).[10]
This personality trait is often emphasized when the Amanojaku is adapted as a character in visual media. For example, in theTokusatsu productionGuruguru Medaman, the character appears as one who invites conflict among friends. InNinja Sentai Kakuranger, the Amanojaku appears as a villain who makes people mean-spirited and causes disturbances.[11]
In the animeGhost Stories, an amanojaku is accidentally sealed inside the protagonist's pet cat in the first episode. It becomes part of the main cast for the rest of the series.
In the spin-offZUN made for a Comic-con in Japan,Gold Rush, Seija Kijin is also the protagonist. However, ZUN never released the game to the public.
In the gameShin Megami Tensei, an amanojaku kills and eats the protagonist's mother and impersonates her.
There is a Tokyo-based taiko group called "Taiko Shūdan Amanojaku".
In the movie "Ten Nights of Dreams" based on Natsume Soseki's novel, there is an Amanojaku that provokes the woman in the Fifth Night.
In the musical series "The Story of the Kitsune and the Demon"/"狐と鬼の話" (commonly referred to as "The Onibi series") by Japanese music producer - MASA Works DESIGN- there is a character named Shikyou (死凶) who is an Amanojaku that serves as the series antagonist.
In the animeDororo the main characters encounter the Amanojaku in episode 14 of the1969 series and episode 19 of the2019 series.
In the book series "Shadow of the Fox" by Julie Kagawa, amanjaku are tiny demons fighting against the main protagonists.
In Kamen Rider Saber web-movie Kamen Rider Saber Spin-off: Kamen Rider Sabela & Kamen Rider Durendal, the main antagonist Rui Mitarai assume a Megid form called Amanojaku Megid, which is based on Amanojaku itself.
In the movieMy_Oni_Girl the Japanese title is translated as "I like it but I don't like it Amanojaku"
In theYu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, there is a Trap Card called "Amanojaku's Curse" (known as Reverse Trap in international markets). It has the effect of swapping ATK/DEF gains on monsters, in reference to the Amanojaku's contradictory nature.
