[One of the Three Great Yokai] Oni [Yokai Encyclopedia]

 What is a Oni?

"Oni" is the Japanese name for demons.

Isn't it the origin of Japan?

The demon was originally called "隠（on）" and was an invisible supernatural being.
"隠（on）" is a Chinese character that means to hide.
As Chinese characters were imported from China, the word "鬼（oni）", which means ghost, came to be used.

Origin regression? "Kimetu no Yaiba"

"鬼（Oni）", which came from China with Chinese characters, became a general term for "bad things" by mixing with Japanese "隠（on）".
After that, the number of powerfully named demons increased, and the image of the current Japanese demons with horns and tiger pants was created.
By the way, many demons will appear in the anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" which has become very popular in recent years.
By the way, many demons will appear in the anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" (English name: Demon Slayer), which has become very popular in Japan in recent years.
Since it was originally a human being, it has various appearances and abilities, and it has the current horns, which is completely different from the image of a demon wearing tiger pants.
I have a strong impression as a general term for the first "bad things".
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From the anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba"

The appearance of the Japanese "demon"

The Japanese "demon" has horns and is an image of wearing tiger pants.
From here, I will introduce how the understanding was created.
In ancient Japan, directions and times were represented by the zodiac signs.
At that time, the direction and time of "Ushi（Ox）" and "Tora（Tiger）" were called "Kimon（Demon Gate）" and were regarded as "bad things".
Therefore, the horn and tora pants became a trademark of the demon.
Therefore, Ox's horn and Tora's pants became the Oni's trademark.
In addition, there is "Momotaro" as a famous story of exterminating Oni.
The servants "dog", "pheasant (bird)", and "monkey" are said to have participated in the demon extermination because they are animals on the other side of the demon gate.

summary

・A combination of "鬼（Oni）", which means a Chinese ghost, and "隠（On）", a supernatural being.
・Originally a general term for "bad things"
・The figure is deeply related to the zodiac.
鬼（Oni）＝daemon
隠（On）＝Hidden

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