Youkai

## Origins

### Summary

Classification of monsters, daimons, spirits, and faeries featured in "eastern" myths

### Origins

Japanese Mythology

**Youkai** (妖怪), also called **Ayakashi** or **Mononoke**, is the term used to refer to the collective groups of monsters, daimons, spirits, and faeries featured in Asian mythologies.

## Overview

***Yōkai*** (妖怪, "strange apparition") are a class of supernatural entities and spirits in Japanese folklore. The word *yōkai* is composed of the kanji for "attractive; calamity" and "apparition; mystery; suspicious." *Yōkai* are also referred to as ***ayakashi*** (あやかし), ***mononoke*** (物の怪) or ***mamono*** (魔物). *Yokai* are not literally demons in the Western sense of the word, but are instead spirits and entities, whose behaviour can range from malevolent or mischievous to friendly, fortuitous, or helpful to humans.

*Yōkai* often have animal features (such as the *kappa*, depicted as appearing similar to a turtle, and the *tengu*, commonly depicted with wings), but may also appear humanoid in appearance, such as the *kuchisake-onna*. Some *yōkai* resemble inanimate objects (such as the *tsukumogami*), while others have no discernible shape. *Yōkai* are typically described as having spiritual or supernatural abilities, with shapeshifting being the most common trait associated with them. *Yōkai* that shapeshift are known as *bakemono* (化け物) or *obake* (お化け).

Japanese folklorists and historians explain *yōkai* as personifications of "supernatural or unaccountable phenomena to their informants." In the Edo period, many artists, such as Toriyama Sekien, invented new *yōkai* by taking inspiration from folk tales or purely from their own imagination. Today, several such *yōkai* (such as the *amikiri*) are mistaken to originate in more traditional folklore.

## Summary

The word "*Youkai*" is considered a term used to refer to all species of monsters, daimons, spirits, and faeries who featured in Asian mythologies. As such, all supernatural species that originated in the "Eastern world" - including East and South-East Asia, the Greater Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia - can all be considered *youkai*.

However, as time went on, the term became closely associated with Japan, to the point where it started to become synonymous with Japanese folklore and traditions. Because of this, many non-Japanese *youkai* distanced themselves from the term and used different names to call themselves, though not all *youkai* care enough to do this. The most notable of the differently named *youkai* are the Chinese *youkai*, who called themselves ***yaoguai*** (妖怪, Yāoguài) to differentiate them from their Japanese brethren.

### *Daiyoukai*

***Daiyoukai*** (大妖怪) is a term used to refer to *youkai* of immense intelligence and authority in comparison to the common *youkai*, whose power can range from Ultimate-class to God-class. Many *daiyoukai* were once feudal rulers over vast territories hidden beneath bounded fields, commanded armies of lesser *youkai*, and constantly waged war against each other to gain more power.

## Factions

### Japanese Factions

#### Progressive Faction

**Progressive Faction**, also called the **West Youkai Faction**, is the faction of *youkai* led by Yasaka Hakushin, a *kitsune*. Their main base is situated in Kyoto - as such, many also called them the **Kyoto Faction** - though their influence covers the entire western part of Japan. Members of this faction wish to re-open Japan's moonlit world to the outside in hopes of seeking peace and prosperity after the Fourth Holy War, as well as uniting all *youkai* groups in the country to create a unified Japan.

#### Conservative Faction

**Conservative Faction**, also called the **East Youkai Faction**, is the faction of *youkai* led by Yoshiiku Nura, a *nurarihyon*. Their main base is situated in the Kanto region - as such, many also called them the **Kanto Faction** - though their influence covers the entire eastern part of Japan. Members of this faction are traditionalists who wish to continue the isolation of Japan's moonlit world in fear of outsiders ruining Japanese traditions and culture. They are also famous for their yearly parade, known to mundanes as the *Hyakki Yagyō* led by the Nura Clan.

## Trivia

* The word "*youkai*" means "strange apparition".
* Most of them hold hostile feelings against westerners.
* In many cultures, *youkai* are considered fallen gods and immortals.
* Holy energy and the [Light] element are the weaknesses of many *youkai*.
* Many East and South-East Asian *youkai* factions are affiliated with the Celestial Bureaucracy.
* Due to their associations with the Three Factions, *youkai* in Central Asia and the Great Middle East are often not considered *true youkai* by other *youkai* groups.