Oni: The Demon Enforcers
The Ogre of Japan
The Ogre of Japan
The Oni is the nightmare of the East. They are essentially Ogre-Demons. Standing taller than humans, they are mountains of muscle.
- Skin:Usually Red (Aka-oni) or Blue (Ao-oni).
- Head:Messy, wild hair and two sharp bull-horns.
- Clothes:A loincloth made of tiger skin.
- Weapon:The Kanabō—a massive iron club studded with spikes.
The Jailers
The Oni are the jailers of Hell (Jigoku). They serve the Great King Enma. When a wicked soul arrives in hell, the Oni are the ones who carry out the punishment. They are the enforcers of cosmic justice.
Earthly Terrors
But they don't stay in hell. They wander the earth, causing disasters. Some Oni are "transformed humans"—people who were so wicked in life that they became demons. They can also be spirits of disaster, responsible for plagues and earthquakes.
The Bean Throwing
Despite their immense strength, Oni have a weakness: Soybeans. Specifically, roasted soybeans. During the spring festival, families throw beans to drive away evil, shouting: "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" ("Demons out! Luck in!") The beans burn the Oni's skin like acid.
Keeper's Log: The Red Face
Why are they so muscular? Because they are the unstoppable storm. I have seen ancient statues of Oni guarding temple gates. They look angry. But they are guarding the temple from worse things. Sometimes, you need a monster to fight monsters. The next time you see a storm cloud that looks like a face... that's him. Carry your beans.
