Yōkai

Yōkai are a class of supernatural creatures and spirits from Japanese folklore, embodying a wide variety of beings with unique appearances and behaviors. They can range from mischievous and amusing to frightening and ominous. Yōkai often serve as symbolic representations of natural phenomena, societal fears, or moral lessons, and their stories have been passed down through generations through art, literature, and oral tradition. While sometimes depicted as monsters or demons, many yōkai are more nuanced, reflecting complex cultural beliefs about the unseen world and the unpredictable forces of nature.