In the rich tapestry of Eastern folklore, the introduction of Chinese Yokai, known as Yaoguai(妖怪), weaves a distinct narrative when compared to their Japanese counterparts, the Yokai. While sharing a semblance in their supernatural essence, these entities diverge in several intriguing facets.
Linguistically, the disparity lies in the terms themselves: “Yokai” denotes an enigmatic apparition in Japan, while “Yaoguai” embodies an enticing demon in China.
Visually, the contrast is stark; Japanese Yokai exhibit whimsical, often cartoonish forms, while Chinese Yaoguai adopt a more somber, realistic guise and are often associated with human possession. Culturally, Yokai are entrenched in Japanese society, familiar to many, while Yaoguai’s presence remains less widespread beyond China’s borders.
Moreover, their roles diverge; Yokai lean towards mischievousness but benign intent, even offering protection, whereas Yaoguai are perceived as malevolent, posing threats to human safety.
Within these distinctions lies a tapestry of supernatural lore, highlighting the nuanced variations between these captivating entities in their respective cultural landscapes.
In the mountains, there is a bird that looks like an owl. It has a human face, four eyes, and ears. Its name is 顒(Yu). The sound it makes is like it is calling its own name. Whenever it appears, there will be a drought in the world.
又東四百裏，曰令丘之山，無草木，多火。其南有谷焉，曰中谷，條風自是出。有鳥焉，其狀如梟，人面四目而有耳，其名曰顒，其鳴自號也，見則天下大旱。
《山海經 南次三經》
There is a bird that looks like a hawk, but it has human hands. Its voice sounds like the buzzing of a fly. Its name is 鴸(Zhu). It calls out, as if it is calling its own name. Wherever this bird appears, many people in that county will be exiled.
有鳥焉，其狀如鴟而人手，其音如痺，其名曰鴸，其鳴自號也，見則其縣多放士。
《山海經 南次二經》
In the mountains, there is a mythical creature that looks like a water bird. It has a white head, three legs, and a human face. Its name is 瞿如(Quru). The sound it makes is like it is calling its own name.
東五百裏，曰禱過之山，其上多金玉，其下多犀、兕，多象。有鳥焉，其狀如䴔而白首、三足、人面，其名曰瞿如，其鳴自號也。
《山海經 南次三經》
蠪蛭(Longzhi) lives in the mountains. It has a body similar to a fox, with nine tails, nine heads, and tiger claws. Its cry sounds like a baby crying, and it can eat people.
又南五百裏，曰鳧麗之山，其上多金玉，其下多箴石。有獸焉，其狀如狐而九尾、九首、虎爪，名曰蠪蛭，其音如嬰兒，是食人。
《山海經 東次二經》
𝕏𝕚𝕖 [犭颉]Xie: Its appearance is like that of a hunting dog with scales, and its fur is like a pig’s mane.
又西一百二十裏，曰厘山，其陽多玉，其陰多蒐。有獸焉，其狀如牛，蒼身，其音如嬰兒，是食人，其名曰犀渠。滽滽之水出焉，而南流註於伊水。有獸焉，名曰[犭頡(左右)]，其狀如獳犬而有鱗，其毛如彘鬣。
《山海經 中次四經》
In the country of Lin(林氏國), there lived a rare beast. It was as big as a tiger, with a colorful body and a tail longer than its body. The beast was named Zouwu(騶虞), and riding it could allow one to travel a thousand miles in a day.
林氏國有珍獸，大若虎，五采畢具，尾長於身，名曰騶虞(騶吾)，乘之日行千裏。
《山海經 海內北經》
[向鳥][付鳥](Changfu) is a bird that lives in the mountains. It looks like a chicken, but it has three heads, six eyes, six legs, and three wings. If a person eats its meat, they will no longer want to sleep.
「又東三百裏，曰基山，其陽多玉，其陰多怪木。有獸焉，其狀如羊，九尾四耳，其目在背，其名曰猼，佩之不畏。有鳥焉，其狀如雞而三首、六目、六足、三翼，其名曰[向鳥(左右)][付鳥(左右)]，食之無臥。」 ～
《山海經 南山一經》
There was a man named Mao Ba(茅八) who, in his youth, went to Jiangxi to trade paper. In the deep mountains of Jiangxi, there were many paper mills. The people in the mills would close the doors as the sun set and warned Mao Ba not to go out, telling him, ‘There are many strange things in the mountains, not just ordinary tigers and wolves.’
One night, the moonlight was very bright, and Mao Ba couldn’t sleep.
A scholar named Xie from Wuyuan(婺源) was studying on Mount Zhanggong(張公山). One morning, he heard the chirping of birds in the woods, resembling the cries of parrots. Upon approaching, he discovered a beautiful woman, about five inches tall, naked and without feathers, her entire body pure white like jade. Between her eyebrows, there was a look of sadness. Xie captured her and brought her home. Surprisingly, the woman showed no sign of fear.
A man named Zhang from Hezhou traveled to Yangzhou(揚州) and stayed at the Xingjiao Temple(興教寺). The monks’ quarters in the temple were haunted by a fox immortal, so no one dared to stay there. Zhang, with his carefree personality, decided to reside in the monk’s room.
Not long after Zhang moved in, an old man claiming to be Wu Gangzi(吳剛子) came to visit. After exchanging greetings with a bow, they began to converse.
In Hangzhou, there was a scholar named Sun who, on a summer night, was reading in his study. He felt something crawling on his forehead and, upon brushing it with his hand, saw countless strands of white beard hanging down from the plaque on the ceiling. On the plaque was a large face, about the size of a seven-stone jar, with eyebrows and eyes like an ordinary person, smiling and looking down.
