Chinese Yokai

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.

The Chang of the Tiger

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He saw a little ghost, shaped like a seven or eight year old boy, without clothes.

Towards the end of the Kaiyuan Dynasty, Yuzhou experienced numerous cases of tigers attacking people. Despite setting up traps with mechanisms, none proved successful in catching a tiger.

One moonlit night, a man climbed a tree and patiently waited. He spotted a small ghost resembling a seven or eight-year-old boy, unclothed, strolling nearby. The boy wore turquoise-colored top and bottom clothes. 

The Crown Prince of Crows

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Wu, whose livelihood was on the fields along the Dan River(丹徒江), arrived at the river island in the winter of the eighteenth year of the Qianlong era(乾隆十八年).

Upon reaching the island, he began collecting rent and laid out the harvested rice in the open. A flock of crows gathered to feast on the rice, and Wu, grabbing a clump of soil, chased them away. He struck one crow mid-flight, and it fell to the ground mute for a moment before recovering and flying off. 

The Monster in the Study Room

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He turned around and saw a monster, about five feet tall, with tiger teeth and wolf eyes, fur like a monkey, and claws like an eagle or hawk, wearing leopard-skin pants.

During the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, Xu Jing and Zhang Xian studied together in the Yanyue Mountains. The study room had two rooms, one for each person, with a distance of one zhang between them. Xu Jing was in the west, Zhang Xian was in the east, and each had their own doors and windows. 

The Porcelain Doll Bride

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There was blood in its heart, as big as an egg.

Lu Zanshan had a porcelain doll bride at home. After a few years, his wife joked with him, “Let it be your concubine.” From then on, Lu Zanshan was always in a daze, and he often saw a woman lying in his tent. After a long time, he thought that it was the porcelain doll that was causing trouble, so he sent it to the temple. 

The Tiger’s Wife

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She saw they were all tigers, but she did not dare to say anything.

During the reign of Emperor Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty, a tiger took the daughter of a family as his wife and built a house in the mountains. The woman did not realize that her husband was a tiger even after two years.

One day, two guests came with wine and drank with her husband in the house. 

An Alcohol Friend

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Jiang finally found a friend with whom he could compete in drinking, but the secret that this friend kept shocked him.

Jiang Xiu was a tavern owner in Bingzhou. He loved his drink so much that he was seldom sober. He usually enjoyed drinking with others. However, the people of Bingzhou were wary of his excessive drinking.

When he invited them to drink with him, most would avoid him, leaving Jiang Xiu with few friends.