I am a staunch Christian who takes a keen interest in unseen entities of the spiritual world. Recently, I came across an article in a newspaper discussing the Yokai, of ancient Japanese folklore.
I was intrigued by this topic and decided to do more research to discover why the Yokai are depicted as evil. I got much help from my brother, who is a theology expert with vast knowledge.
Interestingly enough, when I shared a photo of the article on my blog, most of my audience wanted to know if the Yokai are truly evil.
Based on my research and information from my brother, I can confidently provide answers to this concern for everyone who is interested.
So, are Yokai evil?
Although there is no Bible verse that discusses the Yokai, the ancient Japanese believed in their existence. According to Japanese folklore, the Yokai can be completely evil, good, or mischievous. Many types of Yokai exist, including the Tengu that appear as priests and the Kappa that live beside the rivers. They are believed to have supernatural powers and can do whatever they may. Most Yokai became evil as a result of neglect. Therefore, the Japanese had to pay their respects to the Yokai to prevent them from turning evil or causing mischief.
Join me in this article as I unravel the origin of the Yokai myth and provide the answers to questions like whether the Yokai are dangerous, whether any of them are good, and what makes a Yokai evil.
We will also discuss whether the Yokai are demonic and much more.
Where Did the Myth of a Yokai Come From?
The myth of a Yokai originates from the ancient Japanese community. Its roots are based on a native Japanese religion, Shinto.
According to this religion, there were good spirits and kami, and the evil spirits were the Yokai. According to this community, any entity could do good or evil.
For instance, some Yokai were originally regular household items that stayed many years without use or were thrown away. These items could sometimes come to life and cause mischief around the home or go after revenge.
Are Yokai Dangerous?
Yes, the native Japanese believed that the evil Yokai were dangerous. They could play pranks, cause mischief, and scare people.
Such instances caused people to remain fearful in their homes or outside at night. The Yokai could make them stay apprehensive, not knowing when to expect an attack.
Some Yokai, such as the Kappa, were believed to be deadly. They stayed along rivers and were capable of drowning children.
As a result, parents discouraged the children from playing near the river.
Are the Good Yokai?
Yes, the Japanese believed that there were good Yokai capable of doing good deeds and helping people. In many cases, they worshipped or paid respects to the good Yokai.
In other words, the good Yokai were referred to as Kami. They also believed that the Yokai could become good if they received acknowledgment.
What Makes a Yokai Evil?
According to the native Japanese, most Yokai turned evil when the people neglected them or did not pay respect to them. They believed that entities had the capability of being good or evil.
Although these spirits were beyond their understanding, they believed that showing honor could prevent a good spirit from turning into a Yokai.
For instance, they were keen not to carelessly discard old household items or to neglect them for years.
Are Yokai Demonic?
No, according to ancient Japanese, Yokai were not demons. Rather, they were spirits or entities. However, they believed that some Yokai were capable of demonic deeds.
For instance, the Kappa were seen as evil and deadly. These Yokai lived along the rivers and could drown and kill children in the community.
As a Christian, I have always been passionate about sharing God’s word with young people. This inspired me to pursue a Certificate in Christian Education, an Undergraduate degree in Religious Studies, and a Graduate degree in Theology. My knowledge in school and experience from dealing with the youth made me an expert at discussing Christian-related topics. I feel privileged working as the Coordinator of the Christian Youth Ministry at Christian Faith Guide. You can read more about me on the about us page.
