Yokai of Shikoku
The smallest of the four main islands, ringed by its 88-temple pilgrimage, Shikoku is famous in folklore as the domain of the tanuki — where the shapeshifting raccoon-dogs were said to hold rank and wage their own wars.
Red Bōzu
赤坊主A red-robed monk who turns up in three unrelated stories — a stolen temple bell, a court omen, and a lantern on the shore.
ominous
Okuri-inu
送り犬A dog that walks the mountain path behind you: stay on your feet and it sees you home, stumble and it is on you.
ambiguous
Gyobu-danuki
隠神刑部The tanuki who commanded eight hundred and eight others beneath Matsuyama castle, until a retainers' quarrel turned the whole clan out.
proud
Tasaburo-tanuki
太三郎狸The tanuki of Yashima, who would replay the Heike's last battle in the air for anyone who fed him well.
benevolent
Gagoze
元興寺One of the oldest recorded oni, a temple demon subdued by a superhuman young acolyte.
menacing
Yamachichi
山地乳A mountain ape-yokai that sucks a sleeper's breath: noticed, you live long; unnoticed, you die.
sinister
Inugami
犬神A dog-spirit familiar that serves a family but can be sent to curse their enemies.
sinister
Basan
波山A ghostly fire-breathing chicken whose cold flames give no heat.
elusive
Ushi-oni
牛鬼A savage ox-headed monster that haunts coasts and preys on humans.
fierce
Bake-danuki
狸A jolly shapeshifting raccoon dog, rival prankster to the fox.
playful