Japanese Yokai: Inugami

We are continuing with the Yokai series!

Read about other Yokais: Kappa, Oni, Tengu and Yukionna!

(image from Wikipedia)

What is Inugami?

Ever heard of Inugami? It’s one of Japan’s spookier yokai—a dog spirit with a mix of loyalty and danger! Inugami (犬神) translates to "dog god" or "dog spirit," but despite the cute name, these spirits aren’t something you'd want to mess with. Inugami can either be fierce protectors or bringers of curses, depending on how they’re treated.

Kanji Breakdown

Let’s break down the kanji:

• 犬 (inu) means “dog” 🐶
• 神 (kami) means “god” or “spirit” 👻

Put together, Inugami literally means “dog spirit.” The combination of these kanji gives you a clue about its dual nature—it can be as loyal as a dog or as powerful as a deity!

Origins of Inugami

The origins of Inugami are rooted in ancient sorcery. They were created through a dark ritual involving a dog’s suffering. The process was quite gruesome: a dog would be buried up to its neck and starved, with food placed just out of reach. When the dog died, its angry spirit would be captured and used by sorcerers. These spirits were passed down through families known as Inugami-mochi (Inugami owners). 🐾

Inugami acted as powerful familiars, bringing fortune or misfortune. If treated well, they could protect and bring wealth, but mistreating them could lead to curses and chaos. Think of them as loyal dogs who could turn vicious if betrayed.

Inugami in Modern Culture

Even today, Inugami has a place in Japanese pop culture. You’ll find them in anime, manga, and games—though they’ve shifted a bit from their spooky origins. In series like GeGeGe no Kitaro, they’re portrayed as powerful but misunderstood spirits. You might also see them pop up in games like Nioh or Shin Megami Tensei, where they take on more monstrous forms.

(Nioh)

Inugami stories are also still part of local folklore in some regions, where they’re feared and respected. Some people even believe that families owning Inugami still exist today!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

Inugami stories are also still part of local folklore in some regions, where they’re feared and respected. Some people even believe that families owning Inugami still exist today!