Inugami facts for kids
The Inugami (Japanese: 犬神) is a special kind of dog spirit in Japanese mythology. People describe it as a yōkai, which is a type of supernatural being or monster. Inugami often look like dogs, but they are believed to be very powerful spirits. They can even possess a human if they choose to.
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What is an Inugami?
Inugami are dog-like spirits from Japanese folklore. They are considered a type of yōkai, which means they are supernatural creatures. These spirits are often linked to old beliefs and stories in Japan. They are known for their strong powers.
How Inugami Were Believed to Be Created
Ancient Japanese folklore tells us about the beliefs surrounding the creation of an Inugami. People believed that a powerful spirit could be formed from a dog. This was thought to happen through a special, often dark, ritual. The stories say that a dog would be buried in a certain way. Then, the person performing the ritual would share their deepest troubles with the dog. When the dog passed away, its spirit was believed to become an Inugami. This new spirit was then thought to serve the person who created it.
Inugami and Japanese Families
Inugami were often connected to important clans and families in Japan. Some families were even thought to have Inugami spirits helping them. Because of this, these families sometimes gained fame and power very quickly. However, they were also sometimes accused of being possessed by a Kitsune, which is a spirit that looks like a fox. This shows how closely these powerful spirits were linked to the lives and reputations of certain families in old Japan.
Images for kids
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"Inugami" from the Gazu Hyakki Yagyō by Sekien Toriyama. The one on the bottom-left that looks like a child is a "shirachigo" (白児, "white infant") that was either the inugami's pupil or the yōkai child of a disabled person.
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Inugami (犬神) from Bakemono no e (化物之繪, c. 1700), Harry F. Bruning Collection of Japanese Books and Manuscripts, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
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A depiction of an inugami from Oka Kumaomi's Chiriyahokori
See also
In Spanish: Inugami para niños
