Oni facts for kids

Oni are fascinating creatures from Japanese folklore. They are often described as powerful and scary, like ogres or demons. In Japan, these mythical beings are a big part of traditional stories, art, and festivals.

What are Oni?

Oni are usually shown as huge, scary beings with sharp claws, wild hair, and two or more horns growing from their heads. Their skin can be many colors, like red, blue, green, or black. They often wear loincloths made of tiger skin and carry big iron clubs called kanabō.

Oni are known for being very strong and sometimes evil. They can bring disasters or carry away people. However, not all oni are bad. In some stories, they can be helpful or even protectors. They are a bit like the trolls or giants you might hear about in other cultures' myths.

Oni in Stories and Festivals

You can find oni in many Japanese folktales and legends. They often appear as villains that heroes must defeat. For example, in the famous story of Momotarō (the Peach Boy), Momotarō and his animal friends fight a group of oni.

Oni are also important in Japanese festivals. One popular event is Setsubun, or the Bean-Throwing Festival. During Setsubun, people throw roasted soybeans to chase away oni and bad luck. Someone might even dress up as an oni, and others throw beans at them while shouting "Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!" which means "Oni out! Good luck in!"

Oni in Art and Culture

Oni appear in many forms of Japanese art, including paintings, sculptures, and theater. Their scary but sometimes funny faces are often seen on masks used in traditional plays. You might also see onigawara, which are special roof tiles shaped like an oni's face. These are placed on buildings to scare away evil spirits.

Other Meanings of Oni

The word "Oni" can also refer to other things:

• Oni, Georgia: This is a town located in the country of Georgia. It's a real place, not a mythical one!
• Oni (video game): This is a third-person shooter video game that was made by Bungie Studios. It came out in the year 2000.
• Oni (novel): This is a book written by an author named Marc Olden. It's a fictional story about a Russian and Japanese terrorist.

What is ONI?

Sometimes, "ONI" is used as an abbreviation for other things:

• The Office of Naval Intelligence: This is a part of the United States Navy. It's their main center for gathering and understanding information about naval activities around the world.

Images for kids

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  An oni menaces the monk Kūkai as he practices the tantra. Painting by Hokusai (1760–1849).

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  Oni, as illustrated in Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki by Toriyama Sekien.

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  This oni (ogre) tramples a hapless villain in Beppu, Oita, Oita Prefecture, a famous onsen hot springs resort on the island of Kyushu in Japan.

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  Onigawara on the roof of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.

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  Oni in pilgrim's clothing. Tokugawa period. Hanging scroll, ink and color on paper. 59.2 by 22.1 centimetres (23.3 in × 8.7 in)

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  Depiction of an oni chanting a Buddhist prayer. The oni (ogre or demon) is dressed in the robes of a wandering Buddhist priest. He carries a gong, a striker, and a hogacho (Buddhist subscription list). By Kawanabe Kyōsai, 1864.

See also

In Spanish: Oni (folclore japonés) para niños