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Akuma

In its own language: 悪魔（あくま）

An evil spirit in Japanese folklore, later used for Satan in Christianity

Historical

Photo: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The akuma is an evil spirit found in Japanese folklore and Buddhist texts. It was later adopted as the standard translation for Satan in Japanese Christianity.

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  • Akuma means evil spirit in Japanese folklore
  • Term used for Satan in Japanese Christianity
  • Alternative name is ma
  • Depicted with fiery head and flaming eyes
  • Associated with possession and natural disasters

What it is

The akuma is a malevolent entity within Japanese folklore. English sources often label it a devil or demon. The term also serves as the name for Satan in Japanese Christian contexts. An alternative name for this spirit is ma. It represents a force of evil rather than a specific deity.

Where it comes from

Early references to the word appear in Buddhist writings. The term gained prominence in literature during the Heian period, which lasted from 794 to 1185 AD. After Christianity arrived in Japan, the word became the standard translation for Satan. This shift linked the folk concept to the Abrahamic figure.

Akuma, drawn and placed

Emblem With the feather shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.
  1. Living
  2. Revived
  3. Fading
  4. Historical
  5. Legendary
  6. Performed
Standing: Historical Documented in the past; no continuous living tradition today. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.
A feather: used in cleansing and blessing in some traditions, worn as a sign of office, and carried as a charm.
Lineage
Japanese folklore
Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

The akuma is associated with causing harm and misfortune. Seeing one is believed to bring bad luck. The spirit is said to possess individuals and trigger natural disasters. Historically, people have linked mental illness to the presence of these entities.

Peoples and places

The concept belongs to Japanese culture. It appears in historical texts and literary works from the Heian era. The term is now used in religious translations within Japan. No specific ethnic group outside Japan is mentioned in relation to this belief.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Japanese

Belief worlds

BuddhistChristian

What people believe

Folklore depicts the akuma with a fiery head and flaming eyes. It carries a sword as part of its appearance. The spirit is viewed as a harbinger of disaster. Its presence is feared for its ability to cause physical and mental distress through possession.

Questions people ask about Akuma

What is an akuma?

It is an evil spirit in Japanese folklore. English sources sometimes call it a devil or demon. The term is also used for Satan in Japanese Christianity.

Where does the word come from?

Early uses appear in Buddhist texts. The term became common in literature during the Heian period (794–1185 AD). Later, it was adopted to translate Satan.

How is it described?

It is depicted with a fiery head and flaming eyes. It carries a sword. It is seen as a source of misfortune and disaster.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Akuma (folklore)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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