also: あまんじゃく
noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
perversity; contrariness; perverse person; contrarian
Describes a person who deliberately does the opposite of what is expected or reasonable, or the trait itself. Often used in the phrase 天邪鬼な性格 (a contrary personality).
彼は天邪鬼だから、みんなが右と言えば左に行く。
He's such a contrarian that if everyone says right, he goes left.
天邪鬼な態度をとるのはやめなさい。
Stop taking such a perverse attitude.
noun
antagonistic demon in Japanese folklore
A mythical creature known for opposing and contradicting others; often depicted as a small demon or goblin that does the opposite of what it is told.
昔話に出てくる天邪鬼は、いつも人に逆らってばかりいる。
The amanojaku in old tales is always going against people.
noun
demon under the feet of temple guardian statues
In Buddhist iconography, a small demon figure trampled underfoot by guardian deities such as Niō, symbolizing the subjugation of evil.
仁王像の足元に踏まれている天邪鬼は、煩悩の象徴とされる。
The amanojaku trampled under the feet of the Niō statue is considered a symbol of worldly desires.