evil spirit; vengeful ghost; specter
Refers to a malevolent supernatural being in Japanese folklore, often a spirit that possesses or curses people. Strongly associated with traditional tales and the Ghibli film 'Princess Mononoke'.
It is said that evil spirits live in this forest.
彼は物の怪に取り憑かれたように様子がおかしい。
He is acting strange, as if possessed by a vengeful ghost.
幽霊 is a general term for ghosts of the dead, often depicted as white-clad figures; 物の怪 carries a stronger sense of active malice and supernatural power.
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
Kana spelling is common in modern writing, especially in fantasy and folklore contexts.
Rarely used kanji form; 気 can suggest a spirit or energy, but this spelling is uncommon.
Historically written 物の気, combining 物 “an unidentified supernatural thing” with 気 “influence, presence.” It first denoted an uncanny or harmful supernatural influence and later the spirit believed to cause it.