Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Kanji 怪 suspicious, mystery, apparition Related words 妖よう 怪かい 妖怪 is a broader term for all kinds of Japanese monsters and supernatural creatures, while 物の怪 specifically implies a malevolent or vengeful spirit.
幽ゆう 霊れい 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.
Written forms 物もの の 怪け Usage 76%
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
もののけ Usage 23%
Kana spelling is common in modern writing, especially in fantasy and folklore contexts.
モノノケ Usage <1%
物もの の 気け
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 気 can suggest a spirit or energy, but this spelling is uncommon.
Etymology 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.
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