taotie; mythological Chinese creature
Refers to a gluttonous monster from Chinese mythology, often depicted as a motif on ancient bronze vessels. Used in historical and art-historical contexts.
This bronze vessel is engraved with a taotie pattern.
Archaic extended meaning derived from the creature's insatiable appetite. Rarely used in modern Japanese outside of classical or literary contexts.
In old texts, 饕餮 is sometimes treated as a symbol of greed.
From Chinese 饕餮 (tāotiè), a mythical gluttonous creature. The Japanese reading とうてつ is the on'yomi. The extended meaning of 'greed' comes from the creature's legendary insatiability.