all kinds of spirits and goblins; monsters of the mountains and rivers
A collective term for various supernatural beings, often associated with mountains, rivers, and wilderness. Used in classical and mythological contexts.
Mōryō is a general term for monsters said to dwell in mountains and rivers.
In old tales, scenes of mōryō leading people astray often appear.
妖怪 is the common modern word for a wide range of Japanese monsters and spirits, while 魍魎 is a more specific, classical term for mountain and river spirits.
物の怪 refers to vengeful or possessing spirits, often with a more personal or haunting nature, whereas 魍魎 is a broader category of wild, nature-dwelling monsters.
evil spirits of rivers and mountains; all kinds of monsters and demons
Standard kanji spelling for this mythological term.
Rarely used kanji form.
The term 魍魎 (mōryō) originates from Chinese mythology, where it referred to spirits of the mountains and rivers. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it has been used in Japanese classical literature to describe a class of supernatural beings.